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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.
Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) held the 2023 Summer Meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota. Hosted in partnership with the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, the meeting gathered conservation leaders from across the country to discuss emerging natural resource concerns and innovative solutions.
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is pleased to announce that the 34th annual NCF-Envirothon Competition began on Sunday, July 23, 2023. The 2023 NCF-Envirothon Competition brings together 51 teams of high school students from across the United States, Canada, China, and Singapore to compete for more than $40,000 in prizes and awards in the five areas of study.
Last week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) held a stakeholder session with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) focused on regenerative grazing on public lands and conservation leasing as part of NACD’s summer meeting held in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) are government entities with a unique responsibility to protect the state’s natural resources. The boundaries of the 23 NRDs are based on the major river basins in Nebraska, which allows them to respond to local conservation and resource management needs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for nearly 2.7 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup, which received a record setting sign-up of 4.6 million acres in offers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS) has published a report that provides a snapshot of current U.S. forest and rangeland conditions and projects conditions 50 years into the future. The report uses a mixture of scientific, climate and economic projections to identify drivers of change, resources and trends across all land ownerships, as well as summarize probable outcomes for nature-based economies.
USDA announced 17 new Urban Service Centers and ten new urban county committees, as well as approximately $10.7 million in investments in Farm to School and an expansion of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. These investments will increase market access and revenue streams for producers while strengthening the food system and giving consumers better access to locally-grown foods and healthier choices.
The Kent Soil and Water Conservation District with support from the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Andelot LLC and local sponsors, recently awarded its 2023 high school scholarships to three Kent County High School seniors who will be attending college and pursuing a degree in either an agricultural or natural resource related field.
The Kendall County Soil and Water Conservation District will receive a $5,000 grant to fund a program to assist in efforts to keep nearby waterways, forest and private land clean and free from harmful pollutants caused by the improper disposal of used tires.
The program provides partial financial assistance for construction of management practices aiding in the prevention or control of excessive erosion and improvement of water quality. Each of Missouri’s 114 county-level soil and water conservation districts provide the hands-on technical assistance, education and best practices for their local agricultural landowners and operators.
Bartholomay Kattle Kompany of Sheldon is the recipient of the 2023 North Dakota Leopold Conservation Award. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes private landowners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife resources in their care.
Via a trade-in program run by the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, local property owners can show proof of removal of an invasive species on their Hamilton County property and receive up to three, three-gallon native trees or shrubs for free.
Another challenging year for spring moisture has created a deficit in hay production across much of the Dakotas and Minnesota, leaving ranchers to consider options to increase their forage supply. North Dakota State University Extension specialists discuss annual forages and cover crops as options for ranchers.
A new cost-share program could help with financial costs for producers and landowners who want to install enduring conservation practices. The Fiscal Year 2024 state cost-share program for conservation practices has opened and encourages projects to improve water quality and quantity. The program is administered by conservation districts statewide.
The Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) recently received a grant award through the National Association of Conservation District’s Urban and Community Conservation (UAC) Grant Initiative to model a unique micro-clover agricultural technique.
While raptors and farmers in many parts of the world have fraught relationships, many dairy farmers in western Washington state welcome the eagles for the services they provide, according to a new study. Bald eagles and other raptors clean up fields for free and scare off pest birds like starlings. “You support the wildlife, the wildlife supports you,” one farmer says.
The Muscogee Creek Nation (MCN) Conservation District hosted a two-day aquaponics training event at the Morris Indian Community Center and included presentation on strategies to capitalize upon aquaponic farming.
A major project by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and Duke Energy will improve fish habitat and help anglers catch more prized game species on Lake Wateree.
County Executive Pittman announced eight projects implemented in Annapolis and other locations in Anne Arundel County will receive a total of $1.5 million in funding through the Watershed Restoration Grant Program to improve water quality in local shallow waterways, reduce stormwater and sediment runoff, and build resilient living shorelines.
The Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District will host a free Cover Crop Field Day on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Chris VonHolten’s farm in Walnut.
