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New Guidance Released to Help California Growers Maximize Water Benefits of Cover Crops
Sustainable Conservation and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), along with UC ANR and other partners, have released a new guidance document — Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments — to help growers harness the many benefits of cool-season cover crops while reducing water use. As farmers adapt to a changing water supply, this guide provides practical considerations about cover crop species, timing, and management to reduce runoff, increase infiltration and water retention, and bolster overall soil health.
Cover Cropping in California’s Water Scarce Environments
Practical considerations for managing cool-season cover crops with maximal water benefits and minimal water use Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Sustainable Conservation, UC ANR, and USDA are excited to share this new guidance document. Download the guidance document here. Water Benefits of Cover Crops Cover crops can be highly beneficial in California’s annual and perennial…
Partner Webinar: Barn Owl Box Webinar – Natural Rodent Control for Your Farm
Join our partner Nick Davis for an upcoming webinar on May 22 at 8:00 AM on a nature-based pest solution: Barn Owl Boxes. If you’ve been dealing with ongoing rodent damage—especially from gophers, rats, or voles—you’re not alone. These pests are notorious for chewing through irrigation lines, damaging young vines or trees, and making a…
Restoration Round-Up: South Fork Ten Mile Habitat Enhancement
The Ten Mile River, flowing through coastal Mendocino County, provides vital habitat for California’s endangered coho salmon. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been leading habitat restoration efforts in the Lower Ten Mile River watershed for over a decade. Their latest project, the South Fork Ten Mile Habitat Enhancement — Phase 2, represents a significant step in revitalizing key salmon habitat and restoring natural floodplain functions.
CA Dairy Sustainability Summit Showcases Resource Conservation Progress, Hope for Future
Last week’s California Dairy Sustainability Summit showcased promising industry-driven partnerships and solutions to water and greenhouse gas emission challenges in California.
Ashley Boren Reflects on her Time at Sustainable Conservation
2025 is a year of big changes at Sustainable Conservation. After 28 years of outstanding leadership, Ashley Boren will transition her role to Sustainable Conservation’s next CEO.
AmeriCorps Week 2025 – Appreciating GrizzlyCorps Fellow Oscar Elias
For AmeriCorps Week this year, we’re celebrating our GrizzlyCorps fellow Oscar Elias for his contributions to Sustainable Conservation’s Solutions in Our Soil team.
How Executive Order N-16-25 Enables Recharge During Floods
The Newsom Administration has taken an important step toward improving California’s flood safety and water resilience by issuing Executive Order (EO) N-16-25, which waives the requirement for local planning documents to include flood threshold definitions that indicate when groundwater recharge diversions can occur. This temporary waiver allows recharge diversion efforts to begin when local agencies…
Nominations are Open for the 2025 CA Leopold Conservation Award
Are you a California farmer, rancher, or forestland owner who improves soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on your working land? Apply for the 2025 California Leopold Conservation Award®
GrizzlyCorps Fellow Oscar Elias: The Power of a Handshake
I was reminded of the power of a handshake 58 times that day – I kept that in mind for the remainder of the conference. I shook the hands of others, listening to who may work in similar fields and who we can work together with to serve our communities.
2025 Burroughs Family Farms Regenerative Tree Nut Field Day Recap
On January 21st, growers agriculture professionals, and sustainability nuts (pun intended) converged on Burroughs Family Farms for their 4th Annual Regenerative Tree Nut Field Day!
Welcome, Tammy Chan!
The Sustainable Conservation team couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome our new Chief Financial Officer, Tammy Chan!