| 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: NACD 2023 Annual Meeting TA Grant Participant: Kyle Lemoine This blog post is part of series highlighting technical assistance (TA) grant recipient participation at the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) 77th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. This post’s author Kyle Lemoine of Southern Rhode Island Conservation District in RI, attended the meeting with a TA stipend. NACD: Caldwell-Travis SWCD Engages Community on the Importance of Preserving Working Lands with Help from a Friends of NACD District Grant The Caldwell-Travis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) saw the need to expand dialogue with area residents, both new and established, on the importance of preserving working lands. With a Friends of NACD District Grant, the district ramped up its engagement with the public at-large and partnered with local agricultural organizations while increasing visibility in the community.
USDA: USDA Invests $8 Million in Partnerships to Expand Measurement and Monitoring of Soil Carbon on Working Agricultural Lands The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $8 million in four partnerships to support and expand measurement and monitoring of carbon in soil on working agricultural lands and to assess how climate-smart practices are affecting carbon sequestration. USDA: Use of Precision Ag Technologies to Strengthen Croplands Conservation Efforts and Farm Profitability On June 22 the USDA Agricultural Research Service will present findings from research efforts to strengthen cropland conservation and profitability with precision ag technologies. These findings inform management decisions on a USDA research farm to prioritize high-yield areas for crop production. U.S. Department of the Interior: Share Biden-Harris Administration Announces $161 Million for Landscape Restoration The Department of the Interior announced plans to infuse $161 million into ecosystem restoration and resilience on the nation’s public lands. This work, led by the Bureau of Land Management, will focus on 21 “Restoration Landscapes” across 11 western states. NRCS: NRCS Promotes National Dam Safety Awareness Day Age affects everything, including watershed infrastructure. Attention and ongoing maintenance is the responsibility of both the dam owner and the community it serves. To help communities remain vigilant, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers dam safety resources for communities.
Texas Water Resources Institute: Hundreds of Texas Students Produce Environmental Science Videos for Slingshot Challenge Thanks to tireless schoolteachers, students’ ingenuity and hard work, and support from Texas A&M AgriLife professionals, this spring hundreds of middle and high school students in Texas produced educational videos about environmental science for the National Geographic Slingshot Challenge. KXNET: Cover Crop Grant Program Aims to Improve Soil Health Across ND Farmers are always trying to keep their soil healthy each year — and now, there’s a program to help. Applications are now available for a conservation program aimed at improving soil health across the state. The Express: $30K Grant Awarded to Conservation District, Watershed Association The Coldwater Heritage Partnership recently announced its grant funded projects for 2023, and Clinton County will be the recipient of close to $30,000 in funds aimed at building trout habitat in Fishing Creek and Trout Run. Shaw Local News Network: McHenry County Conservation District Launches ‘Find Your Wild’ Summer Challenge McHenry County Conservation District invites visitors to “Find Your Wild” and join an interactive journey through the county’s conservation areas all summer long. Bay City News: Fire Agencies to Conduct Prescribed Burns in North Bay Fire agencies will be doing prescribed burn to create an annual fuel along Highway 128. The project is a collaboration between Cal Fire, the Napa-Solano Audubon Society, local landowners, the Yolo County Resource Conservation District, Yolo County Office of Emergency Services and Caltrans. Newsbug: Kids’ Summer Day Camps Offered by Vermilion County Conservation District Vermilion County Conservation District holds summer camp programs for children to learn about wildlife and the great outdoors. Guided by experienced camp counselors, the activities will help children explore their natural world through hands-on discoveries, hiking excursions, and art. USDA: USDA Grant Helps University of Hawaii Train Farmers in their Native Languages In Hawaii, USDA is helping partners come together to provide language-appropriate outreach to Thai, Lao, Ilocano, Chinese, and other immigrant farmers. The work is funded through USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program. Augusta Free Press: Headwaters Soil & Water Conservation District to Host Free Workshop with Cost Share Information Local farmers and homeowners are invited to a free Cost Share Open House hosted by the Headwaters Soil & Water Conservation District. The two-hour introductory workshop will discuss Virginia cost share and conservation programs, as well as conservation best management practices on farms and in backyards. Albuquerque Journal: How to Harvest Rainwater: County Puts Out Guide for Water Collection, Conservation Bernalillo County in partnership with Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District and the Arid Low Impact Development Coalition, have put together a step-by-step guide on getting started collecting rainwater from the roof to the landscape. Morning Ag Clips: Over 2,000 Farmers Participating in Program to Improve Ohio Water Quality The Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative announced that over 2,000 northwest Ohio farmers have become involved in the organization’s certification program since its rollout in early 2020. The program helps farmers take their conservation efforts to the next level with a free analysis that allows them to better manage on-farm nutrients to improve water quality. NRCS: Kansas NRCS Announces Additional Funds Available to Land Owners and Operators through the Inflation Reduction Act Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced additional funding available to Kansas producers and landowners for both financial and technical assistance through the Inflation Reduction Act. |