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: Montana Conservation Districts Appointed to Missouri River Committee
By Casey Gallagher
01/06/20

In 2008, under the authority of the Secretary of the Army through the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) was established to provide a collaborative forum for developing a shared vision and comprehensive plan for the ecosystem restoration of the longest river in North America.

Pipestone County STAR: Year in Review
01/03/20

The Congressional Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry had held a public hearing on June 25 on the conservation and economic benefits of healthy soils, and Pipestone’s Ian Cunningham was one of the five people invited to testify. His testimony on the importance of soil health came as secretary-treasurer of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).

The Baltimore Sun: EPA official’s comments stir fear, confusion over future of Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts
By Scott Dance
01/07/20

Environmentalists and politicians worry Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts could be weakened, if not doomed, days after the federal official overseeing that work called an agreement to reduce water pollution an “aspirational” goal and not rules to be enforced.

E&E News: Notorious 'terminator weed' might be a climate change savior
By Ariel Wittenberg
01/06/20

(Subscriber Only) Federal biologist Matt Whitbeck is hopeful about the climate outlook on Maryland’s Eastern Shore because Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge has an adaptation plan to help marsh habitat migrate inland as the woodlands die, saving crucial breeding grounds for imperiled birds, including black rails.

PBS: Louisiana researchers tackle a changing Mississippi Delta
By Josh Landis
01/05/20

An effort to reconnect Louisiana wetlands to historical levels is taking place at Louisiana State University, where a 10,000-square-foot replica of the Mississippi Delta is now housed. Researchers are working to understand how man-made changes are impacting the Mississippi River and surrounding wetlands.

E&E News: EPA unveils plan to clean up Northeast's Great Bay
01/08/20

(Subscriber Only) Federal officials announced a plan to reduce pollution in one of the largest estuaries in the Northeast.

NBC News: Could farming secure the future of America's national parks?
By Lucy Sherriff
01/04/20

Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio allows farmers to be stewards of the land and protect its rich cultural heritage.

Phys.org: Research will help land managers take risk-analysis approach to new wildfire reality
By Steve Lundeberg
01/08/20

New digital tools developed by Oregon State University will enable land managers to better adapt to the new reality of large wildfires through analytics that guide planning and suppression across jurisdictional boundaries that fires typically don't adhere to.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers rolled out more than a dozen new bills Wednesday aimed at improving and promoting water quality in Wisconsin. 

Phys.org: Trees and doodlebugs emit methane – the question is, how?
By Rex Merrifield
01/07/20

Trees and insects may play a significant role in the emission of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—and improving our understanding of exactly how this happens could help in targeting more effective ways to fight global warming. 

Associated Press: Corps trying to make more space for Missouri River runoff
01/08/20

Despite more than doubling releases from its reservoir system, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers still doesn’t expect to eliminate all the leftover water from last year’s near record runoff that led to massive Missouri River flooding.

E&E News: Bill would encourage native plants on federal land
By Kellie Lunney
01/08/20

(Subscriber Only) Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) want the Interior Department to create a five-year pilot program promoting native plant species to preserve ecosystems and help reverse land and water degradation.

AgriNews: Reducing nitrogen runoff: Cover crops help solve problem
By Martha Blum
01/06/20

One way to control runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus is to have a growing crop on the field.

POLITICO: The $8B climate roadmap for farmers
By Ryan McCrimmon
01/08/20

The Center for American Progress in a new report today outlined policies that could generate additional revenue for farmers who adopt climate-friendly practices, like storing more carbon in soils, installing energy-efficient technology and protecting land from development.

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