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: Hans Hunt Brings Field Perspective to NRCS Leadership
By Desiree Van Dyke
08/04/2026
Hans Hunt has spent much of his first several months as NRCS Assistant Chief for the Western Region traveling throughout the West, meeting with producers, field offices, and conservation leaders.
NCF: Successful 2026 NCF-Envirothon Builds Excitement for 2027 Competition
07/27/2026
Last week brought more than 300 high school students, teachers, mentors, and chaperones to Starkville, Mississippi, for the NCF-Envirothon competition. These students represented 43 teams from across the U.S. and Canada. The theme of this year’s competition, “Non-point Source Pollution: It Begins at Home,” allowed students to explore their role in reducing non-point pollution at a personal and community level.
USDA-NRCS: USDA Invests $52 Million in 19 Projects to Expand Wildlife Conservation, Outdoor Access
07/31/2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $52 million in 19 projects to increase public access to private lands for wildlife-dependent recreation while benefiting farmers, ranchers and private landowners. Through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is helping state and tribal governments encourage private landowners to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation.
Morning Ag Clips: Back to Our Roots: NRCS Conducts Vital Soil Training
08/03/2026
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) hosted the “Back to Our Roots” training from July 28 through July 30, to expand knowledge and application of soil health practices and management systems across cropland, forestland, and pasture. Attendees were NRCS employees from North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia; along with affiliates from NC Wake County Soil & Water and American Farmland Trust.
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources: After 11 years, Good Neighbor Authority ‘wildly successful’ in Michigan
By Andy Henion | Michigan | North Central Region
07/23/2026
The DNR cuts and sells timber from federal land, then manages the acreage through reforestation or creating and maintaining new types of habitats. This, in turn, can benefit hunters, hikers, wildlife watchers and other visitors to Michigan’s national forests. Despite having a mere fraction of the federal land compared to Western states like California and Idaho, Michigan operates the country’s most prolific Good Neighbor Authority program.
Sun Corner: Iowa farmer sees culture shift toward water conservation
By Cami Koons | Madrid, IA | North Central Region
07/25/2026
Nick Helland and his father have embraced a slew of conservation practices – bioreactors, saturated buffers, cover crops and a nutrient reducing wetland — on their farm in the Greater Des Moines Watershed. Helland said he feels there has been a “shift in the culture” among farmers from judging one another on how black they could till their soil, to now, how frequently they till and how much cover they leave on the fields.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation: Virginia announces record $304 million for soil and water conservation
Virginia | Southeast Region
07/28/2026
The Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share (VACS) program has been allocated $304 million in cost-share funding for FY 2027, the highest level of investment in the program’s history. This funding is an $81 million increase over FY 2026 and marks the fifth straight year of record funding.
Buckrail: Volunteers connect by plucking noxious weeds in popular valley spots
By | Jackson, WY | Southwest Region
08/02/2026
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem remains one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems in the world, and it contains a wealth of wildlife, vegetation and geologic diversity. Musk thistle, houndstongue and spotted knapweed are noxious weeds that can spread uncontrollably and monopolize resources like sunlight, water and nutrients. Teton Conservation District GIS and Wildlife Habitat Specialist Morgan Graham told Buckrail that this jeopardizes native plants’ ability to thrive — plants that native wildlife and pollinators rely on for survival.
Lancaster Farming: Putting Profits Ahead of Yield Works for Luzerne Grain Farmers
By | Sugarloaf Township, PA | Northeast Region
08/03/2026
During a soil health field day, hosted by the Columbia County Conservation District and held on Masters’ farm July 28, the couple outlined things they’ve tried over the years. Some approaches worked, others didn’t, but one conclusion was constant.
Tri-State Livestock News: Bonny Reservoir Adaptive Grazing Demonstration Project Enters Implementation Phase Across Nearly 5,000 Acres
Wray, CO | Southwest Region
08/04/2026
Led by the Yuma County Conservation District in partnership with local, state, and federal. conservation organizations, the project spans nearly 5,000 acres within the former Bonny Reservoir footprint and surrounding rangelands. The demonstration is designed to showcase how adaptive grazing, innovative technology, and collaborative conservation can work together to improve rangeland health, restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire fuels, strengthen drought resilience, and create a model that can be replicated throughout eastern Colorado.