Find Out What's Happening in the Conservation Commission
Interested in learning more about conservation in Washington State? Our news announcements connect you with stories about recent conservation work, important updates from our office, and upcoming opportunities for you to get involved.
Limited RFA Now Open – Riparian Plant Propagation Program
The Riparian Plant Propagation Program (RPPP) has released a limited funding opportunity using the remaining FY25 funds.
Limited RPPP maintenance funding now open available to conservation districts
Funding is open to Washington Conservation Districts to support the maintenance of plants at existing holding sites previously funded by RPPP. Applications due October 4, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
NACD’s 2024 Outreach & Technical Assistance Grants are now available to apply online!
In partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), NACD anticipates award of approximately $18 million in conservation operations technical assistance (COTA), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding.
Water Quality Financial Assistance (State Fiscal Year 2026)
The Washington State Department of Ecology is holding the Water Quality Combined Funding Program (WQC) annual applicant training workshops from August 13 – August 15, 2024. These virtual workshops are free and you can attend one, two, or all three. You must register separately for each workshop you wish to attend. Registration links and instructions are available below.
NRCS-WA announces FY25 program application batching dates
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington (NRCS-WA) announced the following application batching dates for programs for Fiscal Year 2025 funding:
Application open for conservation districts to cultivate native trees/shrubs
Unprecedented $1.5 Billion Available for Partner-Driven Conservation Solutions
USDA is making an unprecedented $1.5 billion available for partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Additionally, NRCS is announcing progress on its effort to streamline and simplify RCPP and improve processes and implementation.
WDFW now accepting applications for wildlife diversity grant funding
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting grant applications for up to $200,000 in funding for projects designed to benefit some of Washington’s most imperiled wildlife. Grant applications are due May 5.
Riparian Grant Program Funding Available
New guidelines are now in place for SCC's Riparian Grant Program (RGP). Funding is available for Washington conservation districts to restore and maintain riparian management areas.
Funding open for Irrigation Efficiencies Grant Program (IEGP
Funding is open for the Irrigation Efficiencies Grant Program (IEGP)!
IEGP Informational Webinar about Funding - Jan. 9, 2024
The Irrigation Efficiencies Grant Program (IEGP) is new and improved and will be open to all conservation districts who desire to save agricultural irrigation water across the state. Join us for an informational webinar on Jan. 9, 2024.
2024 Agricultural Conservation Easement Sponsorship Application Schedule
This announcement provides an update to the information shared on July 7, 2023 regarding applying to the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Farmland Preservation Account, grants in 2024. RCO has solidified their timeline for applications, and this has allowed us to determine our schedule as well. In this announcement you will find a schedule of the application process and the potential next steps. Submitting an application takes significant leg work and often requires multiple conversations with landowners prior to deciding whether to apply.
Sustainable Farms and Fields (SFF): Applications open for district to lead second phase of Carbon Farm Plan template development.
In fiscal year 2023, Snohomish and San Juan Islands CDs worked together to create a template for carbon farm planning for the Sustainable Farms and Fields (SFF) grant program. The goal of this template is to facilitate site-specific climate-smart farm plans (which are less comprehensive than conservation farm plans) that recommend climate-smart practices to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The next step for the template is to have it evaluated by interested district staff. Applications are open for a CD to lead this effort!
Guidelines and funding applications open for forest health/wildfire and riparian plant programs
New guidelines are now in place for SCC's Forest Health and Community Wildfire Resiliency (CWR) program. Funding is available for Washington conservation districts to address unhealthy forests and build greater community resiliency to wildfire. Please make sure to read over the guidelines and the reporting form before applying for funds. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2025.
Natural Resource Investments (NRI) Initial Funding Amount for Fiscal Year 2024
Stay tuned to GovDelivery for an update on available initial NRI funds. Fiscal staff and regional managers have been working on this and will include the NRI guidelines in the announcement as well.
Annual Urban & Community Forestry Grant
The U.S. Forest Service for this year's annual Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program is providing up to $500,000 for Urban and Community Forestry investments that address the National Ten Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026).
USDA Previews Emergency Relief Assistance for Agricultural Producers Who Incurred Losses Due to 2022 Natural Disaster Events
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced plans to roll out $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to crop and livestock producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event in calendar year 2022. USDA is sharing early information to allow producers time to gather documents in advance of program delivery. Through distribution of remaining funds, USDA is also concluding the 2021 ELRP program by sending payments in the amount of 20% of the initial ELRP payment to all existing recipients.
USDA seeking applications to expand conservation assistance to underserved producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for projects that will improve outreach to underserved producers and underserved communities about conservation programs and services and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.
Conservation Month marketing materials available!
We are excited to announce our Conservation Month marketing materials! The media toolkit is live at www.scc.wa.gov/vote.Here is what you can expect to find in the toolkit...
WSRRI accepts proposals for fire recovery resources for private, tribal, and public landowners
Following historic fires in 2020 that burned 600,000 acres of shrubsteppe habitat in Washington, the Washington State Legislature made new funding available to benefit wildlife by restoring shrubsteppe habitat, implementing actions to help at-risk species, and supporting working lands in eastern Washington.
Funding now open for conservation districts to cultivate native plants
This round of funding is open to Washington conservation districts to support the creation, improvement, and expansion of holding facilities to cultivate native trees and shrubs for riparian restoration projects.
Food System Support Grant availability for conservation districts
SCC announces a limited grant opportunity for funding to support food system activities at conservation districts. Up to $5,000 will be available to each successful grant applicant. The deadline for application submittals is Wednesday, January 18, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. Funding must be used for activities that will result in products in hand or activities completed by June 30, 2023.
Sustainable Farms and Fields Program funding available for voluntary, climate-smart projects
The Washington State Conservation Commission's (SCC) new climate-friendly program, the Sustainable Farms and Fields (SFF) program, is open for applications from public entities. SFF is accepting applications from entities that will help farmers and ranchers participate in activities that sequester carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.
New grant program for Whatcom County farmers and ranchers impacted by floods
The Washington State Legislature has appropriated $300,000 to The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) and Whatcom Conservation District (Whatcom CD) through grants to help with the economic recovery of Whatcom County farmers and ranchers who experienced property damage or economic loss due to the November 2021 floods.