Tomorrow is the last day to send in your nominations for the 2022 NACD Service Awards This opportunity offers national recognition to outstanding individuals and organizations for their work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Winners will be honored at the 2023 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA on February 14. 

The Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources. Any individual, business, organization, or agency that is not directly associated with conservation districts at the local, state, or national level is eligible to receive this award. 

The NACD Distinguished Service Awards recognizes an individual within the association, a conservation district, or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources. Nominees can be involved with districts or the association at any level, including past NACD officers. Nominations are also accepted for individuals posthumously. 

Visit the NACD website to nominate your conservation leaders now through tomorrow, August 31 and to view previous award winners, visit the NACD Awards Archives. 

PRESENT AT NACD'S 2023 ANNUAL MEETING!

NACD is accepting breakout session proposals for the upcoming 2023 Annual Meeting - to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 11-15, 2023. These informational breakout sessions focus on the work of conservation districts and their partners across the country. Sessions typically run 60-90 minutes long and often showcase several speakers.

This year NACD is seeking proposals that fit into one of four themes:

• Natural Resource Management & Climate Resilience
• District Operations & Developing Next-Gen Conservationists
• Equity, Access, & Outreach
• Conservation Planning & Customer Service Training

NACD's breakout sessions are some of the most popular activities among meeting attendees. Session proposals are being accepted now through Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

APPLY FOR THE

NGLI 2023 COHORT

The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is currently accepting applications for the 2023 cohort of the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI)! The program equips conservation district leaders with the tools to become national leaders through personal, civic and organizational leadership development. The program was created in response to a high demand for leadership instruction for conservation district leaders facing the challenges of a changing world.

Representation from each of the seven NACD regions is the goal. If you have identified a candidate or may be one yourself, check out our website to see if NGLI might be the next step in your leadership journey. Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2022.

LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP REESTABLISHES NATIVE VEGETATION IN LOUISIANA'S COASTAL WETLANDS

Louisiana’s coastal wetlands are disappearing. All along the state’s Gulf Coast, the loss and degradation of these wetlands is a critical natural resource concern. These losses affect everyone. Louisiana’s wetlands and their diverse ecosystems support industries important not only to Louisiana, but also to the nation, such as seafood, fishing, oil and gas, shipping, and tourism.

“What sets us apart from everyone else who plants grass is our partnership with eleven Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in the coastal zone to implement this program,” says Jeremy Rodriguez, one of the Project Managers for the Coastal Vegetative Planting Program with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Soil and Water Conservation (LDAF-OSWC).

“What sets us apart from everyone else who plants grass is our partnership with eleven Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in the coastal zone to implement this program,” says Jeremy Rodriguez, one of the Project Managers for the Coastal Vegetative Planting Program with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s Office of Soil and Water Conservation (LDAF-OSWC).

Through SWCDs, the Coastal Vegetative Planting Program is able to easily work directly with landowners on private lands in addition to state and federal lands. The program assists a diverse range of landowners, not just those who qualify for Farm Bill conservation programs. The majority of the marsh in southern Louisiana is privately owned, so this ability to easily work with private landowners helps “get conservation where it’s needed most,” says Rodriguez. 

Learn more about Louisiana’s Coastal Vegetative Planting Program, including its partners, history, successes, and more in this blog post.