Past RCD grant projects

All of these programs have focused on getting conservation practices "on the ground", while evaluating their multiple benefits and impacts on the farms and farmers that implement them. For more information about an individual project, select the link associated with the project title.

VEGETATED AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE DITCHES STUDY: In cooperation with scientists from the USDA Ag Research Service, UC Davis, Clemson University and private consulting firms, the Yolo County RCD  installed and tested the effectiveness of vegetated irrigation drainage ditches on several Yolo County farms. Funded by the State Water Resource Control Board.

WILLOW SLOUGH WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT: Guided by the Willow Sough Watershed Integrated Resources Management  Plan (1996). Projects include farm and stream habitat improvement, range improvement with native vegetation and fencing, and riparian permit coordination.  Funded by grants from the CALFED Ecosystem Restoration Program, CA Dept. of Conservation, Yolo Co. Flood Control and Water Conservation District and Wildlife Conservation Board. This project has been conducted in partnership with the Audubon Landowner Stewardship Program.

Union School Slough Watershed Improvement Program: funded by the CALFED Ecological Restoration Program, 1999-2005. In collaboration with the California Audubon Landowner Stewardship Program, work included an expanded water quality Best Management Practices implementation and monitoring program, extensive range improvement projects with native vegetation and fencing, and development of an on-line farm practices and conservation effects estimation tool. Lowland work was directed by the RCD under the Lower Union School Slough Watershed Improvement Program. Work in the upper watershed extended beyond the Union School Slough watershed boundaries and was directed by Audubon staff under the Landowner Stewardship Program.

Water Use Efficiency Pilot Program: funded by the CALFED Water Use Efficiency Program, 2001. Featured implementation and monitoring of practical, cost-effective agricultural irrigation and drainage water management practices to evaluate their efficacy in maintaining regional water quality. Through the course of the project, RCD staff also investigated on-farm monitoring techniques and methods for extending cooperative water use efficiency programs around the state.

Farming with Wildlife: funded by USEPA, 1993 to 1996. Sponsored a number of annual Farming for Wildlife Workshops, produced professional video "Working Habitat for Working Farms" and slide show presentations on local practices and achievements, funded printing of comprehensive, lucidly written "Farming for Wildlife" manual for statewide distribution.

Total Resource Management-Model Farms Grant: funded by the US Bureau of Reclamation, 1995-2000.
Worked with five local farms and growers to assess total resource inputs and coordinate model whole-farm operations and applications. Practices implemented as part of the project included tailwater return ponds, insectary hedgerows, range management, irrigation water management, cover crops, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Staff carefully monitored the implementation and impact of the adopted practices, then compared on-site results with initial resource conservation goals. Data from this monitoring was collected and contribute to the production of three conservation guides available through our educational materials page.

Irrigation Ecosystem and Water Quality Grant: funded by US EPA through the State Water Resources Control Board, 1995 - Fall of 1997. Revegetating canal banks, natural sloughs, and county roadsides, and building irrigation tailwater ponds - all aiming to decrease erosion and sediment loss, improve water quality, groundwater recharge and water flow, and increase biological diversity.

IPM-Hedgerow Grant: funded by the state Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1996-99. Designing and creating five disparate, native plant Hedgerow systems to harbor beneficial insects and pest predators (bats, owls, and raptors), control erosion and noxious weed growth, reduce chemical spraying and stray drift, labor costs, and accidents from working awkward set-asides.

Operation Greenstripe:Monsanto Corporation began the Greenstripe program in the mid-west to encourage use of vegetated filter strips along waterways to block damaging sediments from entering creeks and lakes. The Yolo RCD was the first organization in the western U.S. to partner with Monsanto on this important project. In our case, the company gave $100 to participating FFA and 4-H chapters whose members assisted in vegetating several irrigation tailwater ponds.

RD 108 Levee Revegetation & Bank Stabilization Program : funded by the US Bureau of Reclamation, 1997-2000. A model irrigation waterway bank stabilization project for Reclamation District 108 in northern Yolo County, with potential for regional and statewide applications on highly erosive irrigation canal banks.