Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) Mission

The mission of the Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) is to provide leadership in the county and region to enhance natural resources conservation, preserve wildlife and habitat, and improve rangeland and agricultural management through partnerships, education, outreach, resource services and technical assistance to clients, and funding support.

The ACRCD and NRCS are not Government oversight agencies. Maintaining the trust of the landowners and ranchers is of the utmost importance.

Tickets on Sale Now! Nature’s Best Hope Conferences, Featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Doug Tallamy

A celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Bringing back the Natives Garden Tour

Purchase tickets here, and learn more about the speakers and topics:

https://bit.ly/Natures-Best-Hope-2024

Saturday, November 16 – Full Day Conference at the Oakland Museum of California’s James Moore Theater

Box lunch available for purchase, or pack your own picnic

Early Bird Price: $70 ($80 after October 31)

Sunday, November 17 – Half Day Conference at Santa Clara University’s Mayer Theater

Early Bird Price: $40 ($50 after October 31)

As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, we’re excited to announce that we will host two conferences in mid-November that will feature Doug Tallamy, NY Times bestselling author of Nature’s Best Hope as the keynote speaker.

Doug Tallamy will be our keynote speaker at two conferences, each with unique programs, and book signings. Join us for one day or for both. In addition to Dr. Tallamy, we’ll hear from regional changemakers throughout these two conferences.

Douglas Tallamy is an entomologist, ecologist and conservationist. As a professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware he brings to the stage fantastic photographs and stories of individual caterpillars, the native plants they evolved to eat, and how important insect populations are to the survival of our birds. Tallamy advocates for using home gardens and landscaping to bridge the gaps between parks and preserves in providing habitat for native species.  In “The Chickadees Guide to Gardening: In Your Garden, Choose Plants That Help the Environment“, Doug Tallamy says, ““By including native plants in our gardens we can create life, and by using nonnative plants, we can prevent it.”

Fall 2024 Newsletter

Read about the Alameda County Conservation Partnership’s (ACRCD, NRCS) latest projects and funding opportunities today!

Let’s Dig Into It: Soil Sampling & Testing Workshop

Join the Alameda County Conservation Partnership (ACRCD, NRCS) for an educational workshop about soil sampling and testing for farmers! This event is especially for those new to farming or who have not been trained in soil sampling protocols.

  • Attendees will participate in a conversation about the basics and value of soil sampling, reading soil test results, and available resources.
  • Attendees will step into the field to learn best practices for soil sampling for lab analysis and review how different field conditions could affect soil testing results.
  • Attendees are encouraged to bring results from their own soil tests if they have them.

The Workshop is open to the public. Attendance is limited: priority will be given to farmers/ranchers within Alameda County.

Register today: https://soiltestingworkshop.eventbrite.com

Have questions? Please contact: Catherine de la Peña, [email protected]

Project Update: Brushy Peak

ACRCD is thrilled to be partnering with EBRPD and the Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed (STRAW) program from Point Blue Conservation Science to revitalize Brushy Peak through tree and shrub planting with the help of local students. Our cohort is immersing themselves in hands-on restoration science, enhancing riparian habitats—those essential green spaces that border our rivers and streams. ACRCD staff, especially the Living Arroyos Interns, helped with planting, watering, and caring for the new plantings throughout the dry summer months.

As winter arrives, this collaborative effort will expand to include experimenting with planting a diverse array of plant species specifically chosen for the unique conditions of Brushy Peak. This initiative not only boosts local ecosystems but also plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and soil erosion control while fostering community involvement in conservation. Together, we’re cultivating a deeper connection to nature and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards!

Compost for Ag Program, Funding Available

Fall is a great time to add compost to your production land. If you are interested in determining if compost could work for you – now is the time to contact us about the Compost for Ag program!

Please read about the financial assistance associated with this program on the fact sheet and contact us to get started by filling out this form today.

Updated Available Funding Opportunities

Working together, the Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are here to assist Ranchers, Farmers, and Land Managers with a variety of conservation best practices and funding! As of May 2024, the ACRCD and NRCS have funding available for specific conservation efforts and look forward to working with you! To decide which opportunities are best for you, visit the Funding Opportunities here.

Alameda County Conservation Partnership

The Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) collaborate as the Conservation Partnership to serve as the lead conservation agency in Alameda County. We provide technical and educational services for natural resource conservation and agriculture enhancement. The Partnership collaborates with many partners including private landowners, local, state and federal agencies and other organizations to develop and implement various conservation and agricultural strategies. The ACRCD also works closely, on a fee for service basis, with public agencies and private sector companies, to help achieve conservation based goals.

Alameda County Conservation Partnership

Latest ACRCD News

Project Update: Urban Farming

October 16, 2024|0 Comments

Urban farms and their farmers are key players in strengthening Alameda County’s community health, protecting access to green spaces, and building climate resilience. ACRCD and NRCS staff have been working to expand their long-standing partnership [...]