Conservation Clips is a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. These articles are not indicative of NACD policy and are the opinions of their authors, unless otherwise noted. If you have a relevant submission or need assistance with accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
NACD Blog: CARCD Celebrates Pollinator Week with a Focus on the Western Monarch Butterfly
By Nancy Wahl-Scheurich
06/22/21
The western monarch butterfly population has declined over 99 percent in the past 20 years. Western monarch counts in 2020 were the lowest yet, and the next several years will be a critical time to bring back the butterflies from a path to extinction, so CARCD has made monarch conservation a high priority.
Kelly Armstrong: ICYMI: For greater sage grouse success, local control matters
By Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) and National Association of Conservation Districts President Michael Crowder
06/17/21
When local conservation is properly supported, landowners can make the best possible decisions for their lands and the many species that call them home. With locally led conservation driving decisions, we all win – the greater sage-grouse included.
MSN: For greater sage grouse success, local control matters
By Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) and Michael Crowder
06/18/21
Local resources like conservation districts exist across every county in the U.S. and offer tested, trusted relationships with landowners in their communities, providing locally led conservation expertise and technical assistance.
From Press: For greater sage grouse success, local control matters
06/17/21
Conservation district staff work with landowners to make appropriate land management decisions to not only conserve natural resources, but to establish and fortify biologically diverse habitat, including for endangered, threatened, or at-risk species.
Prairie Farmer: Legislature offers glimmer of conservation hope
By Holly Spangler
06/17/21
Illinois General Assembly votes to double funding for soil and water conservation districts, where technical staff has been decimated by funding cuts over the past decade.
The Malibu Times: Resource Conservation District Doing Good Things in the Santa Monica Mountains
By Jimy Tallal
06/22/21
Ever wonder who keeps an eye on whether there are any endangered steelhead trout or red-legged frogs left in Malibu’s creeks? Or who comes up with the plans for restoring areas near the mouths of Trancas and Topanga creeks back into lagoons? It’s the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM).
Daily Herald: McHenry County Conservation District hosts ‘Webby Wednesdays’
06/21/21
The McHenry County Conservation District is bringing exploration of the natural world to your home! The “Webby Wednesdays” program utilizes the Zoom communications platform allowing education staff to immerse participants in a local savanna, prairies or wetland, and bring animals to life.
Journal of the San Juans: Learn how to operate, rent a no-till drill
06/21/21
The San Juan Islands Conservation District is implementing a program to rent out their Great Plains 606NT No-Till Seed Drill for use by San Juan County farmers. Join the Conservation District, WSU Extension, and Natural Plant Solutions for an upcoming training to learn the basics of operating and renting the drill.
Click on Detroit: Residents urged to share environmental concerns through conservation survey
06/22/21
Washtenaw County residents could win $100 Visa gift cards for sharing their concerns about area natural resources and environmental issues through a new survey from the Washtenaw County Conservation District.
Post Register: Three conservation projects funded by new Salmon area partnership
06/22/21
The first project is the Lemhi Soil and Water Conservation District plan to move a “problematic” diversion on the Lemhi River to aid fish habitat restoration. “The area has been identified as critical habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead,” the program said in a news release. The project was allotted $85,000.
Royal Examiner: Conservation partners launch 4theSoil awareness initiative
06/14/21
Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are teaming up with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition to raise awareness for soil health and show more Virginians why they should be “4 the Soil.”
Growing America: National Pollinator Week
06/22/21
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proclamation to recognize the designation of the week of June 21 – 27, 2021 as National Pollinator Week.
Westchester County Government: Riparian Buffer Installed at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
06/1721
Perennials, shrubs and trees have been planted next to the Cross River in the Kimberly Bridge Picnic Area of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River. This riparian buffer will serve as a model for residents, municipalities and businesses to emulate along watercourses, wetlands and water bodies throughout Westchester County as interpretive signs have been installed for educational purposes.
NPR: New Wildfires Are At A 10-Year High In The Hot, Dry Western U.S.
06/17/21
The number of new wildfires in the U.S. so far this year is at a ten-year high, according to federal data, prompting warnings of a long, potentially dangerous summer of fire.
DW: US farming: Lessons in sustainability from the Meskwaki Nation
By Christian Elliot
06/22/21
Among the vast monocrop fields in central Iowa, the indigenous community practices regenerative agriculture. Could it provide inspiration for farmers battling climate change?
KJZZ: NAU Researchers Find Forest Treatments Have Long-lasting Effects
By Ron Dungan
06/14/21
A group of researchers at Northern Arizona University recently studied the effects of thinning and burning in small areas throughout the state. Their research shows that treatments might last for at least two decades.
The University of Vermont: Optimizing Soil Health to Fight Climate Change
By Rachel Leslie
06/22/21
Team of UVM researchers join $23M nationwide effort to help U.S. dairy farmers improve sustainability through optimal soil health management.
Civil Eats: Small Farmers in California Face Tough Choices Amidst Drought
By Hannah Ricker
06/18/21
After a historically dry winter, some growers are farming less land, switching crops, and trucking in water, or taking the season off entirely.
E&E News: House approves water quality, disaster relief bills
By Kylie Mohr
06/16/21
(Subscriber Only) The House approved a handful of water quality, estuary restoration and disaster relief bills with bipartisan support.
Genetic Literacy Project: Viewpoint: Carbon negative farming? Cover crops, rotational grazing and no till agriculture could capture greenhouse gas emissions
By Lucy Stiltzer
06/18/21
“I ranch for the soil. We are part of a pilot program where our carbon is measured by the Ecosystems Services Market Consortium, a subsidiary of the Soil Health Institute. Our ranch is sequestering 2,500 tons of carbon (after enteric emissions) each year – equivalent to taking 551 cars off the road.”
WMUR: More than 50 state-owned dams need major repairs, environmental officials say
By Mike Cherry
06/16/21
As lawmakers in Washington continue to debate what belongs in President Joe Biden’s proposed infrastructure bill, New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services is urging the U.S. Treasury to earmark funds for dams. DES officials said more than 50 state-owned dams need major repairs.
MPR News: Minn. farmers: Cashing in on the carbon bank, fighting climate change?
By Dan Gunderson
06/22/21
Krusemark’s family was already committed to the type of agriculture that’s focused on developing healthier soil — including many of the same practices that make them eligible to sell carbon credits.
E&E News: Governor signs $100M wildfire funding plan
06/21/21
(Subscriber Only) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) on Friday signed a bill rushed through in a special legislative session that provides $100 million in funding this year to battle wildfires, react to the damage they cause and create a new force of more than 700 state inmates to clear brush.
Penn Live: Breaking down the effects of a drought that is affecting the entire Western U.S.
06/20/21
Almost half of the U.S. has been in a drought since the start of 2021. Compounding factors, including low rainfall and snowpack, climate change and persisting droughts from previous years, have escalated into extreme dryness.
Phys.org: Changes in farming practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2036
06/21/21
Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory participated in a study that shows innovation in technologies and agricultural practices could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from grain production by up to 70 percent within the next 15 years.
UC Santa Cruz: New study shows how loss of drought-sensitive species could affect health of California grasslands
By Allison Arteaga Soergel
06/21/21
A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows how the health of a California grassland might be affected in a future with less biodiversity and a changing climate, particularly in the case of more frequent droughts.