In celebration of World Ocean Day, which was held yesterday, June 8, here’s a trivia question: What is the largest estuary in the United States? If you answered the Chesapeake Bay, you’re correct! The Chesapeake watershed spans across Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
It is estimated that over 17 million people live within its 64,000 square miles, and nearly 30 percent of the land is used for agricultural production. Sediment, nutrients and contaminants that run off the land and into waterways on their way to the ocean have been a decades-long challenge for the Chesapeake Bay.
States are working to address this challenge and reduce this nonpoint source pollution. For example, protecting the Chesapeake Bay is a driver for cover cropping and no-till work across the mid-Atlantic.
In Maryland, the
Talbot Soil Conservation District, with over 600 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline, reports that more than 74 percent of eligible cropland in the county was planted with cover crops in 2019.
In Virginia, the
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), an urban cost-share program administered by the
Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and participating SWCDs, provides financial incentives and technical and educational assistance to property owners that install eligible conservation practices such as rain gardens, living shorelines (pictured above) and permeable pavement to mitigate runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.
How is your district engaged in coastal conservation? Share a post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram throughout the month of June, using the hashtag #DistrictsConserveCoasts for a chance to win a pair of
Yeti mugs!
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KOOTENAI-SHOSHONE SWCD, IDAHO
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In 2019, the
Kootenai-Shoshone Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) in Idaho
received an NACD Urban and Community (UAC) Conservation Grant
to help bring produce to low income families in the northern area of the state. In partnership with the Kootenai Environmental Alliances (KEA) Gathering Garden, the SWCD implemented the Gathering Garden 2019 Enhancement and Expansion Project. This project aimed to improve the Gathering Garden’s capacity to support the growing, harvesting and distribution of produce to low income families in northern Idaho and surrounding communities.
The first part of the project produced examples of conservation techniques, including installing water efficient drip irrigation lines and building and installing new compost bins. The new irrigation system dramatically decreased water output and physical labor while increasing food production. The garden added an additional 500 square feet, which produced more for local food facilities. The new composting bins and chipper shredder improved compost-making at the garden. Organic materials were broken down better, and the bins provided more airflow, enabling quicker decomposition. The materials are ready to return to the soil and provide more available nutrients for growing produce this season.
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The second part of the project facilitated three free community workshops at the Gathering Garden. These focused on proper urban garden irrigation techniques, urban composting and urban garden seed harvest and storage techniques. Knowledgeable speakers shared their expertise on each subject. There was an average of 12-15 attendees at each workshop, which allowed for interactive discussions and hands-on participation. Gathering Garden facilitators received positive feedback for each workshop, and attendees expressed interest in future workshops.
Project promotion for the Gathering Garden 2019 Enhancement and Expansion Project was posted on the SWCD, Garden and KEA’s websites and Facebook pages, as well as during each workshop and community event. The project increased overall growth and support from local connections and volunteers.
The Gathering Garden has taken steps to ensure project sustainability and to continue developing services through community outreach, conservation education and local food bank donations. In response to expanding interest and support from neighboring higher education institutions, regional school districts and the community at large, the Gathering Garden is enhancing its capacity.
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GRAZING ASSISTANCE AND YOUTH OUTREACH IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
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When the district received its first grant in 2018, they brought on
Rebecca Carr
as the technical assistant. With time, Carr shifted roles, becoming the district’s office manager.
Maggie Swonger
was then hired to fill the NACD grant position.
The technical assistant spends time visiting landowners with other district staff, assisting with conservation plan development and project design related to water quality and soil health. With rotational grazing being a big practice in the county, the district staff helps many landowners establish exclusion fencing to keep animals out of creeks and ponds.
“Our office is extremely busy with people needing technical assistance and getting contracts in and out the door,”
Carr said.
“Having the NACD grant employee has really assisted us in being able to get more work done and benefit more people.”
The NACD grant has allowed both Carr and Swonger to see the full process, starting with day one when the landowner comes in with their concerns to the final completion of the project. “It really has been a great learning process,”
Carr said.
