[Pollinator] Opportunity to Nominate Farm-Ranch Operations/Families for NAPPC-NACD Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award-Deadline Sept 22

Thu Sep 7 18:56:54 PDT 2006

TO:       NAPPC Participants and Other Pollinator Supporters

RE:       Opportunity to Nominate Farm/Ranch candidates to new NAPPC-NACD
Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award

Deadline: September 22

If you know of a deserving farm or ranch family, we encourage you to submit
a nomination.  The process is simple and not time-consuming.

Go to http://nacdnet.org/outreach/awards/PollinatorConservationAward.doc to
access the nomination form today! Forms must be returned to NAPPC
participant Dolores Savignano at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service by Monday,
September 22, 2006. Forms can be sent as an e-mail attachment to
dolores_savignano at fws.gov (please put "Farmer-Rancher Pollinator
Conservation Award" as the subject line) or faxed to (703) 358 1800 attn:
Savignano.

Background:

As indicated in #2 of the NACD eNotes below, the National Association of
Conservation Districts (NAPPC) is teaming up with NAPPC to solicit nominees
for the Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award. This newly instituted
award recognizes an individual or family in the farm and ranch community in
the U.S. who has contributed significantly to pollinator species protection
and conservation on working and wild lands. NAPPC and NACD through their
recognition and appreciation of these individuals and organizations
encourage their conservation stewardship and hope to catalyze future actions
on behalf of pollinators through public recognition of the award winner. The
recipient will be recognized at the NAPPC reception on October 18.  

The American Farm Bureau is also assisting by sending a notice out to all
State Farm Bureaus.

This award is a new enhancement to the NAPPC Pollinator Advocate Award
program, which was launched last year.  While limited to U.S. agriculture,
it is hoped that a similar award program focusing on agriculture will follow
in Canada and Mexico.

R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Public Affairs Representative for Coevolution
Institute/NAPPC

   Van Arsdall & Associates

   13605 McLane Place

   Fredericksburg, VA  22407-2344

   (540) 785-0949

   tom at vanarsdall.com 

  _____  

From: Lisa Lerwick [mailto:Lisa-Lerwick at nacdnet.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 4:17 PM
To: eNotes at email.nacdnet.org
Subject: eNotes from NACD for September 5, 2006

 <http://nacdnet.org/> 

 <http://nacdnet.org/> NACD Home 

September 5, 2006
 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/archive.htm> index to previous eNotes 

1.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#1> Buffer Notes Highlights
CREP Forum Happenings 
2.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#2> Nominees Sought for
Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award 
3.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#3> USDA Programs to Aid
Regions Affected by Drought 
4.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#4> USDA Forest Service
Announces New Biomass Grant Funds 
5.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#5> USDA Announces $17.5
Million Investment in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency 
6.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#5> Rooftops to Rivers
Publication Available 
7.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#n> Study Released on
Financial Incentive Programs for Non-Industrial Private Forest Landowners 
8.	 <http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/09-05-06.htm#n> NACD Events---90-day
outlook 

1. Buffer Notes Highlights CREP Forum Happenings 
Buffer Notes Editor Bill Berry joined conservationists from around the
country in Lincoln, Neb. in mid-August for the 2006 CREP Forum "Creative
Solutions, Multiple Resources, Many Partners."Check out the latest issue of
BufferNotes for news of interest from the forum. Go to
http://nacdnet.org/buffers/ for stories on the future of CRP, CCRP and CREP;
water quality and water quantity goals in America's CREPs; and marketing as
an essential tool for conservation programs. 

2. Nominees Sought for Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award 
NACD is teaming up with the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign
(NAPPC) to solicit nominees for the Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation
Award. This newly instituted award recognizes an individual or family in the
farm and ranch community in the U.S. who has contributed significantly to
pollinator species protection and conservation on working and wild lands.
NAPPC and NACD through their recognition and appreciation of these
individuals and organizations encourage their conservation stewardship and
hope to catalyze future actions on behalf of pollinators through public
recognition of the award winner. The recipient will be recognized at the
NAPPC reception on October 18. 

Go to http://nacdnet.org/outreach/awards/PollinatorConservationAward.doc to
access the nomination form today! Forms must be returned to NAPPC
participant Dolores Savignano at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service by
Monday,September 22, 2006. Forms can be sent as an e-mail attachment to
dolores_savignano at fws.gov(please put "Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation
Award" as the subject line) or faxed to (703) 358 1800 attn: Savignano.

