Yesterday, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small and Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie announced the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) establishment of a new Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC).
The WLCC aims to provide skills-based training for careers in conservation. Its establishment is reflective of the critical role of voluntary, incentive-based conservation in meeting our climate goals.
“USDA is proud to partner with the National Association of Conservation Districts in the development and implementation of the Working Lands Climate Corps,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “This new program will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people and help deliver climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers, ranchers, and producers across the United States now and in the future.”
Conservation districts have a long history of partnership with USDA, NRCS, and the original Civilian Conservation Corps. Together, we share nearly a century of history tackling our country’s most pressing conservation needs through a voluntary, locally led, incentive-based approach.
“Climate change is this generation’s Dust Bowl, presenting us with new challenges to agriculture, ranching, and forestry,” said NACD President Kim LaFleur. “Preparing the next generation of conservationists to tackle issues such as soil erosion, drought, water quality and quantity, biodiversity, and habitat restoration is critical. NACD is pleased to collaborate with the USDA and NRCS to provide training support to the host sites that will be providing day-to-day mentorship, on-the-job training, and job experiences for a new generation launching careers in conservation.”
|
MONDAY OPENS WITH GENERAL SESSION
|
The first general session of NACD's 2024 Annual Meeting opened on Monday, February 12. NACD Immediate Past President Michael Crowder presided over the session, welcoming members, partners, and all attendees to San Diego. Each state and territory were welcomed with the Parade of States and Territories. This procession is a tribute to the 50 states and seven territories that our conservation districts and state and territory association members serve year-round. California Department of Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross provided welcome remarks, sharing what makes California a unique place to visit and to work on natural resources management.
NACD President Kim LaFleur spoke to attendees about the progress the association has made during her presidency. NACD Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters discussed the meeting’s theme of “Operation Conservation” and the opportunities and challenges on the horizon for conservation districts. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby reviewed the past year for NRCS, highlighting conservation activities supported by the Western Water and Working Lands Framework, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Farm Bill.
Monday's general session ended with Erik Wahl, a San Diego based graffiti artist, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. Erik painted three canvases while giving an inspiring keynote address about the art of leadership. Wahl's artwork was auctioned off to benefit the National Conservation Foundation.
|
CONSERVATION LEADERS RECOGNIZED AT LUNCHEON
|
States, districts, and individuals who have made remarkable contributions to NACD and their communities were recognized during the 2024 Leadership Luncheon on Monday, February 12.
NACD Secretary-Treasurer Mark Masters announced states and territories who achieved 100 percent district participation in fiscal year 2023. He also recognized the top 10 contributing states in fiscal year 2023, with the top three states being Alabama, North Carolina, and Minnesota.
The 2023 cohort of the National Conservation Foundation’s (NCF) Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) graduated at yesterday’s luncheon. The NGLI program prepares cohort members for conservation leadership roles. The 2023 cohort members that graduated from the yearlong program, having completed the curriculum and a capstone project to benefit their home districts, are: Daryl Donohue of Kansas; Donald Stephens of Oklahoma; Angela Rosol of Iowa; Dawn Salcito of Arizona; Craig Myer of North Carolina; Eric Hanson of South Dakota; and Michael Stewart of South Carolina.
NACD appreciates everything that conservation districts, state and territory associations, and individuals in communities across the nation do to support conservation.
|
OVER $100,000 RAISED FOR NCF AT THE LIVE AUCTION
|
The 2024 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Live Auction was held last night to support Envirothon, the Next Generation Leadership Institute, and other conservation education programs.
Thank you to all who donated to last night’s auction. The success of the auction is made possible by your contributions.
The auction raised $107,450 in support of NCF’s mission. Thank you to all who participated!
|
-
The day will start with a showcase and coffee hour, sponsored by the Noble Research Institute, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in Silver Pearl 2/3.
- The General Session is from 8:45 to 11:00 a.m. in the Pacific Jewel Ballroom.
- Following the General Session there will be a film screening and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Pacific Jewel Ballroom.
- NACD’s Board will convene at 1:30 p.m. in Silver Pearl 1.
- Breakout sessions will run in 40-minute sessions and one 90-minute session in Coral 1 – 4 between 1:30 and 5:00 p.m.
- The first round of breakout sessions will be from 1:30 to 2:10 p.m. in Coral 1 – 4.
- The Sentinel Landscape meet and greet will kick off at 1:30 p.m. in Coral 5.
- The NCF Board of Trustees meeting will be in Driftwood 2 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
-
NCDEA’s Board will meet from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Sandpiper AB.
- The D.O.D. Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program will hold office hours from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Coral 5.
- The Banquet Happy Hour will start at 6:00 p.m. in the Pacific Jewel Foyer before the banquet begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. in the Pacific Jewel Ballroom.
Additional information can be found in the programs and meeting app.
|
|
Eight Conservation Districts Awarded Friends of NACD District Grants
|
Yesterday NACD announced the 2024 recipients of the Friends of NACD District Grants Program during the Leadership Luncheon.
The Friends of NACD District Grants Program supports locally led conservation and advances climate resilience, education and youth development, and food security. This year, eight conservation districts will receive $2,500 to implement community-based projects.
Thank you to the generous Friends of NACD who make this program possible.
Learn more about the program and see the full list of recipients in this NACD news release.
|
Congratulations 2023 NACD Photo and Poster Winners!
|
Yesterday, attendees at the Leadership Luncheon enjoyed the winning photos and posters from the 2023 NACD Photo and Poster contest while eating lunch.
The photo contest attracted entries of images reflecting the themes of “Agriculture and Conservation Across America,” “Close-Up Conservation,” “Conservation in Action,” and “Conservation Practices.”
The poster contest, open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, celebrated the 2023 NACD Stewardship Week theme, “One Water.”
|
Complete a Survey on Reforestation
|
Complete this voluntary survey to help the NACD and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) better understand conservation district and district partner involvement in reforestation.
The survey will help NACD and its partners refine programs, advocate for funding, and inform technical assistance for reforestation on private lands.
|
Let us know how we’re doing!
Share your 2024 NACD Annual Meeting feedback with us to help us celebrate what we did well and improve upon the event in future years.
|
Download the
Event Mobile App
|
Don't miss the mobile Annual Meeting app hosted by Sched! The app allows you to see the full event schedule, session descriptions, speaker profiles, and more. After you've set up a public profile, you will be able to create a personalized schedule and you can message and network with other attendees right from the app.
To download it, you can scan or click the QR code, or download the Sched app (Apple) (Android) and search NACD to join the event.
|
Have you been taking photos during the 2024 NACD Annual Meeting? We want to see them!
Email them to us at nacdnews@nacdnet.org, tag us at @NACDConserve, or use #NACD2024 on social media to submit your photos to our Smiling Faces Reel. Some photos will be displayed during Tuesday evening's Appreciation Banquet!
Check out all of our photos from the week here.
|
Questions?
The registration desk is open in the Seascape Foyer from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today. Stop by for questions, tickets, and more!
|
|