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 Annual Meeting TA Grant Participant: Kalani Fortina
06/24/22

This blog post is part of a nine-part series highlighting technical assistance (TA) grant recipient participation at NACD’s 76th Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL. This post’s author, Kalani Fortina of Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District in Nebraska, attended the meeting as a TA speaker.

NACD: NACD Applauds Release of EPA Programs Covered Under Justice40 Initiative
06/28/22

NACD applauds the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent announcement of the initial list of programs covered under the Justice40 Initiative. The Justice40 Initiative established the goal of directing 40 percent of certain federal investments to benefit disadvantaged communities. Several programs that are included on this initial list are central to the work that conservation districts do across the country to implement conservation and natural resources management.

NACD: NACD Applauds Release of DOI Programs Covered Under Justice40 Initiative
06/29/22

NACD applauds the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) recent announcement of the initial list of programs covered under the Justice40 Initiative. The Justice40 Initiative established the goal of directing 40 percent of certain federal investments to benefit disadvantaged communities. Several programs that are included on this initial list are central to the work that conservation districts do across the country to implement conservation and natural resources management.

PBS Newshour: Heat is a Pollen Killer, and That's a Problem for the Future of Agriculture
By Carolyn Beans
06/24/22

Many factors contribute to poor harvest but one point is becoming alarmingly clear to scientists: heat is a pollen killer. Even with adequate water, heat can damage pollen and prevent fertilization in canola and many other crops, including corn, peanuts, and rice.

Successful Farming: Beneficial Insects Help Cropping Systems
By Raylene Nickel
06/27/22

The combined activity of beneficial insects contributes to the overall profitability of the farm. The economic benefits spin from multiple services performed by helpful insects. Pollination of flowering crops by insects boosts yields, for instance. The predation of some beneficial insects on crop pests may reduce the need for insecticides and fungicides.

Gizmodo: 9 Invasive Plants You Should Rip to Shreds
By Angely Mercado
06/27/22

Invasive species are horrible for their adopted environments, which may not have have natural predators that can keep their numbers in check. They choke out other plants that are just trying to strive in their rightful place, and that hurts native animals and insects that rely on the native plant to be their habitat or food source.

AgWeek: The Answer to Soil Health is Not Blowing in the Wind
By Ann Bailey
06/27/22

Although we can hear the wind, we don’t feel its effects until we leave the farmstead and drive a couple hundred yards through the tree groves on both sides of the road. Whatever the reasons for soil loss, we need to figure out a solution because the topsoil increasingly is being depleted.

Successful Farming: Relentless Heat is Taking a Toll on Crops
06/27/22

Weeks of excessive temperatures are putting the stress on farmers in South Dakota, Alabama, and in other states across the country. Producers recount how the extreme heat is impacting their operation.

NOAA: Biden Administration Announces Historic Coastal and Climate Resilience Funding
06/29/22

U.S. Commerce Secretary announced funding opportunities from NOAA's $2.96 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to address the climate crisis and strengthen coastal resilience and infrastructure. Over the next five years, NOAA’s targeted investments in the areas of habitat restoration, coastal resilience, and climate data and services will advance ongoing federal efforts toward building climate resilience.

Agri-Pulse: Interior Department Invests in Monarch Conservation
By Sara Wyant
06/29/22

(Subscriber only) The Department of Interior announced that it will award $1 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund and that FWS will create the Pollinator Conservation Center to amplify the conservation efforts.

AgWeek: Wisconsin Orchard Thrives in Company of Native Pollinators
By Noah Fish | Mineral Point, WI | North Central Region
06/25/22

This Wisconsin orchard recently enhanced the pollinator habitat by planting a 30-acre prairie, putting prairie strips around the orchard, adding milkweed seeds for monarchs, alternating the mowing in alleyways so every other row is flowering, and using certified organic products.

Go Upstate: Goals of Spartanburg Soil and Water Conservation District Reflect Pioneers
By Beth Button | Spartanburg, SC | Southeast Region
06/25/22

Today, the goals of the Spartanburg Soil and Water Conservation District reflect those of the pioneers in conservation: "To promote the wise and responsible use of our natural resources through education, demonstration, and technical services for the benefit of all citizens of Spartanburg County.”

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Nevada Conserves Lake Mead, but Big Cuts to the River Still May Come
By Colton Lochhead | Las Vegas, NV | Southwest Region
06/25/22

Lake Mead’s levels have continued to decline over the past two decades as a persistent drought has strained the Colorado River, a vital water supply for roughly 40 million people. As of Thursday, the water level at Lake Mead was at 1,043.7 feet above sea level. In early 2000, the lake level was over 1,200 feet.

KSTU: Wildfire Burning in Eastern Nevada Mountains
By Spencer Burt | Elko County, NV | Southwest Region
06/26/22

A wildfire broke out Saturday afternoon in a mountain range near the Utah-Nevada border. The fire was estimated at 20 acres as of Saturday evening, burning in a rugged and remote area high in the mountains near Goshute Peak.

