Two California projects are included in the mix of 33 that were recently awarded funding by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The agency is investing $22.6 million in projects nationwide through the competitive Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. The aim is to help develop tools, technologies, and strategies to support next-generation conservation on working lands including market-based solutions to resource challenges.
Two projects for just under $2.65 million are being awarded to California ventures.
Leveraging water markets to secure water for nature and agriculture. Photo courtesy of the Nature Conservancy, California.
The California chapter of the Nature Conservancy is receiving $1,869,439 to explore market-based approaches to water management for nature and agriculture. Two initiatives in the Central Valley and in western Ventura County, will explore the use of advanced metering infrastructure to facilitate water quantity trades as part of a solution to meeting new state groundwater regulations.
Streamlining regulatory compliance and conservation planning. Photo courtesy of the Freshwater Trust
The Freshwater Trust (TFT) is receiving $779,959 to develop an integrated planning, tracking, and adaptive management system for agricultural producers and regional coalitions in Solano County. Farmers and coalitions engaged in multi-objective programs will be able to demonstrate progress in improving surface water and groundwater quality and quantity. The completed system would be broadly transferable and will be made publicly available.