The application period for the Urban Farms Conservation Mini-Grant program is now open!

The Alameda County Conservation Partnership, a collaboration between the Alameda County Resource Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in collaboration with UC Cooperative Extension’s Urban Ag & Food Systems Program is happy to announce the eighth round of our urban farm conservation mini-grant program, funded by the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The urban farm conservation mini-grant program aims to enhance natural resources conservation and farm operational efficiencies on urban and urban-edge farms in Alameda County while improving yields and enhancing overall production. Mini-grants provide limited funding for farm or garden improvements that will enhance soil and water quality as well as habitat on-site, with benefits that positively impact the surrounding community and/or ecosystem.

Click here for the application, due by 5 pm on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 to [email protected]com or via google form! For more information, see our funding opportunities.

Become a Board Member for the Alameda County Resource Conservation District

Do you have a passion for natural resources, agriculture, conservation, education, land use, or biology? If you answered yes, you’re encouraged to consider applying to join the Alameda County Resource Conservation District’s Board of Directors! There are two opportunities to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors in late 2022. This is your opportunity to help set policy and program direction for the District by participating in monthly (4th Mondays 6:00 to 8:00-9:00
pm) meetings and sub-committees of the board. More information can be found here.

Request an agenda or an application to join the ACRCD Board of Directors by contacting Marilyn Harvey, CFO at [email protected] or (925) 453-3863. Please submit your application form by November 1, 2022 for consideration.

Farmer & Rancher Grant Writing Workshop

USDA Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement (OPPE) with the Fresno State University Jordan College of Agriculture and Division of Research and Graduate Studies presents this two-hour workshop that is targeted towards farmers and ranchers, including veteran and beginning farmers/ranchers, and will cover
information ranging from but not limited to the following:

• How to register on grants.gov
• Proposal development process
• Submission requirements
• Workplan
• Partnerships
• Grant Writing Tips

Please contact [email protected] for more information!

Managing California Grassland for California Tiger Salamander and California Red-legged Frog: Considerations When Applying Compost

Applying compost on rangelands has many potential benefits for soils and beyond—but what about putting compost in upland habitat where sensitive amphibians reside? Read the Alameda County Conservation Partnership’s new factsheet: Managing California Grassland for California Tiger Salamander and California Red-legged Frog: Considerations When Applying Compost. 

Join the Clean Water Volunteers & H.A.R.D on October 8th, 2022

We are excited for you to join the Clean Water Volunteers and the Hayward Area Recreation & Park District’s Volunteers in Parks (V.I.P.) Program!

Come out to Meek Estate Park on Saturday, October 8th from 9:00am to 12:00pm for a litter removal and park beautification day.

Click here for the flyer and to learn more. Please register on the H.A.R.D. V.I.P website by following this link.

Volunteer for Coastal Cleanup on September 17th, 2022

We are excited for you to join the Clean Water Volunteers for the 38th annual Coastal Cleanup Day at the Castro Valley Creek Trail! This effort is part of the statewide Coastal Cleanup Day and is made possible by the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation Districts in coordination with Friends of San Lorenzo Creek.

Volunteers will participate in a litter pickup along the creek trail and beautify the trail starting from the Castro Valley Library to Castro Valley Creek Blvd.

To learn more and register visit: https://2022castrovalleycoastalcleanup.eventbrite.com.

Welcome Living Arroyos

We’re excited to announce that the Living Arroyos program has joined the Alameda County Resource Conservation District. Living Arroyos is a multi-agency partnership to enhance and maintain the urban streams and streamside habitats of the Livermore-Amador valley, while continuing to protect drinking water supplies and prevent flooding. The program relies on the support and participation of the community to create beautiful, safe, natural areas that serve the needs of people and other living things. Please join us at one of our community workdays as we rebuild our urban streams from the ground up!

2022 Alameda County Fair

The Alameda County Fair runs June 17th to July 10th. Join us in Building Q to find resources on wildlife conservation, healthy soils, agriculture, and more!