KXAN: Crews Mostly Contain 463-Acre Wildfire in Blanco County
By Christopher Adams & Taylor Girtman | Blanco County, TX |
South Central Region
06/26/22

Fire crews have almost contained a large brushfire in Blanco County Saturday. The “Archer Fire” is about 462.8 acres and 90% contained as of late Saturday, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Portland Press Herald: Scientists Trace Black Stains on Beachgoers' Feet to Invasive Species
By Peter McGuire | Portland, ME | Northeast Region
06/26/22

Piles of millions upon millions of dead insects that stained beachgoers’ feet in southern Maine last summer were the end result of an exploding population of an invasive pest slowly killing the region’s native hemlock trees, according to new research from state and federal scientists.

Ohio's Country Journal: Cover Crop Funding Now Available to All Ohio Producers
Columbus, OH | North Central Region
06/26/22

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a second round of funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives (EQIP) Cover Crop Initiative. Agricultural producers across the state of Ohio are eligible to apply for financial and technical assistance to plant cover crops by the July 5, 2022 deadline.

WTXF: New Jersey Wildfire 100 Percent Contained at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest
Manchester Township, NJ | Northeast Region
06/27/22

Officials have successfully contained a wildfire that broke out at another New Jersey state forest this weekend. Crews responded to the fire at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest on Sunday afternoon. They announced the wildfire was 100 percent contained after reaching 350 acres Monday morning.

SF Gate: Just How Bad Will California's Summer Wildfire Season Be?
By Amy Graff | San Francisco, CA | Pacific Region
06/27/22

California's wildfire season intensifies between July and October when temperatures soar, vegetation becomes bone dry and desiccating winds develop. The peak season that has been marked by devastating blazes and smoky skies in recent years is approaching fast, and many are wondering just how bad it will be.

News10: Farmers Wanted to Help Protect Lake Champlain
By Jay Petrequin | Warren County, NY | Northeast Region
06/27/22

The Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking farmers to participate in the Lake Champlain Cover Crop Program do their part in reducing soil erosion and runoff, as well as leaching of phosphorus. The program also equips farmers with ways to conserve soil, keep weeds away, and improve on the overall health of farming soil.

KSVI: How to Help Pollinators
By Kietyn Frost | Billings, MT | Northern Plains Region
06/27/22

Pollinator week ended on June 26, but the importance of pollinators in our ecosystem is still relevant. The National Park Service has an initiative called Conservation at Home, aimed to show people how they can help protect and conserve the natural world.

Gizmodo: Alaska Set Ablaze in Record Breaking Wildfire Season
By Angely Mercado | Alaska | Pacific Region
06/27/22

Alaska is struggling through a record breaking wildfire season. A million acres have burned as of June 15, the earliest in decades. The fires are being fueled by unusually dry and warm weather in the region. More than 300 wildfires have burned recently and about 100 are still burning across the state.

Santa Fe New Mexican: Wildfire Destroys Ranchers' Summer Grasslands
By Nathan Burton | Santa Fe, NM | Southwest Region
06/27/22

Grassland habitats throughout the Northern Great Plains will receive a $12 million boost from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The foundation is awarding 18 grants to various agencies throughout the Northern Great Plains.

KFYR: $12 Million in Grants Awarded to Boost Grassland Habitat
By Joel Crane | Bismarck, ND | Northern Plains Region
06/27/22

Grassland habitats throughout the Northern Great Plains will receive a $12 million boost from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The foundation is awarding 18 grants to various agencies throughout the Northern Great Plains.

VT Digger: In Struggle to Protect Lake Champlain, Prospects of More Invasive Species are Worrisome
By Kathryn Field | Montpelier, VT | Northeast Region
06/27/22

Lake Champlain is home to many nonnative and invasive species, but the fear is that it may soon become home to more. The concern is that invasive species can displace native species, disrupting the ecosystem and causing problems such as pollution, algae blooms, and a change in what can survive and prosper in the lake.

The Record: Urban Bees Collaboration Wins USDA Grant
By Talia Ogliore | St. Louis, MO | North Central Region
06/28/22

A team that received early support from the Living Earth Collaborative was awarded a $633,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to evaluate pollination in orchards across the city of St. Louis. They will examine how factors such as human population density, socioeconomic status, soil type and surrounding vegetation impact insect numbers and fruit yield.

Coloradoan: Wildfire Burning in Northern Larimer County Now 150 Acres, 40% Contained
By Miles Blumhardt | Larimer County, CO | Southeast Region
06/28/22

A lightning-caused wildfire burning in northern Larimer County has grown to 150 acres as of Tuesday night, with 40% containment reported. The fire started late Monday evening from multiple lightning strikes. It's burning near Halligan Reservoir, and emergency responders have called it the Halligan Fire.

Farm & Ranch Guide: Trinity Creek Ranch Interseeds Cover Crops for Long-Term Grazing
By Andrea Johnson | Red Lake Falls, MN | North Central Region
06/28/22

Even in winter months, this ranch has successfully fed cows on field crop residue plus big round bales of hay set up in grids. One of the keys to their success is treating harvested fields as grazing lands. The Taberts/Millers put their cattle out on farmland with temporary or permanent fencing to eat crop residue and cover crops.

SF Gate: This is the Biggest Wildfire in California Right Now
By Amy Graff | Nevada County, CA | Pacific Region
06/29/22

The Rices Fire exploded in Nevada County, 150 miles northeast of San Francisco, on Tuesday afternoon, and quickly became the largest California wildfire currently burning. There are nearly 700 personnel, 80 fire engines and 11 dozers assigned to the blaze, Cal Fire said in its Wednesday incident report.