Catch up on everything NACD has been up this summer in the latest edition of The Resource. Click the cover above to begin browsing the publication. Inside you'll find updates on our grant programs and events, as well as stories from conservations districts, including:

• How districts in the Pacific Islands Area are working with NACD leadership to increase inter-regional communications
• How the Nodaway County SWCD is working to improve water quality within their community
• How Perkins County Conservation District employees are using grant programs to support local producers
• And more!

On behalf of all of us at NACD, we are proud to be your national voice and to highlight a few stories showcasing the phenomenal conservation work being accomplished across the country. We hope you will enjoy this edition and can be inspired by your peers in the conservation district family. As you read the latest edition, please let us know if you have any ideas for the next edition of The Resource.

Browse past editions of The Resource on NACD's website and please let us know if you have any questions or comments about this edition.

ANNOUNCING THE 2023 NCF-ENVIROTHON INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is pleased to announce that the 34th Annual NCF-Envirothon Competition will be held July 23rd-29th, 2023 in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada in partnership with Envirothon New Brunswick. The NCF-Envirothon Competition brings together high school students from across the United States, Canada, and China to complete for more than $30,000 in scholarship prizes and awards in the five areas of study: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and this year’s current issue.

The 2023 NCF-Envirothon will spotlight the ecology and natural resources of New Brunswick, with a special focus on this year’s current issue of “Adapting to a Changing Climate.” Students will learn about the factors contributing to a changing climate, its impact on natural resources and human society, and actions that can be taken to mitigate those impacts. Students will also learn about the unique challenges facing natural-resource dependent communities and how these communities are adapting to maintain their ways of life.

The week-long competition next summer will include hands-on trainings in each of the NCF-Envirothon’s main study areas, tests that challenge students to apply their ecological knowledge out in the field, and the development of an Oral Presentation to address a real-world problem-solving scenario based on the Current Issue. At the conclusion of the event, students will be recognized for their achievements with awards and scholarships for the most outstanding teams.

As part of the competition each year, learning objectives and study resources are developed for the teams to prepare. The 2023 current issue resources focus on the theme of “Adapting to a Changing Climate,” and provide background information on climate science, greenhouse gasses, measuring and monitoring changes in Earth’s climate, climate modeling, international agreements on climate issues, impacts to ecosystems and natural resources, social and economic impacts, and innovative technologies. Part A of the Current Issue study resources is now available on the NCF-Envirothon website. Additional resources for the other areas of study will be available next spring.

Complete event details can be found at www.envirothon.org. The NCF-Envirothon, a program of the National Conservation Foundation (NCF), is supported through a partnership with NACD.

NARD CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN NEBRASKA

On September 25- 27, NACD joined the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) as they celebrated their 50th anniversary at their annual meeting in Kearney, Nebraska.

In 1972, Nebraska's original 154 districts were consolidated along major river basins, to allow for better management practices to be applied to similar topography. Nebraska's Natural Resources Districts were established as local government units involved in a variety of projects and programs to conserve and protect the state's natural resources. Today, Nebraska's unique system of locally controlled, tax-funded, watershed-based conservation is widely admired throughout the nation.

In addition to the regular business meeting, breakout sessions, and awards, this 50th celebration was made special with keynote speaker Governor Pete Ricketts during the general session. Governor Ricketts spoke to a crowd of 500 people on the importance of the Natural Resource Districts (NRDs) and how they have been very successful in the last 50 years due to their unique nature that is specifically suited to the needs of Nebraskans. Governor Rickett’s speech was followed with a brief video from state legislators sending their congratulations to the NRDs and a ceremonial cake cutting. The festivities included the Annual Ron Bishop Memorial NARD Foundation Golf Tournament and Awards Dinner, a trap shoot fundraiser, and the President’s Reception hosted by NARD President and NACD Northern Plains Region Chair Dr. Orval Gigstad. Media were present throughout the conference and interviewed several key people, including Dr. Gigstad and NARD Executive Director Dean Edson. For more information on Nebraska’s NRDs, or for updates on interviews, go to www.nrdnet.org.

From NACD, congratulations on 50 years of conservation NARD, and here’s to another 50! 

David and Margaret Brewer are the fifth generation of the family to farm with the goal of sustainability and opportunities for the next generation. The Brewers’ operation, Emerson Dell Farm, consists of more than 2,000 acres of cropland and 3,000 acres of pasture and rangeland, all on upland soils. The crops they raise include wheat, canola, barley, sunflowers, mustard, and a variety of forage for their cattle. Their cow-calf operation is all grass-fed and grass-finished cattle that they direct market themselves.

David's family were early adopters and considered progressive when it comes to conservation. In a region that receives approximately 12 inches of precipitation annually, Brewer has created a soil health system that helps him capture the moisture he does receive.

Some of the soil health practices they employ include no-till, diverse crop rotation, rotational grazing, and grazing forage blends. Each piece of this system plays a significant role in making this a sustainable operation, but it hasn’t necessarily been a smooth transition. Most recently Brewer has been experimenting with inter-seeding and cover crops.

When Brewer returned from a cover crop and soil health trip up to the Dakotas, he looked to put into practice the lessons he’d learned. While the Dakotas are in a completely different precipitation zone and cropping system, he learned the principle of feeding the soil and letting the soil take care of his crops. He believed that if it could work for them, it could work for him – it just might look different.

To hear more from David Brewer about how he manages his dryland acres for a prosperous operation with a focus on soil health, be sure to watch his NRCS Soil Health Profile video and read his NACD Soil Health Champion profile on the NACD website.

If you or someone you know would like to become an NACD Soil Health Champion, please visit the NACD website or contact NACD North Central Region Representative Beth Mason at beth-mason@nacdnet.org or 317-946-4463.