TY - JOUR T1 - Guest editorial JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 517 LP - 517 VL - 49 IS - 6 AU - Richard L. Duesterhaus Y1 - 1994/11/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/49/6/517.abstract N2 - The NRI is a significant scientific achievement that will help us to make better informed and reasonable decisions about our natural resources. This year, the Soil Conservation Service released the most comprehensive, statistically reliable database on the condition and trends of the nation's soil, water, and related resources ever conducted—the 1992 National Resources Inventory (NRI). The NRI shows us how we as a nation are doing as we strive to sustain our natural resources. How are the nation's 1.5 billion acres of non-federal land being used? Are we making progress in reducing erosion? In conserving wetlands? What additional conservation treatments are needed? Answers to these and other questions provided by the NRI guide us in designing programs and environmental and agricultural policies for the United States—programs and policies that will make agriculture stronger and the environment healthier at the same time. The 1992 NRI shows that we are making significant progress in improving the environment even as U.S. consumers continue to enjoy good, abundant food at low prices. Soil erosion has decreased and conversion of wetlands has slowed. The technology of data collection has advanced considerably over the 60 ER -