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NRCS Announces Pennsylvania Conservation Funding Opportunities for FY 2024
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing fiscal year 2024 assistance opportunities for Pennsylvania agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs, such as the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Easements, and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, producers and landowners should apply by state-specific application dates to be considered for this year’s funding. The next application date for fiscal year 2024 funding for EQIP, RCPP, AMA, and ACEP is November 1, 2023. Applications are due by January 1, 2024 for the first round of funding for CSP.
Through conservation programs, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help producers and landowners make conservation improvements on their land that benefit natural resources, build resiliency and contribute to the nation’s broader effort to combat the impacts of climate change.
“NRCS conservation programs are good for Pennsylvania’s natural resources and for your operation’s bottom line,” said Denise Coleman, NRCS State Conservationist in Pennsylvania. “Whether this is your first time working with NRCS or you want to take conservation to the next level on your land, we encourage you to contact your local NRCS field office to learn more.”
U.S. Forest Service Community Forest Program Applications Open for 2024
From:
U.S. Forest Service
Eastern Region
State, Private, and Tribal Forestry
The Request for Applications (RFA) for the Community Forest Program (CFP) has been posted on the CFP Website for Fiscal Year 2024 CFP project consideration.
The Forest Service will host informational webinars about the Fiscal Year 2024 Request for Applications on September 20, 2023 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET and on October 11, 2023 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET. Additional details, including registration, will be provided on the CFP website soon.
Alert for districts served by Appropriation Committee members
DCNR Welcomes Jeanne Barrett Ortiz as Southeast Regional Advisor
Communicating With Legislators
DCNR Announces 2020 Virtual Grant Workshops for Recreation and Conservation Projects
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) – Bureau of Recreation and Conservation is hosting its free, annual grant workshops in November.
BRC Regional Advisor Map Gets New Look
PennDOT Forum, Public Comment, and Survey Available for Twelve Year Transportation Plan and More
Hosting Legislators
WPC Adds 52 Acres to Toms Run Nature Reserve
DEP to Cover Cost of 800 Agricultural Plans for Clean Water
Former Cinema Site in Sales Agreement with Land Trust
Urgent! Tell Senators: Don’t let parks be sold for quick cash
The Pennsylvania Senate is poised to vote on a bill that, depending on how the land was acquired, will allow county and local governments to sell local parks for easy cash.
Hanover Trolley Trail Grows by Two Miles
As part of an expansion of the Hanover Trolley Trail, York County Rail Trail Authority opened two more miles of the Hanover Trolley Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Spring Grove, PA, on April 26, 2024, and announced the beginning of construction in Heidelberg Township.
USDA Announces $1.5 Billion in Funding for Climate-Smart Agriculture Through RCPP
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the availability of an historic $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting project proposals now through July 2, 2024, that will help farmers and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis.
DVRPC Announces New Funding Opportunity for Trail Projects
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is pleased to announce a funding opportunity through the Regional Trails Program. With the generous support of the William Penn Foundation, up to $2 million is available to acquire right-of-way, plan, design, or construct Circuit Trails, trailheads, gateways, and neighborhood connections. Municipalities, counties, state agencies, and non-profits in DVRPC’s nine-county region are invited to apply for awards of up to $200,000 with no match required.
Donated Conservation Easement Protects 19,800 Acres of Forestland in McKean and Elk Counties
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced today the donation of a conservation easement from The Conservation Fund on more than 19,800 acres of forestland along the Clarion River in Elk County and Kinzua Creek in McKean County.
Susquehanna Riverlands Mini-Grants
The Susquehanna Riverlands Mini-Grant Program provides targeted funding opportunities in the form of small competitive grants, ranging from $2,500 to $25,000, towards projects that advance the mission of the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape and focus on the following areas: (1) habitat and trail connectivity, (2) sustainable public access to the Susquehanna River and its surrounding natural lands, (3) community partnership and collaboration, and (4) ecosystem health. Projects that can demonstrate the greatest benefit and overlap between two or more of these areas are more likely to be funded.
NALT Expands its Conservation Work by Creating Pollinator Fields in Southeastern Pennsylvania
The North American Land Trust (NALT) has been exploring several new opportunities to expand the national land trust’s charitable mission of protecting, conserving, and stewarding our natural and cultural resources.
