• Rhode Island announces the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Open Application Period August 10, 2009-September 30, 2009
  The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by undertaking additional conservation activities, and improving, maintaining and managing existing conservation activities. 
• Pawcatuck Watershed Optimization Study Workshops
  The Wood- Pawcatuck Watershed Association, in partnership with the Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Council, Natural Resources Consevation Service U.S. Geological Survey, and the Rhode Island Water Resources Board, are delighted to announce the completion of the Pawcatuck Watershed Water Use Optimization Study (the Study).
•   Rhode Island Aquaculture Producers Complete First Set in 2009 Oyster Restoration Project
  WARWICK, RI (June 16, 2009) – On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 13 aquaculture producers (oyster farmers) began the 2009 oyster restoration project funded through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
•   USDA-NRCS announces a second WHIP application period until June 30, 2009
  Warwick, RI (June 15, 2009) -  This extended application period will cover all of Rhode Island but will give priority to applications that benefit aquatic habitat within the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed which is located in the southern part of Rhode Island.
• Secretary Vilsack Announces Floodplain Easement Selections Through Recovery Act Funding
  WARWICK, RI (June 2, 2009) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today selected 289 applications for the first national sign-up for floodplain easements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The easements will cover more the 36,000 acres of land in 36 states.
• $165,000 AVAILABLE FOR CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS
  WARWICK, RI (June 3, 2009) - The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) is accepting applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
• USDA-NRCS Provides $4.2 Million to Protect Farmland in Rhode Island
  WARWICK, RI (May 7, 2009) – Phoukham Vongkhamdy, Rhode Island State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today the agency has received $4.2 million through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).
• Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Announces Funding for new organics initiative - $50 Million in Funding Available Nationwide
  WARWICK, RI (May 6, 2009) - Speaking today to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced $50 million for a new initiative to meet the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production.  Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
• $145 Million Available in Floodplain Easement and Restoration Funds
  WARWICK, RI (March 9, 2009) - The American Recovery and Re-investment Act (ARRA) authorized $145 million nationwide for floodplain easements and floodplain restoration under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWPP).
• Rhode Island Welcomes Phoukham Vongkhamdy, new State Conservationist
  WARWICK, RI (February 25, 2009) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced that Phoukham "Pooh" Vongkhamdy has been named State Conservationist for Rhode Island.
• USDA Announces Fiscal Year 2009 Sign-Up For $20 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants
  WARWICK, RI (February 9, 2009) - The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of program funding for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for Fiscal Year 2009.  The CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. 
• Gooseneck Cove to be Restored After Decades of Degradation
  Newport, RI  (January 29, 2009) - The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Save the Bay, and the conservation partnership effort will reduce flooding and improve habitat and water quality conditions in Gooseneck Cove, Newport, RI.
• Over $7 Million Dollars Available in Financial Assistance for Rhode Island Land Owners
  WARWICK, RI - The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing the availability of grants totaling over $7 million dollars for private agricultural land and forestry or woodland owners in Rhode Island.  
•   Blackstone River Fish Passage Restoration Final EA and FONSI
  WARWICK, RI - NRCS has completed the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Blackstone River Fish Passage Restoration Project, Rhode Island. 
• NRCS EQIP Conservation Grant Program to Aid Farmers
  WARWICK, RI - (October 15, 2008) - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging farmers to take advantage of its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary conservation grant program designed to promote and stimulate innovative approaches to environmental enhancement and protection while improving agricultural production.   
• Conservation Security Program
  WARWICK, RI — The Narragansett Bay Watershed is the largest watershed in Rhode Island, and includes the Taunton River sub-basin in Massachusetts, which is the second largest watershed in MA. In total, the Narragansett Bay watershed includes 1,366 square miles. The area selected for 2008 is a portion of the Narragansett Bay Watershed that equals 212,000 acres (~331 square miles), of which 105,000 acres are in Rhode Island and 107,000 acres are in Massachusetts.
• Treaty Rock Farm in Little Compton
  Little Compton, RI — The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) along with the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust and The Nature Conservancy have announced the conservation of 114 acres of historic and ecologically valuable Rhode Island farmland. A partnership of Ocean State land preservation groups, and state and federal agencies contributed $3.6 million to protect this portion of the 120-acre Treaty Rock Farm in Little Compton. 
• CIG Grants
  WARWICK, RI — (January 2, 2008) – The RI Office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces a request for proposals for 2008 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG).  Grants of up to $75,000 are available to fund creative ideas and practices that will conserve soil, water and energy resources or improve air quality, grazing land and forest health in Rhode Island.
• Salisbury Farm , Acquisition of Development Rights to this 30-acre Farm
  Johnston, RI —  (September 11, 2007) - (Quote from Roylene Rides at the Door, State Conservationist, NRCS) NRCS is honored to be apart of purchasing of the development rights to ensure the continuation of the Salisbury farm for many future generations.
• Federal Funds Available for Innovative Ideas for Conserving Natural Resources in Rhode Island
  WARWICK, RI — (June 4, 2007) – The RI Office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a second round of requests for proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), for 2007. Grants of up to $75,000 are available to fund creative ideas and practices that will conserve soil, water and energy resources or improve air quality, grazing land and forest health in Rhode Island. The total pot from which NRCS will make awards to CIG is $176,000.
• The 2007 Rhode Island Envirothon
  Rockville, RI (May 1, 2007) - The RI Envirothon was held on Thursday, May 17, 2007at Camp Yawgoog Scout Reservation in Rockville, Rhode Island. Nine teams competed from five High Schools: Coventry, Narragansett, North Kingstown, the Wheeler School and Cumberland.

• Kickemuit River Fish Passage Media Event
  WARREN, RI (May 1, 2007) - Officials announced the completion of a $340,000 fish ladder that will allow herring to swim into the reservoir from the river below. About 75 people gathered at the headquarters of the Bristol County Water Authority, which owns the Kickemuit Reservoir, to celebrate the restoration of a crucial fish habitat. "It's nice to see all these organizations here and see there's still a fight for Mother Earth," said Ed Page, a member of the Pocasset Indian tribe, which once fished the waters of the Kickemuit. "It's a beautiful thing."

• FEDERAL GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR INNOVATIVE ON-FARM ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS IN RHODE ISLAND
  WARWICK, RI (April 17, 2007) — State Conservationist Roylene Rides at the Door today announced the request for proposals for the Rhode Island Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Conservation Innovation Grants is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.
• USDA TO PROVIDE FEDERAL FUNDS TO PROTECT RHODE ISLAND’S WORKING FARMS -Project proposals will be accepted through April 27, 2007
  WARWICK, RI (January 3, 2007) — State Conservationist Roylene Rides at the Door today announced the request for proposals for the national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Conservation Innovation Grants is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.
• USDA ANNOUNCES FISCAL YEAR 2007 SIGN-UP FOR UP TO $20 MILLION IN CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS
  WARWICK, RI (January 3, 2007) — State Conservationist Roylene Rides at the Door today announced the request for proposals for the national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Conservation Innovation Grants is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production.

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