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The National Conservation Foundation's (NCF) spring fundraiser is wrapping up, but it's not too late to contribute! Celebrate Earth Month and show your dedication to conservation education with a donation before the end of April.
There is tremendous need for dedicated and knowledgeable leaders in conservation. National Conservation Foundation programs start developing interest in conservations focused careers at the high school level through the NCF-Envirothon program. For more advanced leadership training, NCF hosts the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI). Both of these programs are crucial in preparing tomorrow’s work force to address the challenges we know are facing our communities now and in the future. The National Conservation Foundation's programs provide desperately needed educational programing, focusing on conservation and natural resource management.
NCF programming is truly leading the way in addressing the tremendous shortfall our nation is seeing in employees that have the training to take on the robust conservation programs. The National Conservation Foundation cultivates, educates, and inspires conservation leaders of all ages. Support NCF and make a tax deductible and future focused gift today!
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SAVE THE DATE: NACD
2023 SUMMER MEETING
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Get ready to register for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) 2023 Summer Conservation Forum and Tours! Stay tuned for information about upcoming registration, tours, speakers, and more. Hosted in partnership with the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, the 2023 Summer Meeting will take place in Bismarck, North Dakota from July 15-19, 2023 at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center.
NACD's Summer Meeting is the second biggest event of the year and brings together hundreds of conservation leaders from across the nation! Stay tuned for more information regarding registration and event updates as they are announced on NACD's website.
| NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COHORT VISITS DC | |
The 2023 Cohort of the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) is celebrating Earth Day and Stewardship week by becoming better conservation leaders!
The cohort began their spring session yesterday in Washington, D.C.. So far, they heave learned about legislative relations, government affairs, and natural resource policy from experts from NRCS, EPA, NACD Government Affairs, and the 9b Group. After a jam packed training day, and geared with this valuable knowledge, they have put it to the test with visits to their own legislators throughout the day today.
Next, the group is headed to the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.V. Here they will continue classroom training on all things communications, and how to tailor messages to specific conservation and natural resource audiences from industry experts.
| TEXAS DISTRICTS HOLD TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES | |
The Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) and the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) recently held an annual training for Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Directors and Employees in Temple, Texas. Over 125 SWCD directors, employees, and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist came together to hear from ATSWCD partners such as the TSSWCB, USDA-NRCS, Texas Conservation Association for Water and Soil (TCAWS) as well as the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).
On the first day, ATSWCD President and NACD Board Member, Kent Batman welcomed attendees to the event and gave an overview of opportunities, ongoing activities, and the roles of the agencies, associations, and organizations within conservation partnership in Texas. Attendees also received an update on the Texas Legislative Session from Todd Kercheval, the history of Conservation Districts by TSSWCB Field Representative, Tony Franklin, as well as took part in a mock district board meeting where parliamentary procedure examples were given. Additionally, Open Meetings Act and the Public Information Act trainings were given by the Texas Attorney General’s Office. TSSWCB Programs Officer, John Foster concluded the first day with an overview of TSSWCB programs, ranging from flood control to the water quality management plan program. That evening the ATSWCD hosted a social and dinner to provide an opportunity for directors to network with their peers from across the state.
