District working to improve Cleveland’s tree canopy 11/18/2019
Ohio’s Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is in the early stages of work on a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project that would expand tree planting and landowner education on larger properties. It’s part of a broader effort by the district, with help from government entities, to increase tree canopy in urban areas.…… Continue reading →
Central New York district promotes growing food instead of lawns 07/10/2019
By Marissa Phelps In 2019, the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) located in Central New York was awarded funding through the National Association of Conservation Districts’ (NACD) Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Initiative to develop a new program promoting urban agriculture and natural resource conservation. “Fresh Connections: Promoting Urban Agriculture and Natural Resource…… Continue reading →
San Antonio’s Mission Reach urban ecosystem restoration provides many benefits 02/12/2019
By NACD Southeast Region Representative Candice Abinanti Strolling along San Antonio, Texas,’ Historic Downtown River Walk, it can be easy to overlook the infrastructure that keeps the water in the San Antonio River level. After all, San Antonio has a history with flooding. During the 73rd NACD Annual Meeting, the Association of Texas Soil and Water…… Continue reading →
2018 Farm Bill Breakdown: Urban Conservation 01/28/2019
Urban agriculture is a small but growing sector of the agriculture industry. Urban producers face both challenges familiar to any farmer, like accessing land and credit, as well as challenges unique to the urban setting – like soil contamination. The 2018 Farm Bill included several provisions designed to increase urban agricultural production and tackle challenges…… Continue reading →
Celebrate Pollinator Week – Five Ways You Can Help Today 06/18/2018
By NACD Communications Manager Sara Kangas As spring concludes and summer finally arrives, you're likely seeing more critters around your garden hard at work. Today marks the beginning of National Pollinator Week, an annual event to raise awareness of the animals and invertebrates that make our ecosystems function. In addition to graphics on NACD's social…… Continue reading →
Vermont district is helping to show the value of urban forestry 06/18/2018
Caring for the canopy is a top priority of Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD). With 47 municipalities under its jurisdiction, WNRCD’s efforts have led to a collaboration with the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative (VMC), the University of Vermont Rubenstein School of the Environment (UVM), and the city of Winooski to support the city’s efforts to…… Continue reading →
Genesee Conservation District is Helping Build and Maintain Flint’s Green Infrastructure 06/18/2018
In partnership with the city of Flint, Mich., Genesee Conservation District (GCD) is bringing urban forests back to a healthy state and educating residents in the process. “One of the best benefits that has come out of this partnership is the response from residents,” GCD senior conservation coordinator Jeffrey Johnson said. “They are excited. The…… Continue reading →
California District Brings Fresh Veggies to Low-Income Communities 04/16/2018
By Susie Kirschner, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District Project manager In 2017, the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) located in Southern California was awarded funding through the National Association of Conservation Districts' (NACD) Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Initiative to develop a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. The CSA program ensures lower-income residents have access…… Continue reading →
The Dirt on Urban Agriculture in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 12/20/2017
By Jessica Buck, Montgomery County Conservation District Agricultural Conservation Specialist Montgomery County Conservation District (MCCD) in Pennsylvania recently launched their first outreach and technical assistance program to farms and gardens in urban communities through NACD’s 2017 Urban Agriculture Conservation grant program. This opportunity helped to establish long-lasting partnerships among community organizations and yielded meaningful outcomes…… Continue reading →
New Hampshire CD offers technical assistance to community-based farms 11/13/2017
By Kerry Rickrode The Hillsborough County Conservation District (HCCD) serves the most populous county in New Hampshire and several refugee resettlements. Recently, HCCD launched a new initiative to provide technical assistance to these new Americans, who want to grow their own food, but aren't familiar with farming in colder climates or urban settings. [caption id="attachment_10879" align="alignright"…… Continue reading →