Vilsack Announces 41 Watersheds to Take Part in Mississippi River Basin Initiative Forty-one watersheds in 12 states join new USDA initiative to improve water quality and the overall health of the Mississippi River Basin. Selected watersheds exceed 42 million acres, more than half the Basin's land area.
	News Release Map and Watersheds List MRBI Overview

	USDA Launches New Coral Reef Conservation Initiative Deputy Under Secretary Ann Mills announces $1 million to help farmers along Puerto Rico’s Guánica Bay protect coral reefs from sediment and nutrient run-off. Similar programs are planned for Florida, U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.
	News Release

	Capitol Hill Elementary School Dedicates Rain Garden Christie Vilsack and Chief White celebrate Brent Elementary School's new rain garden, a partnership project to improve water quality and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
	Celebration Slideshow (USDA/Flickr) News Release

Updated 11/23/2009