Contacts:
Roney Gutierrez (530) 792-5649
Dave Sanden (530) 226-2573

DAVIS, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2009) –Acting State Conservationist Gayle Norman, of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), today announced approval of more than $438,800 in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to eight California organizations.

The funds, provided through NRCS, will assist the groups in developing and refining cutting-edge technologies to help agricultural producers to sustain natural resources and improve their operations. NRCS administers the program and provides technical support for each project.

"The Conservation Innovation Grant program enables USDA to review, field test, and demonstrate new practices and ideas," said Norman. "The program also provides an excellent opportunity for public-private partnerships that can effectively promote innovative technologies and approaches to environmental enhancement on working lands."

The following California projects will receive CIG funding for 2009:

Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) was awarded $46,185 to develop best plants and practices for conservation, and an online guide. The goal of this project is to add useful practices and plants to the NRCS Vegetative Guide Database.

Antelope Valley RCD was awarded $55,163 to produce a handbook for wind erosion reduction and air quality improvement. The goal of this project is to transfer innovative wind erosion and air quality technology to a broad spectrum of land users.

Xerces Society Inc. was awarded $75,000 for pollinator conservation in California's agricultural landscapes. The goal of this project is development and field trial of specific pollinator habitat planting strategies for California.

Sotoyome RCD was awarded $74,505 for a vineyard water conservation and mobile water lab program. The goal of this project is to increase water conservation and ensure a secure water supply for agriculture and fisheries in valleys of the Russian River watershed.

Monterey RCD was awarded $75,000 for adaptation of innovative vegetative treatments.

Del Norte RCD was awarded $6,000 to use real time weather data for irrigation and pest management.

Defenders of Wildlife was awarded $74,480 to determine the feasibility of eco-system service payments and markets for California rangeland resource enhancement.

California Native Plant Society was awarded $32,470 for California rangeland monitoring and mapping focusing on Central Valley and Carrizo Plain grassland habitat. The goal of this project is to establish knowledge of natural grasslands, associated plant communities and invasive plant threats on grazing lands in California.

The CIG program is designed to speed the transfer and enhance use of technologies and methods that show promise in solving the nation's top natural resource problems by targeting innovative, on-the-ground conservation. Approved projects address issues such as water quantity and quality, grazing lands, soil and forest health, and air quality.

Grantees provide matching funds, bringing the total value of the approved California projects to more than $953,600. The program targets grants to state and local governments, Indian tribes, non-governmental organizations and individuals.

Additional information about CIG, including summaries of fiscal year approved projects, is available at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/. For more information about USDA's conservation programs, visit www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov  or the nearest USDA Service Center in your area.

-NRCS-

 The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people
conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

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