The
Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in New Mexico is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) near wildfire-ravaged areas across the state through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
“It is a long, detailed process,” District Manager
Dierdre Tarr said. “But worth the time and effort.”
“It’s a learning curve where you learn something every day,”
she said. “It takes time and patience, but it’s another area we can find dollars to put on the ground. That’s the important thing.”
The initial FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant targeted 135 acres of privately-owned property for thinning, harvesting and slash chipping to help with moisture containment and erosion. The area is adjacent to lands burned by four major wildfires that took place between 2008 and 2016. During those fires, more than 44,000 acres were devastated, 80 homes destroyed, and nearly 100 other structures lost.
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WASHINGTON STATE DISTRICT HELPS UPDATE COMMUNITY RESOURCE MANUAL
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The
Cascadia Conservation District (CD) in Wenatchee, Wash., partnered with the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and nearly a dozen other Washington State agencies to update the
Chelan County Good Neighbor Handbook, a 36-page guide for property owners, newcomers and residents.
“We all recognize the partnerships, collaboration and efficiency that is gained through a joint outreach effort like this,” Program Manager
Michael Cushman
said. “We’re grateful we were able to play a small role in the development of this.”
Since 2008–the last time the handbook was published–population has increased 10 percent, including new development and new property ownership. The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, which developed the original handbook along with other agencies, recognized it needed updating. Along with the trust, 10 partners from nonprofit, state and federal groups came together to incorporate valuable information into the latest edition.
Cascadia CD is listed in two sections of the handbook, including a section on community wildfire protection planning, where the conservation district is listed as a resource in offering a free wildfire risk assessment; and a section on living with and protecting endangered and sensitive species.
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NACD TO COORDINATE THREE WILDFIRE REGIONAL SUMMITS IN 2020
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NACD has entered into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to explore ways conservation districts can assist state and federal partners in managing the threats of catastrophic wildfire.
The two-year grant is a continuation of a 2015-16 effort NACD organized in western states. That project helped facilitate three listening sessions and a
report to summarize initial findings.
In 2020, NACD plans to host three wildfire summits across the country.
Locations include Denver, Montgomery, Ala., and Minneapolis.
Regional and state partners are welcome to attend those events.
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California
District helps promote program to reduce threat of wildfire
Residents 65+ years of age, as well as those who are physically or financially unable to maintain the legally required defensible space around their homes, are eligible for assistance. The service provides trimming and pruning of trees and brush, removing dead branches and limbs, and mowing hazardous grass as applicable within 100 feet of habitable structures.
Onsite chipping to process unwanted vegetation 10 inches in diameter or less is available to targeted communities. This service requires residents to voluntarily cut and stack vegetation from their property prior to the designated chipping day.
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Pennsylvania
Seedling sale proceeds help fund conservation scholarships
The
Berks County Conservation District annual tree seedling sale offers a variety of conifers, trees, shrubs, and a growing selection of fruit producing plants. New items include the Sweet Benton Cherry, tree watering bags, and beneficial insect houses.
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Add your conservation district's tree sale, state association meeting, field day or celebration to NACD's calendar!
Click the button above to submit an event. Events will be reviewed by the website administrator and published to
NACD's online calendar when approved.
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