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: Did You Know? National Conservation Foundation
By Jackson Moody
03/17/2026
Did you know that NACD has a sister organization that cultivates, educates, and inspires conservation leaders of all ages? The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) was formed to develop our next generation of conservation leaders. Organized in 1952, the NCF supports the advancement of programs and partnerships to deliver conservation solutions through locally led environmental conservation and focuses on developing the next generation of conservation leaders.
Western Landowner Alliance: The Scale of Landowner Investments in Conservation Across the American West
By Lesli Allison, Shaleas Harrison, Avery Shawler, Louis Wertz
01/20/2026
Survey responses from 649 landowners owning 500 acres or more were collected and strategically weighted to provide a region-wide (specifically, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) estimate of private stewardship spending. Results showed that in 2024 alone, Western landowners owning parcels of 500 acres or more collectively invested more than $400 million of their own money in conservation efforts.
USDA-NRCS: Status and Trends of USDA Conservation Programs, 2002–2025
By Kate Binzen Fuller, Daniel Hellerstein, Andrew B. Rosenberg, Dipak Subedi, Catherine Feather, Rich Iovanna, Bryan Pratt and Roger Claassen
03/10/2026
This report provides a broad overview of major U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs that assist agricultural producers improve soil health, wildlife habitat, and water and air quality. We focus on Farm Bill conservation programs over the past four Farm Bills (2002, 2008, 2014, and 2018). Additionally, the report provides historical context regarding how these programs have been implemented under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Farm Progress: FSA payment rules make LLCs a great option
By Will McKinley
03/17/2026
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed last summer, introduced significant changes effective for the 2025 crop year (payments issued after October 2026) and extending programs through 2031. Not only did OBBBA increase payment caps and improve financial benefits to farmers, OBBBA significantly modernized entity treatment by classifying qualified pass-through entities like LLCs, S-corporations and limited partnerships as equivalent to general partnerships for payment attribution.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: NFWF Announces $8.7 Million in Grants from Conservation Partners Program
03/18/2026
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $8.7 million in grants to support the implementation of voluntary conservation practices on farms and ranches across eight states from the Midwest to western grasslands. The grants will generate $6.4 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $15.1 million. A complete list of the grants announced today is available here.
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Missouri Resources: Paying it Forward
By Andrew Sheeley | Missouri | North Central Region
01/16/2026
Hutsell is chairman of the Wright County Soil and Water Conservation District’s board in addition to serving as president of the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Informing both roles is a lifetime of farming and Hutsell’s recent success at adapting to change. Economic survival for all farmers means sometimes making hard decisions, and in Hutsell’s case, that required fully converting from a dairy farm to a beef cattle operation.
Lancaster Farming: Neighboring Stream Buffers a Win-Win for Farmers and Chesapeake Bay
By Dave Lefever | Narvon, PA | Northeast Region
03/13/2026
(Edited) Farmers and watershed restorationists alike believe a stream buffer project on a group of neighboring farms in eastern Lancaster County is a model for farmer-centered conservation. The project is a collaboration between the landowners, Stroud, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lancaster County Conservation District, USDA agencies, TeamAg, Inc., Weaver Environmental Consulting, Caernarvon Township, Lancaster Clean Water Partners and the Chesapeake Conservancy.
Blazing, Grazing, and other Wild Things Podcast: Local Voices, Lasting Conservation
Oklahoma | South Central Region
03/17/2026
In this episode of Blazin’ Grazin’ and Other Wild Things, the hosts sit down with Trey Lam and Lisa Knopf-Owen of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to explain how conservation works on the ground in Oklahoma. They break down the relationship between the Commission and local conservation districts, trace the agency’s roots back to the Dust Bowl, and share how locally led decisions help landowners tackle real challenges like flooding, brush encroachment, soil health, water quality, prescribed fire, and infrastructure needs.
The Herald Times: Seeds of recovery planted in Lee Fire burn area
By Jared Henderson | Meeker, CO | Southwest Region
03/18/2026
Volunteers from across the community gathered Feb. 27 to help restore hundreds of acres of land burned by last year’s Lee Fire, spreading thousands of native seeds across the Piceance Basin in an effort to stabilize soils and rebuild wildlife habitat. About 30 volunteers participated in the effort, helping reseed approximately 525 acres in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and the White River and Douglas Conservation District.
KOAA News55: Colorado bets big on water: Record sports betting revenue fuels water conservation projects
By Maggie Bryan | Jefferson County, CO | Southwest Region
03/18/2026
Denver Water and the Jefferson Conservation District are working together on the project to reduce erosion by slowing water flow and planting vegetation. Crews have been working at the site since February and expect to finish the project by the end of April.
Lebtown: Swatara Twp. farmer receives award for lifetime land stewardship excellence
By James Mentzer | Lebanon, PA | Northeast Region
03/18/2026
As a life-long farmer, Calvin Miller knows there’s a delicate balance between conserving the land and making his soil as productive as possible. That’s why he cherishes the opportunity to serve on the Lebanon County Conservation District’s board of directors. He knows decisions made now help preserve the land needed to grow food by future generations of local farmers.