The second day started with an overview of the partner organizations, programs, and opportunities available to districts. ATSWCD Executive Director, Tamara Daniel spoke on their recent trip to the Texas Capitol and the 555 program. Following her was NACD Second Vice President Bill Simshauser, and NRCS State Conservationist, Kristy Oates. Both Simshauser and Oates shared the history of their organizations as well as upcoming grants and opportunities for producers through their respective organizations. The final agenda item of the workshop was a Texas partnership panel discussion consisting of NRCS, ATSWCD, and TSSWCB highlighting how the organizations work hand in hand to put conservation efforts on the ground. For more information about Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts please visit www.tsswcb.texas.gov
|  | NEWAYGO CD MANAGES LONG-STANDING TREE NURSERY | The Newaygo Conservation District (NCD) in western Michigan was established in 1950 and the NCD Nursery was established the same year. The nursery provides bare-root seedlings in bulk to conservation districts throughout the state of Michigan and to residents for reforestation, afforestation, wildlife planting and erosion control. The nursery prioritizes native Michigan trees and shrubs and sold over 1.5 million seedlings the past 3 years, all grown at their 28-acre property. With the recent hiring of Symon Cronk, Nursery Manager, the NCD Nursery is looking ahead to continuing to meet the growing demand and staying on top of industry changes (and challenges) in seed collection, germination, and propagation of these species. |  | |
In addition to assessing the current and future capacities of the nursery, meeting a variety of local and in-state demands for stock, NCD Nursery is also engaging partners like Michigan State University in understanding climate assisted migration and the species shifts anticipated in response to warming temperatures.
When Conservation Districts were established out of the Dust Bowl, there were considerably more district managed nurseries. Referring to the “1981 Directory of Forest Tree Nurseries in the United States,” of the handful of conservation district operated nurseries mentioned in the 1981 directory, Newaygo Conservation District Nursery in Michigan and Antelope Valley Resource Conservation District Nursery in California remain. With an increasing need for reforestation, these district managed tree nurseries are meeting a critical need.
Read the full story on NACD'S blog.
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NACD Stewardship Week Next Week | |
NACD Stewardship Week is one of the largest national programs to promote natural resource conservation. Celebrated annually since 1955, NACD Stewardship Week reminds us of our individual responsibilities to care for natural resources.
This year, NACD’s 68th Stewardship Week will be held April 30 – May 7. In 2023, NACD’s Stewardship Week will be focused on watersheds and the theme of “One Water.”
During Stewardship Week, local conservation districts and their state associations educate the public on the importance of soil health, water quality, pollinator habitat and other conservation topics. Different classroom activities, field visits and community events are hosted to honor and recognize efforts in conservation at the local level.
Learn more and find resources for celebrating Stewardship Week in your district on NACD's website.
| Deadline Extended for Farmer to Farmer Grant Pre-Apps | |
NACD is extending the deadline to submit pre-proposals for the Historically Underserved Farmer-to-Farmer Outreach Grant program until May 12, 2023. NACD will award up to $2.7 million in grants for outreach to Native American and historically underserved producers, as well as on the ground projects that mitigate hypoxic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Projects must be located within the Non-Mississippi River Drainage Region which consists of TX, MS, AL, and portions of FL, GA, NM, and CO. Please see more information about this grant opportunity, including recordings of the applicant information webinars, on the program's webpage.
Contact Chloe Hundelt, NACD Grants Specialist, here with any questions.
| America's Heartland Episode Features NACD Soil Health Champion | |
On March 29, RFD-TV premiered a new episode of “America’s Heartland” which showcased farmers and ranchers across the country who are leaders in sustainability. Sustainable Agriculture Resources and Education (SARE) partnered with PBS KVIE to produce this episode which features farmers describing their commitment to sustainability, how they plan to meet farming challenges of today and tomorrow, and how SARE has impacted their farming practices.
NACD Soil Health Champion Bryce Wrigley of Delta Junction, AK discussed the importance of soil health and how cover crops have improved his overall operation. He addressed the need for building food security in Alaska as well as how his farm is working to address this issue at the local level. Lastly, Wrigley has sought to share his newfound knowledge with other farmers.
If you missed the broadcast, you can now watch it by visiting the SARE website – watching the whole episode or as segments highlighting each individual.
| Last Chance to Grab 2023 Annual Meeting Merchandise | The Limited Edition 2023 Annual Meeting apparel items will only be available on the NACD Marketplace through April 30, 2023. The hats, polos, and jackets are a fantastic way to show "I was there!," even if you weren't. All purchases through the Marketplace support NACD. These items and others are available here. |
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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