Department of Conservation Announces New Grants for Watershed Health

Department of Conservation’s Division of Land Resource Protection (DLRP) awarded $2 million in grants for watershed restoration and agricultural land conservation projects. Each grant went to local Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) in Marin, Sonoma, Kings, and Ventura counties.  “These grants not only support important local projects, but also advance some of Governor Newsom’s key objectives: conserving working…

Protecting California’s Food Supply Through the COVID-19 Pandemic– [a webinar recap]

Supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 brought food security — and the resilience of food networks — to the forefront of discussion among policy makers. In particular, the pandemic has highlighted essential role of local farmers in ensuring a reliable and healthy food supply for our state and country. That’s why the American Farmland Trust…

Santa Clara County Makes Ag Conservation a Priority

Santa Clara County is investing in agricultural conservation infrastructure with the help of planning grant funding administered by the California Department of Conservation (DOC). Until the 1960s, the Santa Clara Valley was referred to as “The Valley of Heart’s Delight.” It was home to a multitude of orchards and 39 canneries — the largest fruit…

From Serving the Country to Conserving It — GIS is Key

“I am passionate about conserving natural resources and working to slow the rate at which California urbanizes productive farmland and open space.  The Williamson Act is a key tool to achieve that goal.” Annie Giovacchini – Environmental Planner   #FacesOfConservation — Meet Ann Marie (Annie) Giovacchini, an environmental planner for DOC’s Division of Land Resource Protection. Annie…

Ensuring Agricultural Resilience in an Era of Climate Change

California is an agricultural powerhouse, leading the nation in both total and diversity of production.
However, as climate change increasingly threatens agricultural production, there is reason for concern about food security in California and around the world.