Smith Creek Restoration Projects

Cover Crop Mixes for the Shenandoah Valley

Clean Streams Initiative

The Shenandoah Valley Clean Streams Initiative will harness the collaborative efforts of the Virginia Waste Solutions Forum (WSF, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Virginia Tech, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Shenandoah Valley community organizations and local governments to support the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in delivering targeted Chesapeake Bay Farm Bill funding to high-density animal production watersheds in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

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Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture

The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) is a recognized Fish Habitat Partnership operating under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. The EBTJV coordinates efforts that build private and public partnerships to improve brook trout habitat. The long-term goals of the EBTJV are to implement a comprehensive conservation strategy to improve aquatic habitat, raise public awareness, and prioritize the use of federal, state and local funds for brook trout conservation.

Livestock Exclusion (Flex Fencing) Project

A project of Shenandoah RC&D. In Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, streams are ailing. Cattle and other livestock that wander through the streams are a significant source of bacteria, nutrients, and sediment in the waterways. Both the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offer programs to help farmers pay for fencing and other practices that keep livestock out of streams. Here is a flexible fencing program that is also available in Smith Creek. 

NRCS Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI)

The Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, a private, nonprofit organization based in Verona, has received a three-year partnership agreement with nearly three quarters of a million dollars annually ($720,000) to help farmers with conservation practices. The funds were provided through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI).

Valley Conservation Council Conservation Easements

New Funding Available for Conservation Easements

Incentive payments of up to $10,000 to help Smith Creek landowners place whole farm easements on their property through a Valley Conservation Council grant.