| 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 accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
NACD: NACD Announces Launch of District Grants Application Period The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the launch of its application period for the 2024 Friends of NACD District Grants Program.
The Cool Down: Scientists issue sobering warning about the invasive species wreaking havoc on our communities: ‘an extremely costly mistake’ A new report showed how thousands of invasive species are decimating ecosystems across the globe — with dire consequences for the environment, human health, and our food and water supplies.
Forests News: Biodiversity in agricultural landscapes finally on conservation agendas Under the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the CBD for the first time recognizes the importance of managed lands’ contribution to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. Goal A of the Framework calls upon all the 196 parties to the convention to provide the enabling environment to maintain, enhance, and restore the integrity, connectivity, and resilience of all ecosystems –including agricultural and urban areas.
Successful Farming: Why should farmers care about carbon? Farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to grow plants and conserve soil has potential to mitigate climate change by drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and storing it as carbon in the soil. The increased carbon offers the added benefits of improving soil quality and sustaining crop yields.
Lab Manager: New Research Will Help Better Predict the Health of ‘Grassy’ Ecosystems Newly published research from UNC Greensboro’s Dr. Kevin Wilcox and colleagues will help scientists better predict how global changes—such as droughts, fires, and heat waves—will impact the health and sustainability of the Earth’s grassy ecosystems.
Ag Info: NACD Announces Launch of District Grants Application Period The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has announced the launch of its application period for the 2024 Friends of NACD District Grants Program.
Successful Farming: How grassland protection spurs carbon credits The May family did indeed buy the large holding of native grass, and immediately faced the economic need to make land payments while also finding ways to protect the land long term from the risk of development or conversion to cropland. They addressed both issues by tying a conservation easement to the sale of carbon credits.
The Garett Country Republican: Garrett Soil Conservation District celebrates 80th birthday with fundraiser In celebration of 80 years of the Garrett Soil Conservation District providing conservation to the Garrett County area, the GSCD is holding a fruit tree and fruiting bush fundraiser to help enrich its community outreach programs.
Adirondack Almanack: Conservation Field Day sparks enthusiasm to learn The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District’s 44th annual Lynn Galusha Memorial Conservation Field Day sparked students’ enthusiasm to learn about their environment on September 21. The District hosts the event annually on their Adirondack EcoTrail, and kids hike to six stations where they learn about exciting conservation topics from the natural resource experts.
The Laconia Daily Sun: Conservation District partner details its volunteer awardees Belknap County Conservation District recently recognized Andy and Martina Howe, owners of Timber Hill Farm in Gilford, as the 2023 Cooperators of the Year and Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center as the Educator of the Year.
Morning AgClips: The impact of implementing a conservation plan How can a landowner fulfill the task of properly caring for the land? By instilling a sound conservation plan. A Landowner interested in developing a conservation plan would start by contacting their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The SWCD will send a trained conservation technician out to assess the property with the landowner. The technician will discuss ways the landowner can increase productivity through soil conservation practices in addition to looking at ways to reduce the impact their operation may have on natural resource quality and quantity.
Altoona Mirror: Growing a ‘food forest’: Community members’ efforts help establish rain garden at Duncansville Memorial Park A veritable utopia in the borough received a helping hand Friday as more than a dozen community members were joined by the Blair County Conservation District and a crew from the county’s juvenile probation program to create an edible, medicinal and ecological rain garden.
The Nevada Independent: To tackle groundwater overuse, Nevada takes new approach: buying back farmers’ rights The Pershing County Water Conservation District’s headquarters in Lovelock sits off Interstate 80 a few miles before the Humboldt River disappears into a desert sink. Farmers here have priority rights to water in times of drought, according to the laws that govern the Humboldt River, which rises in northeastern Nevada and cuts a meandering blue line through valleys of sagebrush.
Fox43: Pa. awarded millions in watershed restoration grants Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District will expand the Upper Susquehanna Coalition’s water quality program to support and accelerate riparian forest buffer restoration, non-tidal wetlands and floodplains.
Olive Oil Times: California Olive Farmers Create Pollinator Habitats to Boost Biodiversity California olive growers are increasingly combating the impacts of climate change by cultivating native plants to create habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators.
State College: Centre County Farm-City Dinner to Celebrate Local Agriculture, Conservation Centre County’s annual Farm-City Dinner on Nov. 1 will celebrate local agriculture and conservation efforts.
AgriPulse: Successful Virginia buffer-planting program is worth replicating in the farm bill (Opinion) If someone offered to design, install, and take care of a streamside buffer on your property for free, would you take them up on it? It’s called the James River Buffer Program and it is administered by the nonprofit James River Association, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Other partners include the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts. |