Newsletter Highlights:
  • 2019 AACD Winter Meeting
  • AWPF Grant Application Guidelines Request for Comments
  • BLM Seeks Nominations to the Arizona Resource Advisory Council
  • USDA Reminds Historically Underserved Producers of Advance Payment Option
  • Mohave CSP Workshop
  • Water Rights Workshop
  • AZ Society for Range Management Winter Meeting
  • Beginning Farmer and Rancher Workshop Dates
  • USDA NRCS Plants Database
Arizona Association of Conservation Districts
January 2020 Newsletter
2020 AACD Winter Meeting
AWPF Grant Application Guidelines Request for Comments
The Arizona Water Protection Fund (AWPF) is a competitive state grant program that provides money to interested parties for maintaining, enhancing and restoring river and riparian resources throughout Arizona, including projects that benefit fish and wildlife that are dependent on these important resources. The distribution of grant funds from the AWPF is authorized pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2101 et seq. and is overseen by the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission (Commission). The program is administered through the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2105 et seq. the Commission is required to develop guidelines for applicants for funding, and is seeking input from interested landowners, state and federal agencies, local government entities, non-profit organizations, and the general public.
BLM Seeks Nominations to the Arizona Resource Advisory Council
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it is seeking public nominations for positions on 27 Resource Advisory Committees/Councils (RACs) nationwide, including Arizona’s RAC. These citizen-based committees assist in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues.

The BLM maintains 37 such advisory committees formally chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Federal Policy and Land Management Act (FLPMA) across the west. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members from diverse interests in local communities, and they assist in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues.

The Arizona RAC consists of 15 members whom are critical in assisting the BLM in continuing to be a good neighbor in communities served by the Bureau, providing advice and recommendations on issues including land use planning, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, oil and gas exploration, noxious weed management, grazing issues, and wild horse and burro herd management issues.

“Resource Advisory Councils provide the BLM with vital feedback on current issues, concerns and proposals, and enable us to engage local communities and stakeholders to improve our management of public lands,” said BLM State Director Raymond Suazo. “Our goal is to ensure that the membership of every RAC encompasses a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds to guide our work as effectively as possible.”
USDA Reminds Historically Underserved Producers of Advance Payment Option
EQIP advance payment options available for eligible producers
 
PHOENIX, Arizona - January 14, 2020 –USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds historically underserved producers, who are participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), of the advance payment option. This option allows them to get conservation practice payments in advance of practice implementation. 
 
“The advance payment option makes NRCS conservation assistance more accessible to underserved producers,” said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr. “It enables them to participate without having to worry about covering up-front costs themselves or looking for a loan to cover the costs. Some farmers don’t have the financial ability to wait for the NRCS reimbursement to arrive.”
 
EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to address natural resource concerns and to deliver environmental benefits, such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, and improved or created wildlife habitat. In fiscal 2019, NRCS invested $1.3 billion through EQIP to implement conservation practices on more than 13 million acres.
Mohave CSP Workshop
Do you want to learn about Programs and Grants for Farmers and Ranchers? If so, we have the event for you. Join us for this FREE half day workshop! Lunch will be provided. We hope to see you there!


Big Sandy Natural Resource Conservation District 
& the AACD present

Programs and Grants for Farmers and Ranchers

  Tuesday, February 18, 2020
U of A Extension Offices, 101 E. Beale Street, Kingman, AZ 86401

Registration is FREE. Please RSVP to Sharma Torrens at  [email protected]  or 602-540-5331 by February 14th, for an accurate headcount for lunch
Water Rights Workshop on February 12, 2020 at Sonoita Fairgrounds
Topics Include: An overview of rural water rights in Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties, a panel on Best Management Practices for watershed health, and identification of funding sources for implementing Best Management Practices.

Location/Time: Pioneer Hall, Sonoita Fairgrounds / 8:30am. No registration fee. Lunch is included.  

 
Sponsors : The Santa Cruz Natural Resource Conservation District and Arizona Land and Water Trust
 Arizona Section of the Society for Range Management (AZSRM) winter meeting invitation, Jan. 22-24, 2020 Wickenburg
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program
USDA NRCS Plants Database
Whether you need help identifying a plant, or are searching for more information about a particular plant in your area, the USDA NRCS Plants Database website can help.
AACD Members
THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT!

225 S. Railroad AVE.
P.O. Box 220
Willcox, AZ 85643
Office: (520) 384-4688
Fax : (520) 384-3489
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Contact:
Lamar Smith
(830) 719-5978


Contact:
Bill Dunn
(520) 384-4688


Contact:
Daric Knight
(928) 521-9897
Arizona Association
of Conservation Districts
7467 E. Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85710

www.aacd1944.com
Have a story you would like to share in our next newsletter?

Contact: Brooke Gladden
(520) 668-3348