MACD Secures $3M in State Funding for Conservation Districts 11/18/2021
This September, the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) secured base operational funding from Michigan’s State Legislative budget for the first time in 12 years. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded 169 grants totaling an estimated $9.7 million to 75 Michigan conservation districts (CDs) to implement voluntary conservation practices on private…… Continue reading →
Ohio Districts Host Music Festival for Water Conservation 10/21/2021
Pickin’ at the Park, a bluegrass music festival, was created to raise awareness of the Caesar Creek watershed and water quality. It was hosted by Warren, Greene, and Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), who provide leadership to the Caesar Creek Collaborative (CCC). The CCC, whose mission is to improve and protect the…… Continue reading →
Westmoreland CD Relaunches Decades Old Flood Control Project in Jacobs Creek 09/15/2021
Over 50 years ago, Westmoreland Conservation District (WCD) in Pennsylvania worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Service (SCS), now the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), on a flood control project in Jacobs Creek. Floods were causing extensive damage to Scottdale and its surrounding areas, so a unique watershed-wide flood-control project (PL…… Continue reading →
Wasatch CD Improves Water Quality in the Wallburg Watershed 08/18/2021
By Katrina Stacey In Wasatch County, Utah, Deer Creek Reservoir serves as the main drinking water source for 65 percent of all Utahans; however, water quality and other resource concerns have been identified by local landowners. Total maximum daily load (TMDL) and water quality studies showed that phosphorous loads in the reservoir were very high,…… Continue reading →
Westmoreland Conservation District Highlights BMPs in Special Web Portfolio 07/15/2021
By Katrina Stacey In Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, the Westmoreland Conservation District has been working diligently to install best management practices and green infrastructure in the community. These projects, implemented with the help of local partners including local municipalities, school districts, watershed organizations, farmers and the Westmoreland County Community College, have made great strides in preventing…… Continue reading →
Delaware County SWCD Improves River Flow, Aquatic Habitat and Recreation on the White River 07/15/2021
By Katrina Stacey In Muncie, Indiana, where there are numerous dams that are either degraded or no longer needed, the Delaware County SWCD found partners to help fund the removal of two low-head dams and the modification of a third along the White River. The two dams removed with this project were no longer functional.…… Continue reading →
A Cover and Capture Approach to Protect and Reduce Surface Runoff 06/14/2021
By Katrina Stacey In Clermont County, Ohio, a 2,160-acre reservoir serves as a drinking water and recreation source for about half of the county. Unfortunately, since around 2010, the reservoir began experiencing harmful algal blooms that threatened the health and safety of its water. To address the issue, partners within the area began to focus…… Continue reading →
Maine Conservation Districts Make Good Use of Demonstration Forests 04/14/2021
By Linda Brownson Maine conservation districts make good use of demonstration forests and provide high value to landowners and communities. Located in York, Oxford, Somerset and Piscataquis counties, these sites demonstrate best forestry management practices, active timber management, forest ecology and responsible stewardship, while also providing educational tools for students, private woodland owners and professional…… Continue reading →
Westmoreland Conservation District awards Frye Family as 2020 Conservation Farmer of the Year 04/14/2021
[caption id="attachment_43040" align="alignright" width="353"] Photo credit: Westmoreland Conservation District[/caption] The Westmoreland Conservation District (CD) in Westmoreland County, Pa., has been recognizing outstanding conservation farmers since 1953 with its annual "Conservation Farmer of the Year" Award. Each year, the CD's Board of Directors votes to choose the awardee based on recommendations provided by the district's agricultural…… Continue reading →
Q&A with NACD’s Former Northern Plains Region Executive Board Member Bevin Law 04/14/2021
Bevin Law (pictured right) of Kansas served as the Northern Plains Region NACD Executive Board member for two full terms from 2017-2021. NACD interviewed Bevin in January 2021 to hear his perspective about his time on the board and what he’s experienced and appreciated over the years of work with conservation. The Northern Plains Region…… Continue reading →