Land Management, Agriculture, Wildlife, and Rural Communities

States manage lands for multiple uses, from agriculture to recreation and even energy production. Agriculture plays an important role in many states and territories’ economies. Governors have taken the lead on improving agricultural economies, managing wildlife, and responding to the unique challenges of rural and tribal communities.

Agriculture plays an important role in states and territories’ economies. Land-use decisions affect agriculture, housing, and infrastructure. As Governors lead on improving agricultural economies, managing wildlife, and responding to land use challenges and rural economies, the National Governors Associations’ Center for Best Practices enhances the Governors’ advisors to achieve their policy goals by providing information and sharing best practices across the states and territories.

Meet the team

  • Will Carraco, Program Director
  • Matt Gessel, Policy Coordinator

NGA Resources

This paper summarizes the types of telehealth policy flexibilities provided by states and the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic and longer-term considerations for Governors regarding the impact of such ...
The Future of  State Telehealth Policy

The Future of State Telehealth Policy

Helping governors and their outdoor recreation staff explore strategies to leverage their unique natural, cultural and historical resources to improve access to and help promote economic, social and environmental benefits ...
NGA OUTDOOR RECREATION LEARNING NETWORK

NGA OUTDOOR RECREATION LEARNING NETWORK

Communities in every state depend on clean water for drinking and for outdoor recreation but state and local budgets normally used for water quality protection have been hard hit by ...
Source Water Protection for Safe Drinking and Recreation: State Partnerships and Funding Opportunities with USDA

Source Water Protection for Safe Drinking and Recreation: State Partnerships and Funding Opportunities with USDA

Summary Times of crisis often exacerbate the economic challenges faced by rural communities. Following the Great Recession, for example, unemployment in rural areas rose by 6 percent, and rates of ...
Solutions for Rural Economies in Response to COVID-19

Solutions for Rural Economies in Response to COVID-19

Rural households typically spend 40 percent more on energy bills than urban households (ACEEE). States are working to reduce rural energy burdens by engaging rural co-operatives, municipal utilities, federal agencies, ...
Rural Energy Affordability Solutions

Rural Energy Affordability Solutions

Rural America has a robust cultural history that has enriched the nation and its people. Rural America is also beset with social and economic challenges. Population migration and persistent poverty ...
RURAL PROSPERITY THROUGH THE ARTS & CREATIVE SECTOR

RURAL PROSPERITY THROUGH THE ARTS & CREATIVE SECTOR

This webinar will features a presentation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on rural broadband deployment programs and resources. Highlighted in the webinar is the newly launched ReConnect Program ...

Broadband Deployment: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Programs

Summary A partnership between NGA Solutions: The Center for Best Practices, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) introduced an extensive ...
Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Creative Sector

Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Creative Sector

WASHINGTON — Struggling rural communities have found new life through smart public policies that boost the creative sector, the National Governors Association said in a report and action guide that ...

NGA Offers Strategies for Creative Sector to Revitalize Rural Communities