To read the rest of the story,
click here
. To learn more about NACD’s Technical Assistance grants or to read other TA success stories, visit the NACD Technical Assistance Grants
webpage.
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JUNE U&C WEBINAR FOCUSES ON LAND MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
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The next NACD Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation webinar, scheduled for
12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern on
June 18, 2020, will explore Land Management Certification programs.
The
Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) in Maine offers conservation district certification for landowners who are implementing conservation practices. It works at larger and smaller scales, including conservation farm and forest certification and eco-landscape certification for residential properties. Owners receive assistance on-site; resources to implement conservation practices (guides and checklists); and a certification evaluation, certificate and a sign to put on the property.
The Waldo SWCD has also implemented two innovative educational programs that teach adaptive conservation practices for a changing landscape: an eco-landscape program for urban and residential properties and a program for woodland owners called Forests for Our Future.
The presentation will include time for participants to share similar programs or plans they have for helping landowners learn and implement conservation practices.
These popular webinars, held on the third Thursday of each month, are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation in partnership with the NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To register, click
here. If you have difficulty, please contact NACD Senior Advisor
Debra Bogar at
deb-bogar@nacdnet.org.
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D.C. Office Closed
Until
July 6
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NACD’s Washington, D.C. office will remain closed with staff teleworking until
Monday, July 6
in light of the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
NACD wants to ensure the continuity of normal business operations, and you can reach NACD staff during regular business hours as usual via email or by calling the main line: (202) 547-NACD. We will continue to update our members on any changes during this time.
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EPA Now Accepting Coastal Watershed
Grant Applications
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Estuary Program is currently accepting applications for its Coastal Watersheds Grant Program.
This program funds coastal resource conservation within specific estuaries of national significance. Letters of intent for this grant are due
Friday, Aug. 7
.
More information, including the application information and geographic areas that qualify, can be found
here.
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NACD Submits Letter on PILT and SRS Programs
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Last week, NACD sent a letter to Congress, asking for members to consider the unique circumstances impacting rural communities by turning their attention to Payments In-Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Securing Rural Schools (SRS) programs.
Rural communities that include tax-exempt federal lands or that are timber-dependent rely on PILT and SRS programs to ensure critical infrastructure needs are met. This includes funding the National Firewise Communities Program.
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Farm Journal Releases New Farmer
Research Reports
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Farm Journal recently published two research reports developed in collaboration with The Sustainability Consortium (TSC) and the American Public Media (APM).
"
U.S. Farmer Perspectives on Data
," was published in partnership with TSC, and provides a roadmap for engaging with farmers to scale the collection and sharing of farm-level production data, a key pre-requisite for measuring the adoption of conservation agricultural practices.
The APM report
,
“
U.S. Farmer Perspectives on Water,
”
f
ocuses on farmer awareness, understanding, concern and willingness to take action about water issues. It provides a communicator’s road map to help drive more effective and efficient engagement with farmers. Simultaneously with this study, APM produced companion research of consumer perceptions of water issues, which you can find
here.
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Deadline Approaching:
P2 Accepting 2020 Farmer Rancher Award
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The Pollinator Partnership (P2) and NACD are still seeking submissions for its 2020 U.S. Farmer Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award.
Each year, awards are given in recognition of all the work that goes into protecting American pollinator populations.
The U.S. Farmer Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award recognizes the unique contributions that members of the agricultural community make to pollinators where they are needed most: supporting our food supply.
To learn more and submit a nomination form, please visit
P2's website
. Nominations are due
Friday, July 10
.
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Celebrate National Gardening Week with Fairfax County's
Virtual Garden Tour
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This week is National Gardening Week! Looking for ways to celebrate beyond your own backyard? Check out Fairfax County's Virtual Sustainable Garden Tour!
Launched last week, this program coordinates with local landowners to increase neighbor-to-neighbor learning and networking. This year, the Farifax Food Council's Urban Agriculture Workshop is co-sponsoring the tour to showcase properties that promote urban agriculture.
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Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's
Calendar of Events
!
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