These new ventures include protecting streams, wetlands, and habitats through mitigation easements; assisting local governments to meet their conservation goals, and acquiring historic properties to protect them for future generations. One of these new ventures is creating quite a buzz with landowners and municipalities.
NALT staff is helping public and private landowners create vibrant pollinator fields on their properties. The primary benefit of establishing pollinator fields is to help reverse the staggering decline of Monarch butterfly and bee populations. However, there are other benefits for landowners, including improving the beauty of the properties with colorful wildflowers and reducing the costs of maintenance.
Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Seeks Public Land Partner Projects
The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps (PAOC) is seeking projects for its 2024 season. Municipalities and non-profits can host PAOC crews on a cost-share basis to complete work on public lands. The PAOC employs youth ages 15 to 24 to complete conservation and outdoor recreation projects in parks and forests across Pennsylvania. The DCNR-led program engages underserved citizens and trains the next generation of conservation leaders.
NRCS-PA Accepting Applications For Funding Easements in Kittatinny Ridge
Open Space Institute and Land Trust Alliance Offering Land and Climate Catalyst Planning Grants
The Open Space Institute (OSI) announced the availability of Land and Climate Catalyst Planning Grants through a collaboration with the Land Trust Alliance. The Land and Climate Grant Program ($300,000 is available in the 2023 grant round) will offer funding and technical support to land trusts, other not-for-profit organizations, and state and federally recognized Tribes, to integrate climate science into strategic land protection or forest stewardship plans.
Land trusts may also apply for climate-informed land conservation planning or communications technical support from the Land Trust Alliance. Qualified applicants can apply for grants between $5,000 – $15,000 and/or for one-on-one technical support. All projects must be completed within twelve months.
Applications will be accepted through June 8, 2023. To learn more, please register for an applicant information session on May 2nd from 2 – 3:15 pm Eastern.
Fire Towers: Tried and True Technology
This week has been a very active time for wildfires in Pennsylvania, and the Bureau of Forestry would have difficulty fulfilling its legal mandate to suppress wildfires in the Commonwealth without employing many resources, including the use of fire towers.
Nolde Forest, 1925.
Although many forest fire observation stations used by the bureau over time are no longer upright, roughly half of the remaining towers currently standing are still used for wildfire surveillance and detection. Records indicate that private owners were detecting wildfires from an observation station that predates the formation of the PA Department of Forestry in 1901 and the Division of Forestry, (under the PA Department of Agriculture) starting in 1895. Back then, the new agency was led by Joseph T. Rothrock, also known as the “Father of Forestry”, who served as the first Commissioner of Forestry for PA.
2023 EAC Network Conference an Educational Success
Event Summary
The 2023 EAC Network Conference was held virtually on Saturday, February 25 from 9am – 3:30pm.
The event kicked off with a plenary program from 9AM – 10:30AM, the EACs and Environmental Justice Panel. Panelists included:
- Justin Dula, Director of PA DEP’s Office of Environmental justice who gave an overview of environmental justice areas (why are they important and what tools are available to municipalities at the state and federal level)
- Jeff Smith of Citizens for a Healthy Jessup and Rashida Lovely, landowner and member of DEP’s Environmental Justice Advisory Board, who spoke about some of the gatekeeping practices that prohibit people of color from having access to/enjoying the land
- Rafiyqa Muhammad, Harrisburg EAC member and community organizer who shared insights on why can there be community distrust of environmental organizations, and how can you go about overcoming it
- Carol Grayshaw, Director of Education and Robert Campbell, Communications Specialist, both with WeConservePA, shared best practices for EAC relationship building (both with municipal officials and community members)
The morning plenary was followed by six additional sessions across three breakouts:
- Meadow Management, presented by Gary Gimbert, VP for Stewardship, Natural Lands
- Tredyffrin Taskforce on Stormwater, presented by Ray Clarke, Board Vice President, Open Land Conservancy (Chester County), and Anne Murphy, Treddyfrin Citizens Advisory Stormwater Task Force
- Redefining Beautiful: Making the Case for Pollinator Friendly Ordinances, presented by Heather Andrews, Garden Thoughtfully
- Act 101 and Delco’s 10-Year Plan for Zero Waste, presented by Francine Lock, Chief Sustainability Officer, Delaware County
- Basin Naturalization, presented by Jeff Kellar, Habitat by Design
- Energy Transition Funding Panel, featuring Britte Earp, Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator, PA DCED, Katherine Stainken (VP Policy) and Nick Miller (Policy Analyst) of the Electrification Coalition, and John Costlow of the Sustainable Energy Fund.
