Empowering collaborative conservation through extension, outreach, and training with community networks

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded University of California, Davis a $992,815 Cooperative Agreement on July 7, 2025, under the Soil and Water Conservation program (CFDA 10.902) through August 31, 2028. This award supports collaborative conservation initiatives through extension, outreach, and training activities delivered via community networks in California. The cooperative agreement leverages UC Davis's expertise in agriculture, environmental sciences, and technical capacity to provide conservation technical assistance and educational programming that advances sustainable land management practices.

Under this award, UC Davis will deliver conservation-focused extension and outreach services designed to empower community networks in implementing soil and water conservation strategies. The institution will provide training and technical support to private landowners, conservation districts, and other organizations to facilitate adoption of sustainable practices such as erosion control, water management, and climate-smart agriculture initiatives. These collaborative conservation efforts align with the Soil and Water Conservation program's core mission of protecting natural resources, enhancing land productivity, and addressing critical environmental concerns including soil erosion and water quality degradation through locally-based, community-engaged technical assistance.