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 Blog: Oklahoma Honors Legacy of Conservation on 90th Anniversary of Black Sunday
04/22/2025
April 14, 2025, marked the 90th anniversary of Black Sunday, the most infamous day of the Dust Bowl era and one of the darkest moments in America’s environmental history. On that day in 1935, a massive dust storm swept across the Southern Plains, turning daylight into darkness and leaving behind a wake of devastation. Oklahoma, the heart of the storm, remembers it not just for the destruction it caused, but for the movement it sparked. A movement that gave birth to voluntary conservation and the vital work of conservation districts across the nation.
Government Executive: White House pitches layoffs, local office closures and program eliminations at USDA
By Eric Katz
04/15/2025
The Trump administration is planning to severely scale back or outright eliminate funding for many programs across the Agriculture Department, according to White House documents obtained by Government Executive, as it slashes workers and closes offices at the local level.
USDA: USDA Delivers Immediate Relief to Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Communities Impacted by Recent Disasters
04/22/2025
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $340.6 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance to deliver relief to farmers, ranchers and rural communities impacted by natural disasters that have caused devastation across the country.
Successful Farming: Former ‘Climate-Smart’ Projects Seeking Guidance to Reapply
By Steve Davies, Noah Wicks, and Rebekah Alvey
04/24/2025
Leaders of projects funded under USDA’s canceled-and-rebranded Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program are waiting for more guidance on how to reapply after the Trump administration labeled the program a “slush fund” and apparently terminated most of its grants.
Farms.com: After Setting Roots 90 Years Ago, NRCS Continues to Grow Its Conservation Legacy
By Shelby Callaway
04/14/2025
It is said that you can’t really know where you’re going until you know where you have been. Since April 27, 2025, marks the 90th anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), I’d like to take you back to the official beginning.
USDA-NRCS: Helping Hands, Blooming Lands
By Merrie Schamberger & Krisann McElvain | Wisconsin | North Central Region
04/21/2025
Melanie Kalmerton always dreamed of having a countryside garden. Growing up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and attending the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, she set sights on a career in conservation with the aspirations of having her own home plot of land to tend and grow outside of her workday.
South Dakota Searchlight: At least $134 million in federal money for conservation across South Dakota still in limbo
By Joshua Haiar | South Dakota | Northern Plains Region
04/21/2025
Angela Ehlers is the executive director of the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts. Her organization is not a party to the lawsuit, but has been awarded some of the funds now in dispute and works closely with other grantees affected by the executive order.
My Edmonds News: Snohomish Conservation District, Verdant launch free community gardening program
By Clare McLean | South Snohomish County, WA | Pacific Region
04/21/2025
Food costs are rising and demand for food at local food banks is increasing. A creative partnership between the Snohomish Conservation District (SCD) and Verdant Health Commission is designed to address these concerning developments, especially for residents with space and resource limitations.
Empire Press: Foster Creek Conservation District enhances watershed health in Douglas County
By Shannon Curran | Douglas County, WA | Pacific Region
04/14/2025
The Foster Creek Conservation District has implemented various best management practices (BMPs) to enhance the overall health of the Foster Watershed. One such practice is the use of beaver dam analogues (BDAs), which are human-made structures designed to mimic natural beaver dams. These structures slow water flow, reduce stream channel incision and encourage the growth of riparian vegetation.
Nola.com: ‘A desperate situation’: Troy Carter hosts meetings with farmers who say they need help
By Christopher Cartwright | Louisiana | South Central Region
04/22/2025
Price Gay, the president of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts, said the organization is “desperate for money” because of the lack of a new bill. That organization acts as a voice for the parish districts, and the national organization works to prioritize natural resource legislation and funding.
Saint Alans Messenger: Tree-rific day: Fairfax celebrates Earth Day by rooting down and branching out
By Aidan Schonbrun| Fairfax, VT | Northeast Region
04/22/2025
At Garland Park this morning, the frogs croaked, the birds sang and the Franklin County Natural Resource Conservation District rolled up its sleeves and got to work planting thousands of small tree saplings. For members of FCNRCD, Tuesday’s project was in celebration of Earth Day. This year is year three for the annual NRCD planting, but it’s also the 55th Earth Day since the day was founded on April 22, 1970.
USDA-NRCS: NRCS Watershed Programs at Work
By Lark Gilmer| Rhode Island | Northeast Region
04/23/2025
Through the NRCS Watershed Programs, the Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts (RIACD) is working with the City of East Providence, City of Cranston and Town of Johnston to offer relief to homeowners of flood-prone homes through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program and the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program.