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
NACD Blog: NACD Government Affairs Update: Biden Administration Announces Changes to Endangered Species Act
By Mary Scott
06/08/21
On Friday, June 4, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced their intent to review and revise recent changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
NACD Blog: Water Quality Improvements Through an NACD Technical Assistance Grant
By Katrina Stacey
06/09/21
In Hopkins County, Kentucky, where gully and sheet erosion are common natural resource concerns, the Hopkins County Conservation District has utilized NACD Technical Assistance Grants to address a backlog in completing survey and design projects related to those and other natural resource issues.
NACD Blog: Iowa: Building A Watershed Community Through Conservation Partnerships
By Kate Giannini
06/02/21
The Middle Cedar WMA formed after Iowa received a $97 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Iowa Watershed Approach (IWA). The IWA is a collaboration including many statewide organizations and agencies and supports construction of flood mitigation projects with $30 million in funding.
By Lucia Starbck and Nate Hegyi
06/03/21
Jeremy Peters is the CEO of the nonprofit National Association of Conservation Districts. He said the new Civilian Climate Corps is modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. That corps was created to fight the impacts of the Dust Bowl.
AgNet West: New Pandemic Cover Crop Program to Assist Growers
06/08/21
Industry organizations including the National Association of Conservation Districts and American Farmland Trust have come out in support of the program. The groups note that additional support like that offered through the PCCP is necessary to help increase the adoption of cover cropping in agriculture.
Farm Progress Daily: Beneficial conservation rating system moves into Indiana
By Don Donovan
06/09/21
Some SWCDs in Indiana have “borrowed” the idea. It’s spreading well beyond the Illinois state line, headed east. This time, it’s a good thing moving across Indiana — it’s not a disease or pest!
Southwest News Media: Watershed conservation grants available to private landowners in Scott County
By Christine Schuster
06/09/21
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) released a statement applauding the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s announcement that producers will receive a crop insurance premium for cover crops.
The Bradford Era: Conservation district announces poster contest winners
06/08/21
The McKean County Conservation District has announced the winners from the poster contest it hosted for 2021. Entries from 99 students highlighted the theme “Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities.”
CN2: York County Elementary School Students Learn to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Their Own Foods
06/01/21
An eight lesson series allows kids from area elementary schools to get digging and planting their own foods to harvest. Conservation District Coordinator, Chasity Jones says for many students this is their first time having a meal straight from a garden.
By Noah Fish
06/07/21
Farmers dedicated to conservation like Joan Heim-Welch and direct assistance from local conservation offices have put the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program in the spotlight as one of the best of its kind in the country.
Agri-Pulse: Technical, financial assistance eyed as key needs for sustainability push
By Spencer Chase
06/07/21
(Subscriber Only) Stakeholders from Capitol Hill to the Corn Belt are backing a push to incorporate sustainable practices into production agriculture, but farmers will need additional know-how and monetary support to make that happen, panelists said at an Agri-Pulse webinar Monday.
Agri-Pulse: Biden administration moves to replace Trump-era ‘waters’ rule
By Steve Davies
06/09/21
(Subscriber Only) The Biden administration plans to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act after concluding the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule is causing “significant environmental degradation,” according to EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
By Emily Davenport
06/09/21
The report, entitled the NYC Urban Forest Agenda, outlines a strategic plan to not only protect, maintain and expand the urban forest, but also build a more resilient and equitable New York City.
Farmers.gov: 10 Tips for Resource Stewardship Planning on Your Farm
By Nate Birt
06/03/21
Finding the right technical assistance and determining whether a conservation practice actually works for your land isn’t always easy. The new Resource Stewardship Planning Guide, backed by NRCS science and developed by the editors at Farm Journal, is now available to help.
NPR: Farmers Are Feeling The Pain As Drought Spreads In The Northwest
By Anna King
06/03/21
Nicole Berg’s stunted wheat field is so short and sparse she doesn’t think the combine can even reach the wheat without, as she puts it, eating rocks. “Combines don’t like dirt and rocks,” Berg says, standing amid the damaged rows. “They get indigestion.”
Morning AgClips: MOFGA: Legislature embraces Maine Healthy Soils Program
06/07/21
Maine joins 14 other states that have adopted healthy soils programs. Seventeen more states have healthy soils legislation pending.
06/03/21
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) announced 13 SFI Community Grants today featuring collaboration between 63 partner organizations. SFI Community Grants make a meaningful impact in the communities that live and work near forests.
Ohio’s Country Journal: Grants for urban agriculture and innovative production
06/04/21
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced earlier the availability of up to $4 million for grants to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects. USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production is accepting proposals for planning and innovation projects, and these grants are part of USDA’s broader efforts to support urban agriculture.
Unofficial Networks: How Bison Are Helping Rebuild America’s Lost Prairie Land
By Francis Xavier
06/07/21
This 40,000-acre expanse is much more than grass. It is a biologically rich habitat that harbors a diverse collection of plant and animal species—more than 750 species of flora and 80 different mammals. This prairie is also a vital component in nature’s fight against climate change. The key to keeping the prairie healthy….Bison.
Agri-Pulse: Opinion: It is time to think and invest big in climate smart agriculture
By Moira McDonald
06/04/21
(Subscriber Only)(Opinion) For millions of farmers across the United States, and millions more people who rely on our land and water resources every day, conservation is an essential element of our nation’s agriculture infrastructure and a core part of the way that we live, work, and spend time together.
Harvest Public Media: For Farmland Conservation, It Comes Down To Who Owns It
By Dana Cronin
06/04/21
Lin Warfel puts farmland owners in central Illinois into two categories: Those with a deep connection and desire to preserve their land, and those obsessed with short-term money.
KUTV: Wildfires lead to changes in soil, water supply, USGS says
By Arielle Harrison
06/08/21
When wildfires come through those lands, they destroy forest vegetation which would usually help filter and slow down water coming from rain and snow.
KOLR10: The Role of Pollinators
By Jennifer Abreu
06/08/21
Pollinators, specific bees and butterflies, are responsible for many of the foods we eat, and your picnic would look a lot different without them.
MV Times: Nature Conservancy restores sandplain grasslands
By Lucas Thors
06/02/21
Planting native little bluestem is just one step toward increasing biodiversity and restoring a rare natural ecosystem.
Associated Press: Florida scientists find rare bee species in new locations
By Natalie Van Hoose
06/05/21
Florida Museum of Natural History scientists have found the first nest of Florida’s extraordinarily rare blue calamintha bee and added a new location to its known range: the Ocala National Forest.
E&E News: Audubon study links bird habitat with carbon capture
By Michael Doyle
06/03/21