DCNR Seeking Nominations For 2023 Watershed Forestry Leadership Award
Brandywine Conservancy Launching DCNR-Funded Greenway Mini Grant Program
The Brandywine Conservancy is pleased to announce the launch of the Brandywine Creek Greenway’s (BCG) Mini Grant Program for 2023-2024. This program is funded by a recent grant of $85,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnership Program Environmental Stewardship Fund, administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (BRC). With these funds, the Brandywine Conservancy will be able to grant awards of $2,000 to $25,000 to projects that will support and advance the goals and objectives of the Brandywine Creek Greenway Strategic Action Plan. The grant funding round will open on March 20, with applications due by May 30, 2023.
WeConservePA Seeks Host for Leave No Trace Workshop
WeConservePA plans to offer a two-day Leave No Trace trainer course in partnership with instructors from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy this fall.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and BHE GT&S Seek Proposals From Local Watershed Groups for 2021 Watershed Mini Grants
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and BHE GT&S are now accepting proposals for the 2021 Watershed Mini Grant Program.
Writing a Letter to the Editor
Letters to the editor are a public way to share your opinion with your elected officials and help inform the newspaper’s readership of your opinion.
Delaware Highlands Conservancy Accepting Scholarship Applications
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is accepting applications from eligible high school seniors for the “Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship.
Wildlife Leadership Academy Seeks Nominations for Conservation Ambassadors
The Wildlife Leadership Academy is currently seeking referrals of motivated students ages 14 to 17 to become Certified Conservation Ambassadors.
Bike Safety Decal Receives a New Look
The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership announced the release of a new Bike Safety Decal to help promote bicycle safety in our Pennsylvania towns and communities.
Chesapeake Conservation Finance Intensive Course, Feb. 2021 – accepting applications now
Connecting With Legislators
Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020-2024 Educational Webinars
Pennsylvania has a new five-year Outdoor Recreation Plan with five top priorities.
Conservancy Announces “Nature Heals: Restore, Renew, Reconnect” Photo Contest Winners and Gallery Exhibition
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy held its third annual juried photo contest, “Nature Heals: Restore, Renew, Reconnect.”
Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020-2024 Educational Webinars
Pennsylvania has a new five-year Outdoor Recreation Plan with five top priorities.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Resources
Evergreen Conservancy Announces New Story Maps
Evergreen Conservancy’s new Hiking Trails Story Map, which serves as a guide to the abundant trails located throughout Indiana County.
Brandywine Conservancy to Launch New Brandywine Creek Greenway Mini-Grant Program Funded by PA DCNR
The Brandywine Conservancy has announced the launch of the Brandywine Creek Greenway’s (BCG) new Mini Grant Program for 2020-2021.
Delaware Highlands Conservancy Hosts Virtual Fundraising Auction July 30th through August 13th
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy announces a virtual fundraising auction to support land and water conservation in the Upper Delaware River region.
Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy Furthers Efforts to Surface, Extend Harmony Trail
Work was completed this month on the addition of an 8-foot wide limestone surface to the first 720 feet of the Harmony Trail easement owned by the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.
WPC Acquires More Land Along Route 30 Within the Loyalhanna Creek Watershed
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 50 acres within the Loyalhanna Creek watershed.
Hawk Mountain Welcomes Visitors as Trails Reopened on June 5
As Berks County moved into the yellow phase of the governor’s Pennsylvania Reopening Plan, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has reopened trails with new safety protocols in place.
We’re trying but we know we need to do more.
How can we better serve and attract those populations of Berks County who have not generally engaged with the environment?
2020 September Trails Celebration Mini Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are accepting applications for a mini-grant opportunity to help communities or trail group celebrate PA Trails Month.
Common Wasps and Hornets of Pennsylvania
Spring, summer, and fall are some of the busiest times of year for insects and the best times of year for people to come into contact with them.
Photography Contest for the Upper Delaware River Region
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced its third annual juried photo contest for the Upper Delaware River region.
WPC Protects Westmoreland County Farmland on Earth Day to Lease to Local Farmers
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the purchase of 27 acres of farmland in South Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County.
You ARE making a difference, thank you!
Message from Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy.
