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: Kentucky’s Henry County CD hits their stride with grant from NRCS
By Candice Abinanti
07/30/20

In Henry County, Ky., “tobacco paid the bills for a long time,” remarks Curtis Coombs, a soil conservation technician covering Henry and Oldham Counties.

NACD Blog: Engineering Support Through an NACD Technical Assistance Grant
By Katrina Vaitkus
07/27/20

Thanks to an NACD Technical Assistance Grant, Shavano Conservation District (SCD) in Montrose, Colo., was able to ease the engineering backlog in their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

NACD Blog: NEPA Update: Final Rule Released
By Mary Scott
07/27/20

On Wednesday, July 15, President Trump announced the final rule implementing changes to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).

TEN15AM: Young Farmers Rewarded for Conservation, Community Work
07/28/20

The [Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA)] is seeking nominations for its 2021 class of young farmers. The program’s goal is to highlight young farmers and recognize their contributions and achievements in farming and their community. It is administered by the U.S. Junior Chamber and the National Association of Conservation Districts.

EcoWatch: Don't Plant Mystery Seeds From China, Agriculture Authorities Warn
By Olivia Rosane
07/28/20

At least 27 states have warned their residents not to plant any seeds they receive from mysterious, unsolicited packages that appear to have been sent from China, The New York Times reported Sunday.

The Texas Tribune: Texas ranchers, activists and local officials are bracing for megadroughts brought by climate change
By Meena Venkataramanan
07/27/20

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University warns that droughts in the latter part of this century could be the worst on record.

High Plains Journal: Journey into farm frontier: Soil health researchers study dual use of no-till and fire management
By Dave Bergmeier
07/24/20

Lisa Fultz, an Oklahoma native and faculty member at Louisiana State University, along with her team, is researching how no-till and prescribed burning might work together to build soil properties.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Where Soil Health Meets Public Health: Cover Crops in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
By Havala Schumacher
07/28/20

Using cover crops in northern latitudes is a challenge due to shorter growing seasons. However, the challenges can be just as significant in the far south of the United States.

ScienceDaily: Decline of bees, other pollinators threatens U.S. crop yields
07/28/20

Crop yields for apples, cherries and blueberries across the United States are being reduced by a lack of pollinators, according to new research, the most comprehensive study of its kind to date.

Medium: Saving the Sagebrush Sea
07/28/20

While the greater sage-grouse, with its spectacular mating dance, is perhaps the most well known, an estimated 350 species of wildlife — including nearly 200 migratory and western birds, migrating mule deer and pronghorn, and 630 species of conservation concern — reside within the Sagebrush Sea.

Albany Herald: Grants will help protect wildlife habitat in Georgia, other states
07/26/20

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced this week $1.3 million in grants to restore, enhance, and protect shortleaf pine, oak and riparian forests and in-stream habitats for wildlife in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Civil Eats: Agroforestry Is Both Climate Friendly and Profitable
By Stephanie Hanes
07/24/20

Incorporating trees into farmland benefits everything from soil health to crop production to the climate. Investors say it might also yield profits.

AgWired: USDA Undersecretary Updates NCBA on Grasslands Management
By Cindy Zimmerman
07/30/20

The Forest Service manages 3.8 million acres of National Grasslands across 12 Western States. They are managed sustainably with the help of some 6200 permitted ranching families, who pride themselves as conservationists, ensuring that these lands will remain productive for generations to come.

The Oklahoman: War against wild hogs rages on across Oklahoma
By Ed Godfrey
07/26/20

More than a million wild pigs live in Oklahoma and they cause extensive damage to pasture and crop lands annually, state agriculture officials say.

Phys.org: Report provides new framework for understanding climate risks, impacts to U.S. agriculture
07/30/20

A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture focuses on how agricultural systems are impacted by climate change and offers a list of 20 indicators that provide a broad look at what's happening across the country.

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