June 2020 Newsletter
Partners for Conservation Conducting Survey of Western Collaborative Conservation Efforts

Partners for Conservation strongly believes that diverse perspectives working collaboratively have huge potential to solve landscape-level challenges all across our nation.That's why PFC is currently conducting a survey of over 260 collaborative conservation efforts underway in eight western states. One of the founding principles of Partners for Conservation is that collaboration gets work done, and in this survey we hope to learn more about these groups, what they are working on and what they are getting done.

Bill aims to help farmers sell carbon credits while a think tank proposes dramatic expansion of farmland easements to protect farms and sequester 70 M tons of carbon by 2030.

The agriculture industry would be able to participate in a growing carbon credit market under bipartisan legislation introduced recently, which would funnel money to farmers who use sustainable practices. 

Meanwhile, the Center for American Progress (CAP) says that the government can buffer the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on farmers, ranchers, and forest owners by a dramatic expansion of conservation easement programs that prevent development of private lands, while also sequestering carbon.
Our Amazing Grasslands

”We’re trying to look at it in a systems approach instead of separating all the enterprises as stand-alone enterprises, but to make them come together as one system and how they both benefit from each other." Jamie Johnson, Frankfurt, SD
2020 Leopold Conservation Award® 
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, these awards recognize farmers and foresters in many U.S. states who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land.




Photo: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Partner/Private Lands News
Ranching & Agriculture

A new resource for farmers and their partners is available to help increase conservation and collaboration: the Producer-Led Group Roadmap : Finding success in farmer-led watershed organizations.

Gustafson Farm in Watertown becomes part of Connecticut Farmland Trust. The Gustafson easement is an example of local organizations successfully working together. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Housatonic Valley Association, and CFT were each involved in the farm’s preservation.
My father worked so hard,” said Gustafson’s daughter, “and we are just so happy and relieved that the farm will be preserved. Everyone who comes here comments on what a beautiful spot this is and I think my father would be very proud.” At the moment, the only activity is haying, which is being done by Barnosky’s son. In the future the family is hoping to begin growing fruits and vegetables again and reopening the farm stand.

Novel deal protects habitat, mining jobs near Lovelock, NV

Water

Water conservation in the Great Lakes region would not seem to be a pressing concern, however climate change could bring wetter conditions to the Midwest, bringing flooding, coastal erosion, damage to infrastructure and private property, while negatively impacting water quality and economic productivity.

Wildlife, Recreation & Education

The Great American Outdoors Act passes Senate with bipartisan support.
The legislation will alleviate a national park project backlog and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

MDC Adds Grassland Tract To Public Prairie In Western Missouri

Very little of Canada’s grasslands remain and the cattle sector is essential to preserving what’s left, conservation organizations told the federal environment minister in a letter in April.

Never-plowed land adjacent to the Willa Cather Memorial Prairie will be preserved

Forests

County Approves Purchase of 197-Acre McKay Community Expansion; New Public Trail Access Planned

North Dakota Forest Service accepting Trees Awards nominations
A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR

Hello from Ovando,

I hope your summer is going well and that you are staying healthy! Partners for Conservation continues to be in a no travel mode, but it doesn’t seem that we are missing out on too many events as everything continues to be canceled, postponed or virtual. We do miss seeing all of you and we continue to experiment with virtual platforms like Zoom to try and stay connected.

Look for an opportunity or two for us to get together online over the rest of the summer and fall. We know it remains a challenge to stay connected during this strange period in our country’s history, but staying connected and keeping relationships strong is no less important than it was this time last year. We just have more challenges to overcome. We are working on it and hope to “see” many of you on the web in the weeks and months ahead!

Yours in Conservation
Jim Stone, Montana
From Cotton to Bermuda to Native Grass: the 77 Ranch of Central Texas

Check out some stories from Partners for Conservation Board member Gary Price, of the award-winning 77 Ranch in north central Texas. Gary spent some time with us explaining his thoughts and philosophy of land management and partnerships. This is the second installment in our series, where you can find links to the remaining three articles in the series as well.

#FridaysOnTheFarm 

Meet Eric and Amy Kinman, owners of Meadowlark Farm, a regenerative farming operation located in rural Gasconade County, Missouri. Rooted on 8 acres, Meadowlark Farm began with just six head of heritage breed feeder pigs in 2013. Today, six head of hogs are shipped to the processor every two weeks. Both their cattle and hog herds live on pasture and woodlots year-round, and graze cover crops - including oats, forage pea, succotash, turnips, giant beets, and clover- in the spring and fall. They began by selling produce and meats at their local farmer’s market. “Farmers markets give producers a start – a good incubator for their business.” - Amy Kinman

Each Friday, meet diverse farmers, producers, and landowners through #FridaysOnTheFarm stories. Visit local farms, ranches, forests, and resource areas where USDA customers and partners do right and feed everyone.
Fly fishing guide Gary Lang wades in on conservation and his passion for angling

Gary Lang is proof that conservation and commerce aren’t mutually exclusive. In making a living as a fly fishing guide in the streams of West Virginia, Lang also is helping look after them. While serving as president of the local Trout Unlimited chapter, Lang worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on several habitat improvement projects, many of them conducted on the streams where he guides.

Nature’s Good Neighbors: 
The US Fish and Wildlife Service 2018  Nature’s Good Neighbors series showcases conservationists across the nation, many of whom are private landowners with some on the PFC board!
Private Lands Conservation Events & Funding Announcements
FUNDING
Texas Wildlife Habitat Funding
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program, project with the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture – Grassland Restoration Incentives Program partnership. The application deadline is July 16, 2020.

EVENTS
The Prairie Pothole Conservation Association is making plans to host the 38th annual Prairie Pothole Day on Sept. 12 at Stoney Ridge Farm in Minnesota.

Check out the upcoming Soil Health Academies to be held from June through November 2020 in MI, ID, and AL.
ABOUT PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION

Partners for Conservation (PFC) is a private landowner-led organization which communicates and collaborates on conservation partnerships for working landscapes to benefit present and future generations. 
Consider Joining Partners for Conservation
Consider becoming a member of Partners for Conservation. Partners for Conservation works to support collaboration and public-private partnerships as the first choice for conserving our national working landscapes for people and nature. More information on membership can be found on our website.
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