The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) eVegGuide is a technical desicion support tool used by conservation planners, landowners, and restoration practitioners to select appropriate plants and seed mixes for conservation practices.

The guide helps users choose vegetation based on:

- Conservation practice (cover crop, hedgerow, riparian planting, range planting, pollinator planting, etc.)

-Region/MLRA (Major Land Resource Area)

-Wildlife and pollinator value

-Native vs. introduced species

-Seeding methods and rates

 

The following instructions will focus on identifying hedgerow species using the eVegGuide.

 

Step 1: Go to the USDA NRCS California eVegGuide website at https://www.calflora.org/nrcs/ as shown below.

 

 

Step 2: Click on the “SIGN IN – REGISTER” link (upper right corner) to create user account.

 

 

Step 3: Select “MAKE A NEW ACCOUNT’ link shown below.

 

 

Step 4: Fill out information boxes to create user profile account.

 

 

 

Step 5: Once you are logged in, use mouse cursor to select location (location conservation practice is to be implemented) on the map. Note: area selected on map is denoted by red cross, and will show the name of the MLRA (Major Land Resource Area). Hollister was selected for this example and is part of the Central California Coastal Valleys MLRA.

 

 

Step 6: Select “Search Criteria” link.

 

 

 

Step 7: Choose appropriate agronomic “Practice” to be implemented. Note: Hedgerow Planting was selected for this example. 

 

 

 

Step 8: Choose “Purpose” dropdown box, "Irrigated" (how long irrigation is required) dropdown box, and “Plant Type” check box. Note: for this example, attract pollinators, 3 years irrigated, shrub, pollinator habitat, and native were chosen.  Select “Search” to bring up a tabulated list of native hedgerow planting shrub species that attract pollinators based on your location

 

Step 9: The tabulated list provides information (growth cycle, bloom period, spacing, ease rating) for individual species, as well as footnotes containing info for more specific considerations.

 

Note: More information about the USDA NRCS California eVegGuide website is available under the “Help” tab.