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Program Updates
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Two Year Reports Due: Aug. 30, 2025
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2025-27 New Biennium VSP Contracts
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Capital Funding Update
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VSP Program Funding Guidelines Finalized
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Joint TP/SAC VSP Meeting: Aug. 6, 2025
Partner Appreciations
Technical Panel VSP Site Visits
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Hodgepodge Of Pollination
By: Megan Martin Aust, Pacific CD, 2020.
Tools & Training Opportunities
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VSP Open Office Hours - Now Through Oct.
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5-Year Report Template Trainings
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1:1 VSP Support Sessions
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Upcoming Conservation Technical Development Trainings
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Two Year Reports Due Aug. 30, 2025
Every two years, VSP counties submit a status report to share progress on Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) efforts associated with their Work Plan. This report offers an opportunity for counties and local work groups to update the public on conservation efforts and accomplishments. The two-year report may also serve as an opportunity to highlight a specific project, event, community, or partnership that has led to the voluntary stewardship of natural resources in their area.
You may submit 2-Year Reports to the SCC HERE.
Please visit the WSCC VSP websites Reporting Page for details. A detailed announcement will be sent to all VSP counties the week of July 21, 2025.
2025-27 New Biennium VSP Contracts
New Biennium VSP contracts were sent out to VSP Counties in June. Please contact Nicole if you have any questions.
Capital Funding Update
The first Amendment for Upfront Capital funds planned to be available to counties by July 21, 2025. All VSP Counties will receive $40,000 in Capital funds for cost share/DIP projects. This capital award will be billed as Outcome 2 on VSP vouchers.
Please see the guidelines for details on use of the $40,000 capital funding and upcoming funding rounds.
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VSP Program Funding Guidelines Finalized
The public comment period for the draft VSP Program Funding Guidelines closed at the end of June 2025. All comments were reviewed and incorporated as best as possible. A final draft of the VSP Program Funding Guidelines was presented at the July 17, 2025, SCC Commission Meeting and were accepted.
A formal announcement on the VSP Funding Guidelines will be made to VSP Counties in the coming days.
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Joint TP/SAC VSP Meeting
on Aug. 6, 2025
Location: Spokane and online
This meeting will continue to focus on reporting guidance and will also hold time on the agenda for Pend Oreille, Stevens, Lincoln, Spokane, and Ferry counties.
Open to the public. Registration required.
If attending in person (lunch provided) please RSVP HERE.
If attending online, please register HERE.
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Check Out Pacific Conservation District's New Video on No-Till Agricultural Operations
Pacific Conservation District recently released a 12-minute video highlighting the power of partnership, voluntary stewardship, and no-till farming on Pacific County’s agricultural lands.
The film shares a multigenerational story beginning with the family’s original homestead established in 1948, tracing the current owner’s journey to reclaim the farm in 2018 and the conservation benefits realized through no-till practices.
We encourage you to watch and share this insightful look at sustainable agriculture.
A big thank you to Pacific Conservation District, their Agricultural Programs Manager, Lorenzo Churape, and their Outreach & Education Programs Manager, Alexander Berk, for producing this video. Funding for this project was from SCC’s Sustainable Farms & Fields Program and the Climate Commitment Act.
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Skagit County VSP Site Visit
June 24, 2025
The Skagit County and Skagit Conservation District (CD) recently hosted a Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) site visit with the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and Technical Panel members. The tour highlighted innovative practices supporting agricultural viability and natural resource protection.
Skagit County CD featured its Samish watershed uplift strategies, including the implementation of Heavy Use Protection Areas and a strategically designed French drain system that reduces runoff and supports pasture irrigation. These improvements are paired with rotational grazing practices tailored to meat goat operations.
Another key highlight was learning about a Skagit CD pilot project using ultraviolet (UV) filtration in stagnant ponds to target fecal coliform bacteria. This approach is being tested in select areas of the Samish Basin to support improved water quality.
To learn more, check out the Washington Grown: Fields & Streams (Washington Grown: Fields & Streams, ) February 2025 issue.
The tour concluded at a large-scale riparian restoration site along the mainstem of the Skagit River, focused on Critical Area enhancements. This project integrates a hay operation with conservation efforts, including the installation of more than 3,000 native bareroot plants to improve stream shade, bank stability, and fish and wildlife habitat along one of the county’s largest river systems. (This project was managed in partnership with Skagit County and Skagit CD.)
Photo: Where the Buffer Meets the Road. By: Victoria Fischella, June, 2025.
San Juan County VSP Site Visit
June 25, 2025
San Juan County continued to demonstrate strong progress toward Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) goals through diverse, landowner-led conservation efforts. Site visits included a riparian restoration project featuring beaver dam analogs to improve stream function, habitat, and water quality; Lum Farms LLC.'s diversified livestock and dairy operation on the Coffelt Farm Preserve showcasing rotational grazing, riparian buffers, and sustainable land management; and a newly established cattle and tea farm implementing runoff mitigation strategies, native plant buffers, and innovative composting practices. Each project reflects meaningful collaboration between landowners and the San Juan Islands Conservation District to protect Critical Areas while maintaining working agricultural lands. Together, these efforts highlight the county’s commitment to voluntary, incentive-based stewardship.
Photo (Left): Smiles Flow Where Native Plants Grow. By: Victoria Fischella, June 2025.
Photo (Right): Shear Pride at Lum Farms LLC. By: Victoria Fischella, June 2025.
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5-Year Reporting Template Training
Join us for a training on the new VSP 5-year reporting template from beginning to end for VSP counties. Please register using the links provided below.
Counties/VSP staff working on reporting are only required to attend 1 of the 5 training tutorials offered. One of these training sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the VSP website for ongoing reference.
Upcoming 5 Year Report Template Trainings:
Training Session #4
Date & Time: August 8, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. PST
Registration Here
Training Session #5
Date & Time: September 15, 2025, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. PST
Registration Here
1:1 County Support Sessions
Are you new to VSP? Feeling in the weeds on upcoming 2- or 5-year report deadlines?
We’ve got you covered! One-on-one support sessions are available with SCC VSP staff and Technical Panel members to answer questions, walk through program requirements, and provide tailored guidance to help your county succeed. These sessions are informal, conversational, and can be scheduled easily through our online reservation system.
Make your reservation today!
VSP Open Office Hours - Now through Oct.
Join us the second Tuesday of every month, 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Join SCC VSP staff and the VSP Technical Panel Coordinators for open hours office hours to ask questions, hear what other counties are up to and learn from fellow VSP peers.
SCC and Technical Panel coordinators are currently working on VSP Open Office Hours Content Request Form and Lesson Plans to review at upcoming office hours.
Upcoming Conservation Technical Development Trainings
Check out the CTD July Newsletter for training & education opportunities!
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Copyright 2025 - Washington State Conservation Commission
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