PALTA COVID-19 Resources
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has compiled links to COVID-19 related resources.
Conservation Easement Monitoring in a Pandemic
What are land trusts doing regarding conservation easement monitoring?
PA Sea Grant & LERC Conserve 179.8 Acres of Elk Creek
On-going collaborative efforts to acquire a portion of the Gilmore Farm in Girard Township, Erie County, have been finalized.
Donated Conservation Easement to WPC Keeps Forested Area, Scenic Views Intact in the Ligonier Valley
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of a 22-acre property in Cook Township, Westmoreland County.
WPC Acquires Easement on 309 Acres in Venango County
More forestland along the Allegheny River in President Township, Venango County is now permanently protected.
PALTA Finalizes Trail Group Finder
Following two months of public review of the beta version, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association finalized its tool for finding trail groups across Pennsylvania.
Walk on the Wild Side: Engaging Kids and Raising Money for Trails
Take a Walk on the Wild Side was an ingenious part of the answer for Tricounty Rails to Trails, a regional Pennsylvania non-profit that maintains the Clarion-Little Toby Rail Trail in Elk and Jefferson counties.
WPC Protects Farm as Part of Farmland Access Initiative
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) announced the acquisition of farmland in Findley Township, Mercer County.
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Protects 35 Acres
Delaware Highlands Conservancy Welcomes New Staff Member
PALTA Launches Group Finder for Land Trusts and Other Organizations
Committee Votes Out HB 2468! Push Now for Floor Vote
We need an amendment-free vote this week to stop irresponsible eminent domain.
New Map Features State Game Lands, Other Tools
Act Now: Stop Irresponsible Eminent Domain
House Bill 2468, which the Pennsylvania House of Representatives may amend today (Monday, 6/18) and vote on tomorrow, requires court approval of conservation easement condemnations.
Hawk Mountain Kestrel Cam Goes Live
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Opens ADA-Accessible Garden
Congress Allocates $5 Million for Delaware River Basin Restoration
DCNR Offers Funding to Help Battle Wildfires
Foundation for Sustainable Forests Receives Grant to Protect 292 Acres
Pennsylvania’s Newest Water Trail
Tick and Lyme Disease Awareness: Brochure for Get Outdoors PA Partners
PALTA Letter to Senate on Shortage of Special Funds
PALTA sent a letter to the Senate on the shortage of special funds.
WPC Launches Farmland Access Initiative
One Step Closer to the Preservation of Bryn Coed Farms
Partnership Announces Exciting Improvements to Hiking Website
Allegheny Land Trust Launches Education Department, Needs Your Recycling
Lacawac Sanctuary & Field Station Requests Assistance with Baseline Data Collection
Allegheny Land Trust Adds Education Programs
WPC Announces First Conservation Easement Donation in Potter County
The Nature Conservancy Receives DCNR Funds to Protect 500 Acres Along Kittatinny Ridge
Federal Forest Legacy Funding Allocated to Upper Delaware Region
Tinicum Conservancy implements Strategy to Extinguish Oil & Gas Leases
North Branch Land Trust: Grajewski Farm Conservation Project Completed
Hawk Mountain to open first Accessible Trail
Land Stewardship Network: Creating a Community for Stewardship Staff & Volunteers
North Branch Land Trust Protects the 3053-Acre Mocanaqua
Stroud Water Research Center: Science, not politics, should guide Clean Water Act clarification
Fresh water is our most precious natural resource, as essential to life as the air we breathe.
Sign-on Letter to Defend State Conservation Funding
Please add your organization on to the sign-on letter and forward this email to all the organizations and businesses you deal with.
Conversations of Heart, Conservation of Land: Women and Their Woods A Land Trust Takes the Lead
Tell Legislators: Don’t Let Our Parks be Sold for Quick Cash – Oppose HB 2224
Tell your Senator and Representative to oppose HB 2224.
The largest proposed cut to conservation and recreation in PA history
Governor Corbett’s proposed 2012-13 budget eliminates all recreation, park, and conservation funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
Events
Property Review: Selection Standards and Criteria
This presentation will review LTA Accreditation Standard #08 and demonstrate how two organizations approach new property inquiries differently through an established review process.
Property Review: Selection Standards & Criteria
This presentation will review LTA Accreditation Standard #08 and demonstrate how two organizations approach new property inquiries differently through an established review process.