Conservation Clips are a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. If you have a relevant submission, please contact your NACD Communications Team.
| NACD Blog: BLM Releases Wild Horse and Burro Sustainability Report 05/03/18
On April 27, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released its long-awaited report on a comprehensive plan to address the overpopulation of wild horses and burros on federal lands. The New York Times: In Fire-Scorched Oklahoma, Help Comes One Bale at a Time By Mitch Smith 04/29/18 The hay began arriving before the fires were out. For ranchers whose grazing land was destroyed by wildfires that tore across western Oklahoma this month, the cylindrical bales were an economic lifeline, a way to feed cattle marooned on grassless patches of charred red soil. Minn Post: Grow, don’t gut, CSP funding in the Farm Bill By Tara Ritter 04/27/18 (Opinion) To be optimally effective, CSP should be expanded in the Farm Bill. More than half, and up to 75 percent, of all qualified applicants are turned away each year. If the program were adequately funded, more farmers could access the assistance they need to improve their land, water and natural resource base, both for their own benefit and for the greater good of public and environmental health. Penn Live: One tree planted, another 10 million to go as Pa. initiative begins By Paul Vigna 04/30/18 National, state and local partners gathered on a Lancaster County farm on April 24 for the announcement of one of Pennsylvania’s most ambitious, collaborative and challenging efforts to restore and protect its rivers and streams – the planting of 10 million trees by the end of 2025. Bay Journal: Bay ag conservation programs await details of pending Farm Bill By Karl Blankenship 04/30/18 Congress has started to debate how to direct hundreds of billions of dollars to implement the nation’s farm and nutrition policies in the coming years, and the outcome could have a major impact on Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals. NPR: Homes Or Gardens? Developers And Urban Farmers Grapple Over Vacant Land By Lea Ceasrine 04/28/18 This network of gardens is threatened by housing developers, in part due to a need for affordable housing in the community. A recently completed development plan for Brownsville would add 2,500 affordable units to the neighborhood, built atop dozens of vacant lots. But some of that development would displace gardens — and not all the housing being developed is necessarily affordable. High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal: Perdue announces additional hurricane and wildfire recovery details 05/02/18 Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced new details on eligibility for a new U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster program, 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program. In total, USDA’s Farm Service Agency will deploy up to $2.36 billion to help producers with recovery of their agricultural operations. Wisconsin State Farmer: Next Generation in Agriculture Act supports young, beginning farmers 05/01/18 U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced a bipartisan bill on April 26 to support programs that help new and beginning farmers and ranchers enter and remain in the industry, build the next generation of farmers, and feed the country and the world. The Weather Channel: Hurricanes May Have Moved Invasive Species to New Locations; New USGS Maps Reveal Where By Pam Wright 04/27/18 Flooding and storm surge from last year’s spate of hurricanes not only displaced thousands of people, it may have relocated hundreds of invasive aquatic species to new locations. More than 200 non-native aquatic species, including alligators and snails, may be setting up new residence after hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate. Aberdeen News: Unlikely partners find common ground in fight against salty soils By Andrew Johnson 04/27/18 Earlier this year the South Dakota Corn Growers Association and Pheasants Forever both pledged $100,000 toward a saline soils initiative. As a result, perennial grasses and the resulting wildlife habitat they provide could soon take the place of struggling row crops on white-caked saline soils. The Seattle Times: New York state giving $2.2 million for forestry projects 04/28/18 New York state is celebrating Arbor Day in a big way, releasing $2.2 million in grants for tree planting and community forestry projects across the state. AP News: Senate votes to nullify Minnesota wild rice water standard By Steve Karnowski 04/30/18 The Minnesota Senate voted 38-28 Monday to nullify a water quality standard that’s meant to protect wild rice, a food central to the culture and diet of the region’s Ojibwe Indians. |