| 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 Government Affairs Update: Supreme Court Releases Opinion on WOTUS Definition On May 25, the Supreme Court released an opinion in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will impact which wetlands are considered adjacent to waters of the United States (WOTUS) and therefore, whether those wetlands are under state or federal jurisdiction. One Water News: Conservation Districts Promote One Water Concept Nationwide The One Water concept is garnering significant attention among the natural resource conservation community in 2023, having been featured as the theme for the recent annual Stewardship Week of the National Association of Conservation Districts. Courthouse News Service: Millions in Federal Funding Set to Restore Public Lands Across Western States The Bureau of Land Management announced on Wednesday that it is receiving $161 million in federal funding to restore several landscapes across the western United States, an effort the agency says will create jobs and recreational opportunities while improving water quality and critical habitats. Anthropocene: 40% of Their Study Area Used No Till Farming. Researchers Asked What if it Was 100%? Results Were Astounding. The researchers’ model showed that expanding soil health practices such as implementing no-till across the entire midwestern region could reduce projected soil losses by 95% over the next 100 years. EPA: Registration Open for EPA Grants Webinar Series The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a series of three webinars for assistance agreement (grant) applicants and recipients. During each webinar, EPA staff will review key aspects of EPA’s grants processes and requirements, and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions. NPR: Extreme Canadian Wildfire Smoke Shrouds Parts of the U.S. For the past several weeks, smoke from the wildfires have been pushing into the U.S. The National Weather Service has issued several air quality alert over the past several days for various areas across the country. Farm Progress: Large Grant Encourages Cover Crops in North Carolina Soybeans The North Carolina Soybean Producers Association hopes a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant will help to incentivize and increase cover crops in North Carolina. Pennsylvania DEP: DEP Announces Funding For Environmental Education Projects For Youth And Adults In Northcentral Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today awarded a little over $1 million in 2022 Environmental Education Grant funding to 73 projects statewide, including 10 projects in the northcentral region. Enterprise-Record: University Lab Works to Improve Soil Health A professor in the Agriculture Department at Chico State established the Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration Lab at the university in 2017; he described it as “a service to agriculture and the community.” Brownfield Ag News: Michigan Grant Supports Expanded Cover Crops Michigan agriculture and environmental groups have received $900,000 to support cover crop adoption across the state through the Farmers for Soil Health partnership. Farm and Dairy: The True Cost of Soil Erosion Sedimentation is the number one resource concern in all of eastern Ohio. Soil erosion has many effects, both at the site and elsewhere. Loss of soil productivity is the main effect, but sedimentation and increased nutrient load of waterways and reservoirs are common. Maryland DNR: Maryland DNR Completes Shoreline Restoration in Dorchester County The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the completion of shoreline construction at Hurst Creek in Dorchester County, the second of the department’s 24 Resiliency through Restoration Initiative pilot projects. Natural Resources Conservation Service: Our Amazing Grasslands Partners of the 2023 Grassland Stewardship Communications Project release a short video story each month to promote health soils, grasslands, and ecosystems. The June video showcases the work of the Bien Family in South Dakota. WQCS: USDA Investing $265M for Watershed Protection Infrastructure in 16 States, Including Florida The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $265 million in 28 Emergency Watershed Protection infrastructure projects in 16 states, including Florida. WCCS: Indiana County Conservation District Receives Environmental Education Grant Money The Indiana County Conservation District is set to receive $8,955 that will go towards education principles and public outreach efforts. The initiative will incorporate “current and relevant” climate change and water quality information, hands-on materials, engaging activities, age-appropriate lessons, and in-person workshops. Red Lake Nation News: New Program Helps Farmers Diversify Crop Rotations, Protect Soil and Water Eligible Minnesota growers can now receive financial and technical assistance when they add specified cover crops to their rotations. All of these crops grow over the winter, providing the soil health and water quality benefits of cover crops while also producing grain and/or forage that can be harvested and sold. KFYR: North Dakota Game and Fish Running Meadowlark Initiative to Sustain Native Grasslands North Dakota Game and Fish is aiming to help the decline of prairies statewide through the Meadowlark Initiative. One of the efforts of the Meadowlark Initiative is planting native grassland species throughout the state. The Daily Californian: UC Berkeley Research Reveals Cover Cropping Could Potentially Mitigate Climate Change A study by UC Berkeley’s Agroecology Lab on cover cropping revealed findings that show implementation of this practice in farms during their off season could mitigate carbon emissions. Southern Farm Network Today: Addressing Soil Health in Urban Agriculture Maryland is the first state in the country to offer a grant to help urban farmers plant cover crops. The state’s Small Acreage Cover Crop Program helps meet the need for technical assistance on urban farms. Morning Ag Clips: USDA Grant Helps Initiate Ag DIRT Experiment, Refine Cover Crop Recommendations A team of scientists led by Iowa State University has won a $649,000 grant from USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture to study the intricacies of cereal rye cover crops. AgriLife Today: Texas A&M AgriLife collaboration seeks to help restore native landscapes The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, in partnership with the Texas Native Seeds Program, is working to address those challenges through a 100% online, self-led Native Seeding Certification course.
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