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 Letter to USDA on Reduction in Force and Reorganization Plans
03/13/2025
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) thanks you for your commitment to supporting America’s producers, agricultural communities, and locally led conservation efforts. As the USDA develops its Agency Reduction in Force (RIF) and Reorganization Plans (ARRP), NACD requests that the Department consider maintaining staffing levels for positions at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that serve producers in every county across the United States and its territories. NACD also requests that USDA considers the current and potential future impacts further reducing local NRCS staff and office locations will have on local producers and agricultural communities.
Headwaters Economics: America’s urban wildfire crisis: More than 1,100 communities at risk
02/26/2025
While the recent fires in Los Angeles were shocking, hundreds of communities across the United States—including in Florida, Oklahoma, and Alabama—are ripe for a similar scenario. Because it’s important to take action and prepare for these urban wildfires, Headwaters Economics has created an interactive map that shows which communities have risk factors comparable to Los Angeles.
NPR: A second federal judge has ruled to block the Trump administration’s spending freeze
By Elena Moore
03/06/2025
A federal judge in Rhode Island has ruled to extend a block on the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze payments for federal grants and other congressionally approved government programs from taking effect.
Progressive Farmer: DOGE Moves to Cancel USDA Office Leases
By Chris Clayton
03/10/2025
The Trump administration is pressing to eliminate local USDA offices around the country while slashing more than $1 billion in grants tied to local and regional food markets and continuing to freeze conservation contracts.
USDA: USDA Status Update on Probationary Employees
03/11/2025
On Wednesday, March 5, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) issued a 45-day stay on the termination of U.S. Department of Agriculture probationary employees. By Wednesday, March 12, the Department will place all terminated probationary employees in pay status and provide each with back pay, from the date of termination.
Ridgeway Record: PRISM pilot grant funds available for invasive species treatments
St. Marys, PA | Northeastern Region
03/03/2025
The Elk County Conservation District (ECCD) is one of 13 northwestern PA counties chosen to participate in the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) and other partners PRISM grant program. Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) is a pilot program intended to address the critical need to manage invasive species that pose a threat to Pennsylvania’s environments, economy, and both human and animal health.
Daily Republic: Solano RCD program opens minds, imagination to 1,700 students
Suisun City, CA | Pacific Region
03/11/2025
Nearly 1,700 Solano County students this school year participated in the Suisun Marsh Watershed Education Program at Rush Ranch. “I just love seeing the kids out there, and I enjoy introducing students to something that’s new in a safe and supportive environment,” Stephanie Stock, assistant program manager for the Solano Resource Conservation District, said. It was the 17th year for the Solano Resource Conservation District program. The number of participating students was 1,698. It finished up last week.
Successful Farming: Conservation Corps Jobs Cut as Trump Administration Halts Funding
By Rebekah Alvey and Noah Wicks | Michigan | North Central Region
03/12/2025
At the VFW National Home in Michigan, five veterans have built skills and experience in farming, particularly in regenerative ag practices. One vet studies forestry undergrowth and how to use shade to grow crops like shiitake mushrooms. Another is developing expertise in pollinator habitat. All five are members of the Working Land Conservation Corps, a Biden administration initiative aimed at training new conservation professionals able to help farmers adopt new practices to address resource concerns and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Columbia Basin Herald: More than just birds
By Joel Martin | Othello, WA | Pacific Region
03/13/2025
Dinah Rouleau and Kaley Wisher of the Columbia Basin Conservation District will give a lecture on flora and fauna of the Columbia Basin Saturday morning, then lead a hike into the wetlands in the afternoon so attendees can see what they’ve been hearing about.
Farms.com: Farmers Feeling the Pain After Conservation Funding Frozen
By Juliet Grable | West Lafayette, IN | North Central Region
03/04/2025
Brian Geier and his wife, Elizabeth Tobey, are farmers in Harrison County, Indiana, where they grow corn, soybeans, hay, and flowers on their 55 acres. Last year, they added sheep to the operation. Like many producers, the couple has taken advantage of federal conservation programs available through Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS. In 2024, they used grant funding to remove invasive trees and brush that had moved into the forested part of their acreage.
The Laconia Daily Sun: ‘Resilience’ is key for New Hampshire farms — but state support of grant program is in doubt
By Claire Sullivan | Michigan | North Central Region
03/13/2025
The program funds projects in four main categories: soil health, water management, on-farm energy, and crop and livestock protection, said Amanda Littleton, the district manager of the Chester County Conservation District. The grants range up to $10,000 each, and farmers typically fund between a quarter and half of the project costs themselves, she said. And the demand is high, with about 30% of applicants turned away each year, Littleton said.
KOSU: Decades-old conservation programs in Oklahoma put on hold with federal funding freeze
Chloe Bennett-Steele | Oklahoma | South Central Region
03/13/2025
Unpaid grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and uncertainty around funding forced the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) to halt some of its work. Farmers and ranchers across the state work with the OACD on improving their land to grow crops and raise animals. The organization was founded in the 1930s to provide conservation education and technical assistance following the devastation from the Dust Bowl.