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 Thanks Chief Bettencourt for Her Service, Welcomes Colton Buckley as NRCS Chief
05/18/2026
The National Association of Conservation Districts expresses its gratitude to Aubrey Bettencourt upon her departure as Chief of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and congratulates Colton L. Buckley on his selection to lead the agency effective May 18, 2026.
NACD Blog: Did You Know? Tips for Impactful Storytelling to Connect and Inspire
By Jackson Moody
05/19/2026
It is important to be able to translate the technical assistance work your district carries out into stories that connect with your constituents and beyond. You probably already do this through your website, newsletters, and social media. Below are some tips and resources to help you tell impactful, personal stories that will connect with your audience and inspire further engagement.
NPR: ‘We’re dry:’ The new U.S. Wildland Fire Service prepares for extreme fire season
By Henry Larson, Emily Feng, Tinbete Ermyas
05/09/2026
Across the country, wildland firefighters are staring down what could be one of the most severe fire seasons in recent history. Among those figuring out how to prepare is the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, a brand new agency created by the Trump administration.
Ag Proud: What’s in the 2026 Farm Bill?
By Carrie Veselka
05/14/2026
The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, the next iteration of the farm bill, was passed by the House of Representatives with a vote of 224-200 on April 30. The following is an abbreviated list of policies that would directly impact cattle producers.
Ag Proud: NRCS Chief Steps Down, ‘Youngest’ Leader in Agency History Takes the Helm
By John Dobberstein
05/18/2026
Aubrey Bettencourt, who championed a farmer-first approach to conservation programs, has exited the Trump administration as chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Colton L. Buckley, who was serving as associate chief of the NRCS and was previously chief of staff, takes the helm as the youngest chief in history at the massive agency, which provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners across the U.S. conserve natural resources.
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Farmers.gov: Fridays on the Farm: New Jersey Flower Farm Takes Off
By Jacob Bailey | Mercy County, NJ | Northeast Region
05/11/2026
This Friday, meet Rebecca Kutzer-Rice and Mark Ginsberg of Moonshot Farm, a flower farm in Mercer County, New Jersey. On just under 10 acres, the farm grows over 150 varieties of flowers and serves both local markets and nearby cities like New York and Philadelphia. This operation is blooming in more ways than one, making impressive strides in sustainability and agricultural innovation.
WNIJ News: How one program is working to bring Corn Belt farmers together for conservation agriculture
By Jess Savage | Stockton, IL | North Central Region
05/13/2026
He’s a regenerative farmer, which means that as much as he cares for his animals, he cares about his soil more. He used to work the land as intensely as any other conventional farmer, but he quit “cold turkey” years ago. Now, he’s cover-cropping, rotational-grazing, no-tilling and trying out any other conservation method he wants to experiment with.
USDA-NRCS: NRCS Staff Support Students at 2026 North Dakota Envirothon
By Shannon Mullane | Medina, ND | Northern Plains Region
05/15/2026
The event was hosted by Crystal Springs Camp and supported by a coalition of conservation districts, state agencies, universities and nonprofit partners. Sponsors included the North Dakota Forest Service, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Ducks Unlimited, Prairie Waters Education & Research Center, multiple Soil Conservation Districts and USDA NRCS.
Phys Org: Agriculture and conservation share common ground after Klamath dam removals, study finds
By Sean Nealon | Oregon | Pacific Region
05/19/2026
A new study of the largest dam removal project in United States history on the Klamath River in Oregon and California is offering new insight into a long-running water conflict by finding that farmers and conservation groups share priorities that may help guide decision-making on future river restoration projects. The work is published in the journal Society & Natural Resources.