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 Requests Exception to Pause on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Financial Assistance Funds
01/30/2024
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is appreciative of President Trump’s comprehensive review of federal finances, including financial assistance vehicles such as grants, cooperative agreements, and contribution agreements. However, the subject Executive Order (EO) and recently rescinded OMB Memorandum M-25-13 have the potential to adversely affect thousands of conservation districts across the country, as well as the producers and communities they serve.
NACD Blog: French Ranch Farms and Humboldt County Conservation District Grow Forward with NACD Technical Assistance Grant
01/28/2024
Maurie Hobbs is the fourth generation in her family to work on the French Ranch in Humboldt County, California. It was her great grandparents’ homestead, and when the management was passed to her and her husband, Marty, they weren’t exactly sure what their first steps should be to create the future they wanted on the land. Growing up on the ranch, Maurie knew the ins and outs of cattle raising, grazing, and day-to-day operations, but she still had some questions about where to go from there.
NACD Blog: Jackson SWCD: Antelope Creek Riparian Restoration
01/30/2024
The Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD), based in Oregon, serves the diverse and ecologically rich landscapes of Jackson County. Situated within the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion, the county is home to a variety of ecosystems, including oak woodlands, mixed conifer forests, and riparian areas. These landscapes play an essential role in supporting the region’s communities by providing clean water, timber, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.
Morning Ag Clips: USDA Improves Insurance Option for Nursery Growers
01/21/2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to improve crop insurance tailored for nursery producers. The Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) Nursery Value Select (NVS) program enables nursery producers to select the dollar amount of coverage that best fits their risk management needs.
Ag Web: Key Takeaways from Brooke Rollins’ Confirmation Hearing for Agriculture Secretary
By Jim Wiesemeyer
01/23/2025
Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s nominee for Agriculture Secretary, addressed several issues during her confirmation hearing on Jan. 23 in an attempt to position herself as a supporter of diverse agricultural interests and commit to protecting producers. In her opening statement, Rollins outlined several key priorities for USDA if confirmed.
USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Natural Resources and Environment Appointments to Lead on Wildfire Prevention
01/24/2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced key appointments by President Donald J. Trump to support his administration’s focus on forest management, wildfire prevention, and natural resource conservation. Ahead of the President’s visit to California to assess wildfire damage, these appointments highlight a renewed dedication to protecting communities, enhancing forest health, and ensuring responsible stewardship of natural resources.
Agriculture Dive: Trump freeze on federal grants and loans sparks confusion in agriculture
By Justin Bachman and Sarah Zimmerman
01/29/2025
A Trump administration pause on financial assistance programs has agriculture groups scrambling to understand what it means for farmers who depend on the billions of dollars in federal funding from a number of key programs. The White House budget office on Wednesday canceled the order freezing federal grants and loans following massive backlash over the proposal’s potential to upend funding for a variety of critical programs in housing, education and healthcare.
Yuba Net: Enhancing Land Stewardship in Nevada County: Workshops, Grants, and Opportunities for Landowners
Nevada County, CA | Pacific Region
01/25/2024
The Nevada County Resource Conservation District (NCRCD) is committed to supporting landowners and managers in enhancing their land through sustainable practices. Whether you’re a homeowner with a small parcel or a larger landholder, NCRCD provides valuable resources to help you improve the health and productivity of your land. By offering a variety of seminars, workshops, and classes, NCRCD equips landowners with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement effective conservation methods that promote water efficiency, native planting, and proper resource management.
Cowboy State Daily: Saving Our Rangelands — The Urgent Battle Against Invasive Grasses
Wyoming | Northern Plains Region
01/28/2025
Wyoming’s healthy, productive rangelands underpin our state’s ranching operations, hunting, recreation and cultural heritage. However, many may not realize the extent to which Wyoming’s rangelands are under threat from the spread of invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass, medusahead and ventenata– and the danger these fast-growing grasses pose to our wildlife habitats, landscapes and communities.
Quad City Herald: Okanogan Conservation District unveils new wildfire protection plan
Okanogan, WA | Pacific Region
01/28/2025
After a year-long effort led by the Okanogan Conservation District, the 2024 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Okanogan County was officially approved on January 7 and signed by the Okanogan County Commissioners and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The CWPP was published on January 16 and is available on the Okanogan Conservation District’s website.
Farm Talk: A sixth generation Okie farmer experiments farming in the modern world
By | Miami, OK | South Central Region
01/28/2025
Like his grandfather, Zack Rendel is a master improviser. But in today’s era of farming the problems he’s improvising solutions for are soil health, water conservation, land erosion, and the environmental impact of agriculture. Rendel’s land stewardship was recently recognized by the Ottawa County Conservation District, naming him an ambassador for the Conservation Agriculture Reaches Everyone (CARE) program. The CARE program focuses on supporting conservationist agricultural practices that improve soil health and water quality.
MSN: Hundreds of endangered fish rescued from bodies of water damaged by L.A. fires
By Travis Schlepp | California | Pacific Region
01/28/2025
Hundreds of endangered fish were removed last week from bodies of water left damaged by the Palisades Fire. A removal of more than 250 endangered southern steelhead trout took place last Thursday at Topanga Creek in a rescue operation led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Fish and Wildlife, with assistance from other agencies including the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, traveled with nets in hand to corral the endangered fish and remove them from Topanga Creek.
Western Outdoor Times: AZGFD, Partners Secure More Than $24 Million Dollars For Conservation
Arizona | Southwest Region
01/31/2025
Restoration project will benefit critical wildlife movement corridors, winter habitat for state’s wildlife. The Arizona Game And Fish Department (AZGFD), in partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF), the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), and the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts (AACD), is excited to announce a recent award of $24.5 million through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).