The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the award of 45 projects under the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program to develop and advance the conservation of natural resources. These projects include efforts to increase habitat for pollinators, develop new ways to attract private investment in natural resource conservation, give agricultural producers greater access to greenhouse gas markets, and help farmers and ranchers make their operations more resilient to climate change.
NACD applied for and received a Water Quality Trading CIG, which will be utilized to develop guidance materials and engage in outreach and training to increase participation of soil and water conservation districts in nutrient trading programs. In many water-quality trading programs, district employees are the conservation experts interacting with agricultural producers – generating credits from the installation of conservation practices.
Additional information is available from NRCS on the CIG program and NACD's project.