| 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: NACD Summer Conservation Forum & Tours TA Grant Participant: Wyvette Robinson This blog post is part of a seven-part series highlighting technical assistance (TA) grant recipient participation at NACD’s Summer Conservation Forum and Tours in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This post’s author, Wyvette Robinson of the Hinds County Soil and Water Conservation District in MS, attended the meeting with a TA stipend.
USDA: Biden-Harris Administration Launches New Efforts to Address the Wildfire Crisis USDA announced expanded efforts to reduce wildfire risk across the western U.S. These investments, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, will directly protect at-risk communities and critical infrastructure across 11 additional landscapes in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Agri-Pulse: USDA Looking for Simplified Rural Development Application Process (Subscriber only) Agriculture Department leaders are looking to ensure that billions in government funding are easier to access by the rural communities many federal programs are meant to serve. Phys.org: Global Study of Hypoxia in Rivers Shows it is More Prevalent than Previously Thought New research shows hypoxia in rivers and streams is generally much more prevalent across the globe than previously thought. Hypoxia is low or depleted oxygen levels in surface waters that can be harmful to aquatic species and can in some cases increase production of harmful greenhouse gases from rivers. Morning Ag Clips: Land O’ Lakes Truterra Launches 2023 Carbon Program As part of sustainability services, Truterra’s 2023 carbon program is now open for enrollment. This launch is part of a broader effort to work with more farmers to encourage adoption of regenerative farming practices. Morning Ag Clips: Commodity Classic Announces Main Stage Line-Up for 2023 The nation’s leading agriculture experts and well-known personalities will be featured on the Main Stage during the 2023 Commodity Classic held March 9-11 in Orlando.
The Progress: Conservation District Plans Six Projects, Cover Crop Incentive Program with Grant Funding The Clearfield County Conservation District was recently awarded $117,404 from the state Department of Environmental Protection. Using these funds, the district has planned three farm projects and three stream projects. It will also continue the cover crop reimbursement program this year. Maui Now: Reps. Case and Tokuda Announce $2.5M in USDA funds for Invasive Species Prevention Hawaii congressional representatives Case and Tokuda recently announced that the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will award more than $2.5 million to Hawaiʻi’s Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program. Morning Ag Clips: SDSU Extension to Kick Off Crop Hour Webinar Series in January The South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension will once again, deliver a series of virtual Crop Hour webinars this winter. Starting Jan. 24, every Tuesday through Thursday participants are invited to take their coffee break with us online to get up to date on the latest in crop management and agronomic research from SDSU Extension. Greenville Journal: Anderson County Watershed Protection Council Awards Grants to Help Clean Up Local Waterways The Anderson County Watershed Protection Council announced Jan. 13 that it is awarding grants to help clean up local waters to two recipients. One recipient will be the Anderson Soil and Water Conservation District. Aspen Public Radio: Millions of Mountain West Acres are Part of USDA’s New Wildfire Strategy In the Mountain West, the money targets a total of nearly 10 million acres. Funding will go towards fuels treatments, watershed restoration projects, forest management, hazardous fuel reduction efforts, and restoration of old-growth forests near underserved communities and tribal land. KTUL: Oklahoma State Students Create Butterfly Pocket Prairie for Pollinators Oklahoma State University students built a 122-foot butterfly in a prairie that will cut down on land maintenance costs and improve biodiversity. Guard Online: Monitoring Streamflow in Small-Scale Watersheds Researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station have developed an economical method to monitor rainwater surges in small streams. Penobscot Bay Pilot: Learn About Rain Gardens and Other Water Management Techniques for Your Property The All of Belfast Climate Dialogues project of the Belfast Free Library will host Rebecca Jacobs, program manager from the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District for a presentation, “Rain Gardens and Other Water Management Techniques for Your Property.” WITN: Onslow County Soil and Water Conservation District Begins Stream Cleanup The Onslow County Soil and Water Conservation District will begin its work to clear streams by removing downed trees and debris. The district received a grant from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture to help restore a large portion of Backswamp and Squires Run Creek. Indiana Prairie Farmer: Funding Boost for Indiana Soil Conservation Long Overdue The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts submitted The Next Level Conservation on Indiana’s Working Lands proposal, calling for an $8.6 million annual increase for Clean Water Indiana. Manistee News Advocate: Tree, Shrub Planting Programs Slated for February Tree and shrub planting will be the topic of discussion at two upcoming presentations hosted by the Manistee Conservation District in February. IANR News: Soil Health Conference Set for Feb. 9 at Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center Registration is open for the 2023 Eastern Nebraska Soil Health Conference, which will take place on Thursday, February 9 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead. NRCS: NRCS in Texas Announces Second Sign-Up for Three Regional Conservation Partnership Program Projects in FY 2023 The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas announced an application cutoff date of February 24 for the Hill Country Headwaters Conservation Initiative, Restoring Flow in Comanche Springs, and the Greater Big Bend Partnership through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. USDA: Conservation Partners to Target Salmon Habitat in Whatcom County The Whatcom Conservation District is working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and partners through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to provide financial and technical assistance for landowners and producers to improve salmon habitat in the northern Puget Sound area. Alexandria Echo Press: New Grant Available to Help Improve Minnesota’s Soil Health Applications are now open for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s new Soil Health Financial Assistance Pilot Program soil health equipment grants. Public Now: Minnehaha Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Announces Application Date The Minnehaha Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Conservation Implementation Strategy Project is entering its third year in northeastern Minnehaha County, working to improve land quality. This 3-year project is one of 17 selected in Fiscal Year 2021 and federally-funded through NRCS. Bonner County Daily Bee: Meeting Shows Local Soil Science in Action In collaboration with the Pend Oreille and Stevens County conservation districts, the local chapter of the Soil Health Stewards group aims to establish a producer-driven soil health research network relative to the region’s needs. Courier Express: Conservation District Announces Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Grants Clearfield County Conservation District has announced projects awarded funding through the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Program. The program offers funding to help address stream pollution from runoff and sediment. |