One of our tasks on Earth is stewardship of our natural environment. EarthWERCs with land managers, and scientists can help you understand how to work with natural ecosystems, waterways, forests, gardens, lawns, orchards and farm land to help them become healthier, sustainable and productive.
Your land needs the correct balance of micro-organisms, plants, animals and nutrients to develop a more permanent resiliency to invasive species, pests and pollution. At EarthWERC, we mix an effective blend of science, art and experience into helping our customers care for their land as a thriving ecosystem.
The ultimate test for the land is not in the laboratory but in the quality and quantity of life supported in carbon-rich soils. As a member or customer of EarthWERC’s you will receive a copy of our book “The Carbon Catcher Program” and informative newsletter to help with the life-long learning of our earth.
Carbon Catcher program seeks to recognize pioneers and publicize their work on understanding the relationship soil carbon has to water and soil fertility.

Site Suitability Analysis:

Site suitability involves matching landowner goals with the ability of the land to support those goals and long-term objectives. This analysis is typically conducted onsite with the landowner to physically walk the land and determine their goals. The landowner receives a feasibility analysis on how achievable their goals are and the financial implications of achieving these goals. Grant or cost-share possibilities as well as tax classification implications will also be outlined where applicable.

Natural Resource Inventory and Management Plan:

A good inventory of the resources on hand is vital to achieving your goals and objectives. A typical inventory includes detailed soils information as well as a Native Plant Community determination. Existing resources are documented as to the abundance, health and site suitablity. Information on landscape level impacts to your property are also highlighted.

Once the inventory is complete a detailed plan will be laid out to meet the landowners goals. This plan will include short term recommendations to meet your long range objectives. The plan will include specifications, materials, and time frames to fully complete the plan as well as estimated project costs. Emphasis of the plans is on long-term sustainability, utilization of local resources, and the creation of stabile, resilient, productive landscapes.

Plan Implementation and Installation:

EARTH WERC can fully implement the plan once completed. We will advertise the project to competent professionals and work with the landowner to chose the most appropriate contractors. We will ensure that all specifications are met and the project phase is completed to the landowner's satisfaction.

EARTH WERC Land Management Consultant: Jim Chamberlin

Jim has an A.A.S. in Natural Resource Management with over ten years experience in the field. He has had ongoing professional training or certification in; Forest Stewardship Plan writing, landscape design, land measurement, wetland delineation, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, aerial photo interpretation, geographic information systems, ecological classification systems, sustainable agriculture, Permaculture, and agroforestry.

This diversity of training and experience gives Jim the ability to manage any size landscape, from a third acre lake lot to large forests and agricultural operations. His passion is to design low maintenance landscapes that mimic natural systems, conserve energy, and utilize water as an asset while producing food and fiber.

For 10 years Jim has been a certified Forest Stewardship Plan writer and has conducted timber sale layout. He holds a Certificate in Ecological Silviculture through the University of MN Sustainable Education Cooperative and utilizes this in all aspects of land management. Jim is on the Board of the Minnesota Forestry Association and a member of the Northwoods Forestry Cooperative.

Jim has been an organic gardener for 25 years. Agricultural conservation and the knowledge of federal conservation cost share programs is another asset he brings. Agro-forestry has been an interest and he has pursued this on his own farm as well as training others professionally. Soil biology and nutrient management are the foundation of healthy landscapes and is something he strives to understand and apply.

Jim worked for Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District, Baxter, MN as a Forestry Technician in charge of Forestry Stewardship Plan Writing, technical implementation of the Wetland Conservation Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System site inspections, stormwater management and runoff modeling, shoreline restorations, tree sale programs, environmental education and outreach, public speaking.

Contact Earthwerc at 218-831-0528 or E-mail - Click here

In a partnership with the CQUEST application, a new national map has been developed at 1-km resolution from the Sperow et al. data set. Non-agricultural lands (forests, wetlands, deserts) have been excluded from the mapping estimates, based on the latest 1-km land cover product from the NASA MODIS sensor. Because federal grazing lands were excluded from original NRI soil carbon samples, they have also been removed from the mapping procedure using data reported in the NRI.

The units for change in soil carbon stocks have been converted to g C per m2 per year, in part to facilitate comparisons to the NASA-CASA model and other independent predictions of carbon changes in cropland and grazing land soils. Results show that changes in land use and agricultural management have resulted in a net gain of 17.1 MMT (million metric tons) C in U.S. agricultural soils over the period from 1982 to 1997.