3 SD projects receive a combined $51 million for climate-smart agriculture

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Action: Federal Funding Supports “Climate-Smart” Agriculture in South Dakota

Introduction

In a significant effort to promote sustainable development and address climate change, a land trust, state university, and conservation group in South Dakota have been awarded a combined total of $51 million in federal funding. These funds aim to incentivize “climate-smart” agriculture practices in the state, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ducks Unlimited Receives $25 Million Grant for Grassland Restoration

The largest grant of $25 million was awarded to Ducks Unlimited, a hunter-led organization focused on habitat conservation. This funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, will support the restoration of over 25,000 acres of grassland in South Dakota over the next five years.

• Ducks Unlimited will work alongside partners such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.
• The project aims to turn unproductive farmland or overgrazed pasture acres back into healthy grassland.
• Landowners will be compensated for their participation in the program.
• Ranchers will receive assistance in developing livestock grazing plans to prevent overgrazing.
• Ducks Unlimited will contribute funds for fencing and water tanks to protect sensitive areas of newly established grass from livestock trampling.

South Dakota Agricultural Land Trust and South Dakota State University’s Every Acre Counts Program

In addition to Ducks Unlimited, two other projects in South Dakota have received funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program:

1. The South Dakota Agricultural Land Trust has been awarded $18.3 million to conserve 8,000 acres of working ranch grasslands on the periphery of the Black Hills.
2. South Dakota State University’s Every Acre Counts program will receive $8 million to help farmers identify the best uses of their land through “precision profitability analysis.”

Environmental Benefits and Measurement

These projects not only contribute to the SDGs but also provide significant environmental benefits:

• Restoring and preserving natural areas helps sequester carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.
• The programs improve water quality, flood storage, soil erosion control, and nutrient loss reduction.

Bruce Toay, Ducks Unlimited’s manager of conservation programs in South Dakota, emphasized the importance of measuring the impact of these initiatives:

“The program will sequester more carbon into the soil, improve water quality and flood storage, and reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss. And we’re going to be able to measure it by taking soil samples and seeing, for example, how many metric tons of CO2 we’re putting back into the soil.”

This data will inform future conservation programs and contribute to evidence-based decision-making.

Conclusion

The federal funding awarded to these projects in South Dakota demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development and the SDGs. By promoting “climate-smart” agriculture practices, such as grassland restoration and precision land use analysis, these initiatives contribute to environmental conservation, carbon sequestration, and improved land management. Through collaboration between various stakeholders, South Dakota is taking significant steps towards a more sustainable future.

This article was produced by South Dakota Searchlight, a platform that provides free news and commentary on critical issues facing the state. For more information, visit SouthDakotaSearchlight.Com.

Copyright 2023 KSFY. All rights reserved.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Indicator: The article discusses the restoration of grasslands and the development of livestock grazing plans to mitigate overgrazing and preserve natural areas, which contribute to climate action by sequestering carbon dioxide and reducing soil erosion and nutrient loss.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Indicator: The article mentions the restoration of grasslands and the conservation of wildlife habitat, which contribute to the conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems.

3. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.
   • Indicator: The article discusses the identification of the best uses of farmers’ land through precision profitability analysis, which aims to improve agricultural practices and increase productivity.

4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • Indicator: The article mentions the improvement of water quality and flood storage through conservation efforts, which contribute to the target of improving water quality.

5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
   • Indicator: Although not explicitly mentioned in the article, the conservation efforts and sustainable agricultural practices described contribute to responsible consumption and production by promoting environmentally sound management of land and resources.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: dakotanewsnow.com

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