| 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 with accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
USDA: USDA Boosts Conservation on Grazing Lands and Support for Farmers and Ranchers The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until September 22, 2022. USDA: USDA to Invest $15 Million in Innovative Projects for Climate-Smart Agriculture, Urban Agriculture and Addressing Invasive Species The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. Successful Farming: Recommended Measurements to Evaluate Soil Health from the Soil Health Institute The Soil Health Institute (SHI) has announced its recommended measurements for assessing soil health. These recommendations answer the number one question about soil health that farmers, ranchers, and their advisers have been asking. Successful Farming: Suffered From 2020 or 2021 Natural Disasters? More Help is on the Way, Says USDA Another phase in assistance to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 is underway, the USDA announced Thursday. More than 18,000 producers will soon receive new or updated pre-filled disaster applications to offset eligible crop losses. Approximately $6.4 billion has already been distributed to 165,000 producers through USDA’s Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Emergency Relief Program (ERP). TIME: Why Scientists Want You to Kill Spotted Lanternflies As invasive spotted lanternflies continue moving through the United States, local agricultural agencies have launched “If you see it, kill it” campaigns urging people to kill the bugs in order to prevent any further spread across the U.S. Here’s what to know about the spotted lanternfly spread and why scientists are encouraging people to kill any they might see. Agri-Pulse: $300M Organic Transition Initiative Includes Funding for Supply Chains, Crop Insurance (Subscriber only) Farmers who want to go organic will get help from a new $300 million initiative launched by USDA Monday. The effort has funding to help farmers transition to organic production, make use of new mentoring networks, and pay for crop insurance. It also includes money to identify new markets and help develop supply chains. USDA announced the total amount available in June but offered more details Monday. Phys.org: Urban Crops Can Have Higher Yields Than Conventional Farming Findings show that urban gardeners and hydroponics can meet and sometimes exceed the yields of rural farms depending on the crop variety. The Hill: Dozens of Tree Species Face Extinction from Insects, Diseases, and Climate Change A new report shows more than 100 native species of trees in the lower 48 states are facing the threat of extinction due to invasive insects, diseases and climate change. A report published in the journal Plants People Planet assessed the health of the 881 tree species in the contiguous U.S. to improve the efficiency of tree conservation efforts. Scientific American: New Tool Helps Predict Where Wildfire Smoke Will Blow Better satellite coverage of wildfires and improved climate models are giving scientists a more accurate view of smoke plumes as they drift across the country. These kinds of advances, they say, can help provide earlier warnings to residents endangered by wildfire smoke. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced up to $550 million in funding to support projects that enable underserved producers to access land, capital, and markets, and train the next, diverse generation of agricultural professionals.
KRDO: $15 Million in Grants Available to Colorado Communities for Wildfire Mitigation The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) announced Wednesday that it is now accepting applications for the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program. This grant program strategically reduces wildfire risk to property, infrastructure, and water supplies. It also promotes forest health through scientifically based forestry practices. It is designed to reduce risk to people and property in the wildland-urban interface and support long-term ecological restoration. Northern Ag Network: NRCS Offers Up to $86 and Acre for Implementation of a Soil Health Management System Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices in Big Horn, Broadwater, Carbon, Gallatin, Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland, and Yellowstone counties are accepting applications for Rooting for Soil Health, a resource concern-focused conservation strategy with investment available through the NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The application deadline for the first round of project funding is October 28, 2022. Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Inflation Reduction Act Includes Massive Investments in Urban Forests. What Will it Mean for Rochester? The $739 billion Inflation Reduction Act signed into law this month includes $1.5 billion for urban forestry, a massive investment intended to make cities more green and more resilient to increasing heat due to climate change. That money, part of a suite of climate justice-related provisions in the legislation, has drawn attention within the city of Rochester, which is currently at work revamping its urban forestry master plan. Texas Tribune: Texas is Facing its Worst Drought Since 2011. Here’s What You Need to Know. Texans across the state are facing water restrictions as the state experiences its worst drought since 2011. Almost the entire state of Texas is experiencing a severe level of drought, and only a few corners of the state, such as El Paso, are not “abnormally dry” amid this year’s particularly hot summer. And while the state is seeing some pockets of rain in late August, the drought likely will extend into winter because of current climate patterns that could lead to hotter and drier weather. BG Independent News: ‘From the Farm’ to Focus on Field Drainage and Water Control Structures The Wood Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a “From the Farm” event on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m., at the George Farm. The topic is field drainage and water control structures. Lancaster Farming: Virginia Farmers Get More Support for Winter Cover Crops Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts administer a suite of cover crop practices that include a $20 per acre harvestable option and practices designed for specialty crop growers and dairy farmers. Fox Weather: Florida Island Transformed into Resilient Ecosystem for Marine Life to Thrive In a Palm Beach County lagoon, The Nature Conservancy partnered up with the county to build a resilient Island ecosystem. It is now complete after volunteers put the final touches by planting mangroves. The island can help water quality and will create a habitat for various marine life, including an oyster reef and a home for birds. Capital Pubic Radio News: How Wildfires are Transforming California’s Most Iconic Landscapes All over California, wildfires have ravaged homes, communities and iconic landscapes in the state. Places that once seemed so permanent are disappearing from sight — and researchers are having to rethink how best to protect them. Cody Enterprise: Conservation District Gets Grant The Cody Conservation District recently received a $10,000 Urban Agriculture Conservation Planning Grant from the National Association of Conservation Districts. Outreach programs developed under this planning grant will give the community the opportunity to learn about a variety of conservation topics. The CCD is interested in hearing from the community on topics they are interested in. Missoula Current: Missoula Pollinator Conservation Plan to Protect, Promote Forage for Bees, Butterflies A new effort funded by the Lolo National Forest and spearheaded by Missoula County will turn an eye to the needs of the region’s native pollinators. A $25,000 grant from the Forest Service to the local Weed District will support the planning and eventual launch of a new Missoula County Pollinator Conservation plan. YourErie: Grants Available for Youth Agriculture Projects The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on Monday Aug. 22 invited residents to apply for a slice of $500,000 in PA Farm Bill Agriculture and Youth Grants. Individual direct grants of up to $7,500 will be awarded, as well as matching grants of up to $25,000. South Dakota Public Broadcasting: Federal Grassland Conservation Program Breaks Record for Acres Enrolled A record-breaking 3.1 million acres have been enrolled in this year’s federal grassland conservation program. Top states include South Dakota, with nearly 425,000 acres signed up. WCVB: Rain Brings ‘Temporary Relief’ from Massachusetts Brush Fires as Drought Drags on Rain and humidity are temporarily reducing the risk of brush fires in Massachusetts, but the amount of precipitation will not be enough to pull the state out of drought conditions. Some parts of the state received more than two or even three inches of rain Monday, with the largest amounts falling over the southeastern part of the state and Cape Cod. Fauquier Times: Financial Boost Allows Soil and Water Agency to Help Farmers, Landowners Improve Conservation Practices Fueled by a state budget surplus and a solid record of accomplishment, the John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded $4.5 million to spend in the next fiscal year – nearly double what it had in 2022, and more than three times what it spent in 2021. Latrobe Bulletin: Westmoreland Conservation District’s Forest Stewardship Workshop Sept. 24 If you own trees – whether a woodlot or a forest – an upcoming Forest Stewardship Workshop can help you learn how to keep it healthy, and what financial help may be available to do that. Challenges to local forest health and opportunities for forest stewardship will be discussed at the Westmoreland Conservation District’s Sept. 24 event. Nevada Today: University Offers Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture Workshops and Event To help growers, University of Nevada, Reno Extension is offering an online weekly series of seven workshops Aug. 30 – Oct. 11 on understanding and managing soil health, as well as an in-person day of presentations and tours in Fallon on Sept. 30, “Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture for the Carson River Watershed.”
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