Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that a general sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will begin on August 2, 2010 and continue through August 27, 2010. During the sign-up period, farmers and ranchers may offer eligible land for CRP's competitive general sign-up at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The 2008 Farm Bill authorized USDA to maintain CRP enrollment up to 32 million acres. Jim Miller, Agriculture Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agriculture Services, made the announcement on behalf of … [Read more...]
Snakes, Turtles, Lizards, and More
July 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
If you live in the eastern part of the country, I found a great reference to identify reptiles and amphibians in your area. Provided by the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/index.htm identifies snakes, alligators, turtles, lizards, frogs, toads, and salamanders found in the region. Although it first appears to be centered around those species found only in Georgia and South Carolina, the individual descriptions of each type of snake, lizard, turtle, etc. will show where they are found in the entire eastern … [Read more...]
Estate Taxes and Land Conservation
July 23, 2010 By 1 Comment
Much of our nation's most important wildlife habitats, watersheds, forests, farms and prairies are held by private landowners. Upon a landowner's death, estate taxes can lead to the break-up, sale and development of family-owned farm, ranch and forest lands, even when the family would have preferred to pass the land intact from one generation to the next. When this happens, we all lose. Since the early 1990's, the Piedmont Environmental Council has been a national leader in the creation of federal tax incentives for landowners who … [Read more...]
USDA Announces Major Wetland Restoration Project in the Northern Everglades Watershed
July 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a major wetland restoration project in Florida's Fisheating Creek, part of the Northern Everglades Watershed. USDA, in partnership with four landowners on five ranches and local and non-governmental organizations, will create one of the largest contiguous easement acquisitions in the history of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Read more … [Read more...]
Minnesota’s Largest Land Conservation Deal Complete
July 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Conservation Fund, The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Blandin Paper Company (UPM) have announced the completion of a working forest conservation easement that will protect 187,876 acres of Northwoods forests. This will not only provide public access for hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and other recreational activities, but protect existing hiking and snowmobile trails. Read more here … [Read more...]
Consumers are Buying into Organic Farms
July 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Consumers are buying into the idea of organic farms not only for the benefit of the food. They are looking at them as an investment as well. read entire article … [Read more...]
Feds to Pay Gulf-Area Farmers to Flood Fields, Attracting Waterfowl Away from Oil
July 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A federal conservation agency said Monday that it would begin paying some gulf region farmers and ranchers to flood their fields so that migratory birds can find alternative rest and nesting grounds to oil-fouled habitats. Read entire article … [Read more...]
Wood Storks Nesting In Restored Wetlands
June 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
James sees public support through programs like WRP as vital so small landowners can afford to set aside land for conservation. Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan, a strategy that guides Wildlife Resources Division and DNR efforts to ... click here to read more … [Read more...]