3. USDA Programs to Aid Regions Affected by Drought 
USDA Secretary Johanns announced last week announced $780 million in
financial assistance will be available to farmers and ranchers affected by
recent drought conditions. The funding includes a new $50 million program
for livestock producers, $30 million in unused conservation dollars, and
$700 million in accelerated counter cyclical payments. 

The Livestock Assistance Grant Program will provide States grant dollars to
distribute to livestock producers in counties that have been designated D3
or D4 status between March 7 and August 31 of this year. The grants are
intended to help livestock producers restore their purchasing power.

The $30 million in unused conservation funds includes $19 in unused
Emergency Conservation Program dollars and $11 million in unused funds from
the Grasslands Reserve Program. GRP dollars will fund projects to restore
drought affected grazing lands.

The NRCS has also been directed to focus the remaining FY2006 and part of
the FY 2007 conservation program funds on practices related to drought
response and mitigation. Information on local eligibility and a list of the
states receiving funding can be found on the USDA
<http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB/.cmd/ad/.ar/sa.retrie
vecontent/.c/6_2_1UH/.ce/7_2_5JM/.p/5_2_4TQ/.d/0/_th/J_2_9D/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB
?PC_7_2_5JM_previousparent=HOME&PC_7_2_5JM_contentid=drought_related_release
s.xml#7_2_5JM>  website.  

4. USDA Forest Service Announces New Biomass Grant Funds 
The USDA Forest Service, through the Woody Biomass Utilization Grant
Program, is now accepting proposals for forest product projects that
increase biomass utilization on Federal lands. The program is intended to
help improve forest restoration activities by using and creating markets for
small-diameter material and low-valued trees.   The grants will help
communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from forest restoration
activities into marketable forest products and/or energy products. At least
$4 million is available for granting under this program. Individual grants
will not be less than $50,000 or more than $250,000.   A copy of the Federal
Register Notice can be found at http://nacdnet.org/eNotes/fr06se06-46.doc.

5. USDA Announces $17.5 Million Investment in Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency 
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently announced the award of
$17,510,887 in Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program
Grants to 375 recipients in 36 states.

Eligible projects include those that derive energy from a wind, solar,
biomass, or geothermal source, or hydrogen derived from biomass or water
using wind, solar, or geothermal energy sources. Awards are made on a
competitive basis for the purchase of renewable energy systems and to make
energy improvements to eligible recipients, including agricultural producers
or rural small businesses.

To find out more, visit USDA's website
<http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2006/0
8/0329.xml> .

6. Rooftops to Rivers Publication Available 
Rooftops to Rivers: Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined
Sewer Overflows from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a
policy guide for decision makers looking to implement green strategies in
their own area, and includes nine case studies of cities that have
successfully used green techniques to create a healthier urban environment.

The urban landscape of roadways, sidewalks and buildings has changed the way
water moves through our environment. Rain and snow that falls on paved
surfaces becomes stormwater runoff that picks up dirt and pollutants as it
follows gravity downhill into storm drains and ultimately into our streams,
rivers and lakes; polluted runoff can threaten public health and degrade
wildlife habitat. This report explores how some cities are using green
techniques -- including rooftop gardens on city buildings, more absorbent
concrete, and street planters that intercept rainwater before it hits the
ground -- to protect their water.

The 54 pages (1.9mb) document is available online as a PDF document at
www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftops/contents.asp.

7. Study Released on Financial Incentive Programs for Non-Industrial Private
Forest Landowners 
A study on financial incentive programs for non-industrial private forest
owners conducted by the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, Utah
State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Minnesota,
and Clemson University, has recently been completed. Data from the study has
been complied on a new web site that provides access to information on
cost-share, tax, and other financial incentive programs available to
non-industrial private forest owners in each state.

To view financial incentive programs in your state, please visit:
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/econ/data/forestincentives/

8. NACD Events---90-day outlook
September 19-20, NACD <http://www.gl.nacdnet.org/Events/HuronMtg.htm>  Great
Lakes Committee Meeting, Huron, OH
November 29-30, National <http://nacdnet.org/meetings/lead>  Cooperative
Conservation Leadership Conference, Nashville , TN

Visit NACD's meeting site at www.nacdnet.org/meetings/ to learn more about
these and other scheduled meetings. 

Visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/thisweek/
<http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/thisweek/2006/041906/home.html>  for last
Wednesday's issue of NRCS This Week. Click on the "Subscribe" link to get
the latest issue delivered to your inbox weekly. 

  _____  

For queries about this newsletter, contact editor Lisa Lerwick, NACD
Director of Communications, at Lisa-Lerwick at nacdnet.org or 202-547-6223.