Last week, NACD welcomed conservation district leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C. for our first in-person Spring Fly-in since 2019. Following a breakfast briefing with NACD leaders and Senator John Boozman on Wednesday morning, members met with their congressional representatives to discuss the important work districts are performing at the local level and to advocate for federal policy priorities. Retaining recent investments in oversubscribed NRCS conservation programs, increasing funding for conservation technical assistance, and streamlining program application and administration processes were among the requests communicated to hundreds of congressional offices throughout a very productive day. Later, NACD members joined members of Congress and their staffs at a reception to celebrate locally led conservation and district advocacy.

NACD thanks everyone who took the time and effort to attend the fly-in, and we look forward to continuing to work with all of our members to advocate for locally-led conservation. Please complete this short survey to provide feedback and help us to improve future fly-in events and materials. See photos from the day on NACD's flickr page. Visit NACD’s website to view our 2023 issue papers, 2023 Farm Bill recommendations, and more.

NACD SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR SUBCOMITTEES

As NACD organizes new subcommittees under the board’s recently approved reorganization, NACD President Kim LaFleur is seeking volunteers from conservation districts who would like to serve on one of several new subcommittees. Subcommittees are anticipated to meet virtually approximately six times per year and travel is not anticipated.

Subcommittee opportunities include:

• Water and Climate
• Forestry
• Invasive Species
• Public Lands
• Leadership Development
• Outreach

Any conservation district official or conservation district employee with expertise in any of these areas and an interest in leadership opportunities at the national level are encouraged to fill out this interest form. Please contact NACD at info@nacdnet.org with any questions.

JOIN Q&A SESSION FOR NACD'S FARMER TO FARMER GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Interested in applying for the Historically Underserved Farmer-to-Farmer Outreach grant opportunity and have questions for NACD staff? Attend our general Q&A session on April 11 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Register at the link below! In the meantime, see more information about this grant opportunity, including recordings of our applicant information webinars, on NACD's website. Please remember that pre-applications are due on April 21, 2023.

Questions can be directed to Chloe Hundelt, NACD Grants Specialist, at chloe-hundelt@nacdnet.org. 

U.S. HOUSE AG COMMITTEE HOLDS FARM BILL LISTENING SESSION IN TEXAS

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee hosted a farm bill listening session Wednesday, March 15, in Waco, Texas. This was the only current opportunity for in-person comments in Texas and the Texas Association of Conservation Districts (TACD) was there to participate.

Prior to the listening session, Texas Farm Bureau held a roundtable discussion for over 20 ag organizations and members of the House Ag Committee that came together to discuss priorities for Texas producers in the upcoming farm bill. TACD President Kent Batman addressed Committee Members on three priorities important to conservation districts during the lunch. First, the importance of locally-led conservation programs, then Batman thanked the board for the current TSP program and conveyed the importance and benefits of the program within the state, and finally praised the watershed program and the benefits seen by all Texans from the implementation of the program.

House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson presided alongside hosting Rep. Pete Sessions, Vice Chair Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Rep. Jim Baird, Rep. Ronny Jackson, Chairman of the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry subcommittee, Rep. Tracey Mann. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval was present as well. The members participating listening session heard feedback on producers Farm Bill priorities, nutrition, inflation, and SNAP benefits, among other homegrown solutions to problems and issues facing ag producers in Texas.

As congress forms another Farm Bill, it’s important that all producers have the opportunity to be heard by lawmakers on the important issues effecting food and fiber production, and the natural, regulatory, and open market environments they face.

SPOKANE CD ADDRESSES EDUCATION, INEQUALITY, AND FIRE MITIGATION THROUGH URBAN FORESTRY INITIATIVES

The importance of urban forests is becoming increasingly apparent. Lowered heat island effect, greater well-being, and lower utility costs just being a few advantages. The Spokane Conservation District (SCD) in Washington has been involved in forestry work for decades but began increasing its scope to include urban forest issues about 16 years ago. Its wide range of projects addresses various topics, including education, inequality, and fire mitigation.

Nestled on 50 acres of what used to be a quarry, SCD is creating a conservation park on the property. It hosts events on the sites and operates a holding nursery that supplies larger trees for its urban planning projects. “It’s really nice if you’re going to be spreading the gospel about trees to actually have trees,” joked Garth Davis, Forestry Program Manager for SCD. Davis has been the driving force behind SCD’s urban forestry efforts and has forged partnerships not just in Washington but in Idaho as well.

Davis says the biggest accomplishment of the urban forestry work has been increased recognition for the district. He also enjoys their positive impact in other counties and states, as SCD can offer its services to surrounding communities to help them with their urban forests. He iterated the importance of community buy-in, stating the need to make and maintain strong partnerships within the county and city you are working in and, in some cases, the neighborhoods themselves.

“Think outside the box,” says Davis, when asked about advice for other conservation districts interested in urban forestry. “More and more funding is becoming available for conservation districts, but it’s not a traditional conservation district service. Get in touch with the urban foresters and arborists in your county. See what’s available and asses what your community needs are”.

Read the full story on NACD's blog and keep up with everything forestry related by subscribing to the Forestry Notes newsletter.