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 Applauds USDA for Release of First Tranche of IRA Funding to Producers
02/21/2025
NACD commends the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) release of the first tranche of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding to our nation’s producers. NACD encourages the administration to fund future contracts, to include full commitment to disbursing financial assistance provided through IRA Farm Bill programs and the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities.
NACD Blog: Lincoln County Conservation District Promotes Conservation on Public and Private Lands with NACD Technical Assistance Grant
02/24/2025
To help producers address these challenges, the Lincoln County Conservation District leveraged NACD’s Technical Assistance (TA) Grants Program to hire staff to share information with producers about funding available through NRCS conservation programs and conservation practices to improve soil health and water quality.
The Hill: Farmers, green groups sue USDA over ‘unlawful purge’ of climate data
By Ashleigh Fields | Washington, D.C.
02/25/2025
The coalition says that valuable datasets relating to climate-smart agriculture, forest conservation, climate change adaptation and investment in clean energy projects in rural America were purged from the site.
Popular Science: US Fish and Wildlife is begging you to eat more invasive marsh rodents
By Andrew Paul
02/25/2025
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is asking Americans to step up as conservationists and make a meal out of cat-sized rodents. The plea is part of the agency’s annual National Invasive Species Week (February 24-28), which highlights the numerous non-native animals wreaking havoc on local ecosystems across the country.
Civil Eats: USDA Has Begun Canceling Contracts Based on Trump’s DEI Order
By Lisa Held
02/26/2025
In Colorado, Mancos Conservation District received a letter canceling a $630,000 Equity in Conservation Outreach Program grant intended to support beginning farmers and ranchers, small farms that were grossing less than $170,000 a year, and the local tribal community, the Ute Mountain Ute.
Farm Progress: Is latest House vote bad news for farm bill?
By Joshua Baethge
02/27/2025
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it faces an uncertain future. Though President Trump has voiced support for the plan, multiple Senate Republicans have indicated they plan to seek changes to the House legislation.
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This is Topeka: The NRCS Layoffs: Understanding the Cuts and the Misconceptions About Conservation
By Jeffery W. Fogg | Topeka, KS | Northern Plains Region
02/23/2025
NRCS operates [in] 105 Conservation Districts in Kansas—one per county—which work closely with local landowners. With 14% of the national workforce laid off, Kansas NRCS offices are undoubtedly feeling the strain, affecting the ability to process conservation funding applications, assist with farm projects, and respond to natural disasters.
Ohio’s County Journal: Trump Unknowns Keeping Markets on Edge
By Doug Tenney | Columbus, OH | North Central Region
02/23/2025
(Opinion) Last month I was a first-time attendee at the annual meeting of National Association of Conservation Districts held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Little did I know that my first fast-paced snow tubing efforts would continue in both the general sessions and the breakout sessions across a wide variety of conservation topics. What a whirlwind for 5 days!
North Texas e-News: Growing the Future: How the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and Texas FFA are cultivating the next generation of stewards
Texas | South Central Region
02/23/2025
In the heart of Texas, where rich soil meets vast open skies, a partnership thrives—one rooted in the shared mission of protecting the land and empowering the next generation of stewards.
Boise Dev: Proposed update to ag protection law would pay landowners who preserve farmland
By Erin Banks Rusby | Boise, ID | Pacific Region
02/27/2025
The updated bill adds a section to allow county soil and water conservation districts to create an agricultural protection area fund where they can receive “voluntary contributions from public and private entities.”
Denver7: Colorado invests $8.4 million in 19 new wildfire mitigation projects
By Katie Parkins | Denver, CO | Southwest Region
02/27/2025
COSWAP distributed $4.85 million in landscape resilience investments between the City of Boulder, City of Fort Collins, City of Glenwood Springs, Grant Fire Protection District and Mancos Conservation District to cover 1,313 acres over the next three years.
The Dalhart Texan: SWCD Essay Winners Announced
Dalhart, TX | South Central Region
02/27/2025
The Hartley Soil & Water Conservation District recently held its 47th annual essay contest, and this year’s topic was, “Home Is Where the Habitat Is.” The idea was to focus on the vital role native habitats play in protecting soil and water resources, sustaining biodiversity and storing carbon.