onservation 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 Blog: Capitol CD Develops “Ben Franklin Career & Technical Center” Outdoor Classroom with Help from the 2023 Friends of NACD District Grants Program
08/27/2024
The Capitol Conservation District recently developed the “Ben Franklin Career & Technical Center” Outdoor Classroom, a one-of-a-kind education program that encompasses aquatics, forestry, wildlife, soils, and agriculture through hands-on, exploratory learning in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
NACD Blog: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Learns About Water Quality on Two Rice Farms
08/28/2024
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry – Office of Soil and Water Conservation (LDAF-OSWC) visited two farms on July 31, 2024, to learn about best management practices (BMPs) on rice production agricultural lands. BMPs are implemented to increase air and water quality, wildlife habitat, soil health, and more. This film was made possible through our 319 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Abatement Program, funded through EPA’s Clean Water Act Section 319.
NACD Blog: Iron Baraga Conservation District and Partners Introduce Field Days Across Michigan
08/29/2024
Conservation district foresters in Michigan get the opportunity to educate the public in many different ways, including through educational outreach events. This winter, the Iron Baraga Conservation District (IBCD) partnered with many other agencies across the state and the Women Owning Woodlands Network (WOW) to bring learning opportunities to different areas across the state.
Grist: How can you tell if soil is healthy? Just listen to it.
By Ayurella Horn-Muller
08/20/2024
Although the practice of recording the sounds of nature has existed for over a century, using those recordings to analyze ecosystem health is a newer discipline. Scientists have, in recent years, started experimenting with using ecoacoustic tools to capture the full range of sounds in healthy ecosystems — such as in coral reefs, caves, and oyster beds — and applying those recordings to restoration efforts in damaged and degraded areas.
Agriculture Dive: How the EPA plans to protect endangered species from weedkillers
By Sarah Zimmerman
08/20/2024
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plan to protect endangered species from the effects of weedkillers could require farms near vulnerable habitats to take additional conservational steps. The EPA last week revealed its finalized strategy to safeguard over 900 federally endangered and threatened species from herbicides, a result of nearly two dozen lawsuits against the agency over its failure to meet Endangered Species Act obligations when approving pesticides.
USDA: Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Farmers to Expand Innovative Domestic Fertilizer Production
08/28/2024
At the annual Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is partnering with American business owners to expand innovative domestic fertilizer production, creating jobs in rural communities and strengthening local economies.
KCUR: It’s hard for new farmers to buy land. Missouri and other states are trying to help out
By Héctor Alejandro Arzate | Missouri | Northern Plains Region
08/23/2024
A new tax deduction program in Missouri aims to incentivize older farm owners to pass land to beginners. The new policy allows qualifying owners to deduct the income from renting or selling their land to beginning farmers from their state-adjusted gross income. The program is part of a growing effort across the Midwest and Great Plains to help new farmers get started as they’re up against high land and equipment prices.
Winters Express: Collaborative program educates, promotes practices to reduce the risk of wildfires
By Angela Underwood | Winters, CA | Pacific Region
08/24/2024
Yolo County Resource Conservation District (RCD)’s Fire Resilience Program Senior Manager, Tanya Meyer, focuses her expertise on working with the community to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Meyer, who serves as the RCD’s Yolo County Fire Safe Council (YCFSC) Coordinator, said that after the 2018 County Fire, which burned 90,000 acres of western Yolo County in a few days, the RCD decided to step up to help.
Review Times: Conservation District celebrates 75 years
By Saige Thornley | Fostoria, OH | North Central Region
08/27/2024
The Seneca Conservation District will celebrate 75 years Thursday. Started in 1949, following the Dust Bowl that helped fuel the Great Depression, the SCD focuses on natural resource conservation, education, and, as district administrator Morgan Metzger says, “creating our future with science-based, intentional choices on the farms, in the homes, and in the schools of Seneca County.”
Patch.com: Water-Wise Landscaping Workshops Are Back In Napa
By Maggie Fusek | Napa County, CA | Pacific Region
08/27/2024
Want to maintain and beautify your yard while saving water and money? Join us for the Fall 2024 Water-Wise Landscaping Workshop Series starting Sept. 11. In this first in-person series since the pandemic, City of Napa Water is teaming up with Napa County Resource Conservation District and UC Master Gardeners to share resources for smarter lawn watering, drip irrigation, soil improvement, climate-appropriate plants, garden design, rainwater harvesting, and greywater.
Farms.com: Conservation Practices Highlighted During Field Day at Olson Farms
San Mateo, CA | Pacific Region
08/28/2024
Producers, conservationists, and agricultural experts gathered near Thompson, North Dakota, for the Grand Forks Soil Conservation District (SCD) Field Day at the Dan Olson farm Aug. 20 showcasing innovative farming practices focused on soil health and sustainability.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: NFWF Announces $17.3 Million in New Conservation Grants to Restore Delaware River Watershed
Delaware | Northeast Region
08/29/2024
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced 45 grant awards totaling more than $17.3 million, a significant increase from last year’s total of $14.9 million. This year’s grants will fund projects in four priority areas: restoring fish and wildlife habitat, reducing flooding impacting communities, improving water quality, and enhancing safe public recreational access. The grants will generate nearly $20.7 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $38 million.