| 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.
USDA: Urban Producers, Public Invited to Attend April Meeting of Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages urban producers, innovative producers and other stakeholders to submit comments for and virtually attend a public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on April 18. BLM: Interior Department Releases Proposed Plan to Guide the Balanced Management of Public Lands Public Lands Rule provides tools for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to conserve wildlife habitat, restore places impacted by wildfire and drought, and expand outdoor recreation. Successful Farming: The National Cover Crop Survey is Open for Farmer Insight The National Cover Crop Survey has been extended until Thursday, April 6. The 10-15 minute survey helps gather insight from farmers who plant cover crops, as well as those that do not. American Farmland Trust: Outcomes Estimation Tools Webinar Training Series With support from EPA and the Walton Family Foundation, American Farmland Trust is providing project managers with an Outcomes Estimation Webinar Series to aid in their quantification of outcomes associated with farm conservation practices. USDA: USDA Asks Americans to Protect Plants by Looking for Invasive Pests in April The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is declaring April 2023 Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month, dedicated to highlighting the impact of invasive plant pests and diseases on plants nationwide and informing Americans how they can help reduce their spread. Ag Info Network: National Association of Conservation Districts Monitoring Carbon Farming and Inclusion Issues National Association of Conservation Districts Secretary-Treasurer, Mark Masters talks about carbon markets and the importance of reaching historically underserved producers when implementing conservation programs and getting conservation work done at the local level.
The News Tribune: Reading, Writing, Salmonoids. Tacoma Kids Learn the Importance of Iconic Fish by Raising Them Students from two Tacoma Public Elementary Schools learn about importance of our local salmon as part of the Foss Waterway Seaport Salmon in the Classroom program supported by a partnership between the education teams at the Foss Waterway Seaport, and Pierce Conservation District. Texas A&M: Central Texas Fuels Reduction Grant Opened April 1 Central Texas landowners can now apply for the State Fire Assistance for Mitigation Mechanical Fuels Reduction Grant to help reduce risks posed to their property by wildfire. Thirty-two counties in Central Texas are eligible for funding. Applications are due April 30, 2023. KBBI: Homer Soil and Water Conservation District Hosts Classes on Soil Health and Seeds The Homer Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting an ongoing series of classes on soil and seeds just in time for spring planting. KPRC 2: Houston Arboretum to Host Interactive Symposium on Ecological Restoration in Urban Areas The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center will be hosting an interactive environmental symposium to connect area practitioners to share knowledge and discuss larger conservation initiatives. Independent Advocate: Cover Crop Workshop Highlights Conservation and Financial Advantages Central Iowa farmers gathered last week to learn about cover crops at a workshop sponsored by Iowa Learning Farms and the Warren County Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS: Forest Management Glow-Up for “Grandmother” With the help of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Cathy Bleser and Dan Krunnfusz of Iowa County extend their passion for conservation stewardship on their remote Driftless Area property, affectionately nicknaming the oak trees they have worked to restore. NRCS: May 1, 2023 Deadline for Whitman County Conservation Funding The Palouse River Watershed Partnership is pleased to announce $500,000 in conservation easement funding assistance for permanent land conservation in Whitman County. Boise State Public Radio: High School Students Find Invasive Species in Idaho Waterways During part of a special hands-on learning project from the University of Idaho Extension Department, students discovered a species of invasive swamp crayfish in local waterways. Virginia Mercury: New Grant Funding Model Aims to Help Hampton Residents Fight Shoreline Erosion A new Hampton program aims to help residents address shoreline erosion with funds through the state’s Virginia Conservation Assistance Program in partnership with the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District. The Express: Conservation District Announces $85K Grant to Improve Fish Habitat in Fishing Creek The Clinton County Conservation District secured an $85,000 grant to help rebuild habitats for fish along the creek as well as help stabilize erosion. UCONN: Urban Forestry and Arboriculture Program Prepares Students to Serve Industry Needs The urban forestry and arboriculture program at the University of Connecticut’s (UCONN) College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is expanding to provide students with an education that will prepare them to work in this rapidly growing field. MSU Extension: Soil Testing Returns Through MSU Extension! The Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is pleased to announce the launch of a new soil testing program for Michigan home gardeners and commercial growers. Hay & Forage Grower: Strip-Grazed Fall Cover Crops Offer Benefits Participants in a recent University of Nebraska Extension research project comparing continuous grazing to strip grazing fall-grown cover crops have seen improvements in soil health and weed control on their land. Maryland DNR: Maryland DNR Announces Federal Funds Available for Outdoor Recreation Space Near Military Installations The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting preliminary applications for the recently announced Land and Water Conservation Fund and Readiness Environmental Protection Integration Challenge Program. Farm Progress: Cover Crops Can Help Fight Herbicide-Resistant Weeds University of Wisconsin research shows that incorporating cereal rye into corn or soybean fields can help reduce weed pressure and potential yield loss. News Bulletin: Community Conservation: Recruiting and Training Youth for Fire Season and Team Building The Valencia County Fire Department and Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District have been able to take advantage of state grant funding to provide hands-on, paid experience to local youth to carry out community and conservation projects. |