Smart Brevity Score: 1064 words, 6 min 40 sec read
🦌💶 We like big bucks
Some define wealth by money, others by more sentimental measures. But why not both?
Wildlife conservation generates big economic benefits, according to a new report from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Let’s talk numbers. The report found these economic benefits of conservation:
Supports 575,000 jobs nationally
$115.8 billion in total economic activity (public and private contributions combined)
Conservation is the backbone of $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy
An added $76.6 billion to the U.S. GDP
An added $16.3 billion in tax revenues
We love this quote from Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.
“When we save wildlife, we save ourselves,” he said. “This important report affirms how wildlife conservation not only helps people thrive, but also grows local economies and creates jobs in communities across the country.”
Why it matters: Federal funding has been the leading source for conservation investment at 48% of all spending. Wildlife advocates say this economic report is clear evidence that Congress should continue investing in conservation.
Zooming out: Wildlife conservation includes habitat restoration, fish and wildlife management, and expanded public access.
🇺🇸 Key things to know about the extended farm bill
Congress’s continuing resolution (CR) that reopened the government on Nov. 12 also included an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill for one more year. This provides funding for USDA at least through Sept. 30, 2026.
Zooming out: This is the third one-year extension of the Farm Bill that originally would have expired in 2023. The Farm Bill is the nation’s largest investment in conservation on private lands, providing financial and technical assistance to farmers and others.
There’s a lot to unpack, but here are three key points related to conservation.
1. The deal could slow USDA reorganization.
Background: Earlier this year, government officials announced proposals to close dozens of USDA field offices and move more than 2,500 USDA employees out of DC. Those field offices help administer conservation.
Happening now: Oversight provisions in the resolution reportedly require USDA to get Congressional approval before closing field offices of NRCS, Rural Development, and FSA. The CR also says at least $15 million must be used to hire employees to fill vacancies. Another section of the bill says USDA cannot eliminate programs or projects without approval from appropriations committees.
Read more in Civil Eats. *Editors note: Civil Eats is a left-leaning nonprofit news outlet
2. Conservation programs will continue uninterrupted for now.
Background: The Farm Bill covers programs that pay producers to restore or manage land using conservation practices. During the shutdown, farmers couldn’t apply for these programs, get technical assistance, or get payments.
Happening now: With the extension, NRCS offices are back to work helping farmers and signing up new farmers through at least Sept. 2026.
3. Programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) are still at risk
Background: CRP, a Farm Bill program, provides rental fees to farmers who take vulnerable land out of row crop production to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat.
Happening now: Some policy experts are concerned that because many large Farm Bill price tags were included in the Big Beautiful Bill, it will make it harder to pass a more comprehensive, five-year Farm Bill, which is currently what CRP is funded through. Many economists believe a piecemeal approach is the new norm.
Next time you think about soil... think about tiny microbes in superhero capes. Why? Soil microbes have "superpowers"; they can remember drought in order to help plants survive, according to University of Kansas research.
About the study: Researchers looked the genetics of both plants and microbes across Kansas to better understand from a molecular level how they’ve adapted to the climate over many years. Here’s how:
Researchers collected and tested soils from six Kansas locations with very different rain patterns.
They grew plants in each of the microbial communities. For each group, they replicated ample rain and drought conditions.
They then observed plant performance to see how drought memory impacted them.
What they found: Microbes remember drought and impact the plant! But the so-called “legacy effect” of microbes worked much better with plants that were native to those exact locations.
They also found a key gene in the plants tied to drought tolerance. And that gene only worked when grown with the microbes that remembered drought.
Why it matters: The research is another step forward in understanding microbial additions to crops (a multibillion dollar industry) and improvements in seed genetics.
The Dry Run Creek watershed project has promoted conservation work for 20 years in Cedar Falls, finding success in strong relationships, urban projects, and sellout events.
What it is: The project features urban conservation like rain gardens, rain barrels, and permeable pavers installed by residents of Cedar Falls and Waterloo. The urban focus is a result of streamwater impairments from stormwater runoff as well as a 2% urbanization increase every year – AKA more hard surfaces.
Results so far:
Annually, 120 million gallons of stormwater runoff filtered naturally
Annually, 3,700 tons of soil prevented from eroding into the creek
Local education
50 bioretention cells in Cedar Falls (rain gardens)
Why it matters to us: Water quality in Iowa is often seen as a rural issue, but everyone can be involved in improving water quality. We love to see this community coming together and seeing collaborative success.
“We all have common goals: everyone wants to live happy, healthy lives, be outdoors, enjoy themselves,” said Josh Balk, source water protection coordinator with the project for 11 years.
LINN COUNTY, U OF IOWA TO PARTNER ON WATER QUALITY STUDIES
Findings will be the “backbone” of a new comprehensive county water plan, also under development, which will cover water quality, water capacity, flooding concerns, and more. The three research projects include an aquifer vulnerability map, a contaminant plume map, and surface water sampling assessment. Up to $130,000 was approved with a year-long timeline. Read more in the Gazette.
GRAZING CORN RESIDUE: WHAT RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT SOIL HEALTH
Grazing corn residue is safe for the soil and doesn't hurt crop performance, according to two long-term studies from the University of Nebraska's Beef Cattle Reports. Read more on University Extension.
CENTRAL IOWA COMMUNITY UNVEILS $30M WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
Perry officially opened a $30 million treatment plant that helps meet the state’s goals to reduce pollution from wastewater. City officials said it also increases their capacity to attract new companies and accommodate residential growth. Roughly 1 million gallons of water from sinks, showers, and toilets each day flow through the wastewater facility. Read more on Iowa Public Radio.
CHANGES PROPOSED TO ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
A proposal from the Trump administration to revise the Endangered Species Act could have critical impacts on the most vulnerable animals, plants and habitats throughout the U.S., according to environmental advocates. Read about the proposed revisions on ABC News.
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Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, 1255 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, Iowa 50023, United States
