A new slate of NACD Officers and Executive Board members were elected yesterday and sworn in at last night’s Appreciation Banquet.

Gary Blair was sworn in as NACD President. Blair has served NACD in a number of roles since 2015, including as a board member, executive board member, and as an officer in the roles of Secretary-Treasurer and First Vice President. Based in Starkville, Mississippi, he also serves on the board of his local conservation district, the Carroll County Soil and Water Conservation District. Blair is a former president of the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts and Mississippi Forestry Association.

The NACD Board of Directors also elected the following officers. Mark Masters of Georgia was elected as First Vice President. Ryan Britt of Missouri was elected as Second Vice President. Karl Jensen South Dakota was elected to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. Immediate Past President Kim LaFleur of Massachusetts and NACD Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters round out the national association’s officer team.

LEADERS IN CONSERVATION HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARDS

Last night's Annual Meeting Appreciation Banquet recognized some remarkable leaders in conservation across the nation. 

The Hugh Hammond Bennett (HHB) Awards, which honor one national planner and one producer who demonstrate commitment to conservation planning and soil health were presented to Brandon Bing from Texas and Shaun and Linda Gillilland from New York. They were presented the HHB planner and HHB producer award, respectively. 

Jim Berlier from Estancia, New Mexico was presented with the Olin Sims Award, recognizing his efforts in private lands conservation. NACD’s Friend of Conservation Award was bestowed upon Dr. Rod Williams and Nick Burgmeier from Lafayette, Indiana for their outstanding contributions to conserving the nation’s natural resources. Stephen A. Coleman of Frankfort, Kentucky, was honored with the NACD Distinguished Service Award for his work in conservation and management of our nation’s natural resources. 

The National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) presented their Outstanding Conservation District Board Member Award to Vincent Cordova of Guadalupe Soil and Water Conservation District in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, and their Outstanding Conservation District Professional Award to Lynn Pilewski of Greenville Soil and Water Conservation District in Greenville, South Carolina. 

NRCS Acting Chief Louis Aspey and NACD President Kim LaFleur presented the Harford Soil Conservation District from Maryland with the NACD and NRCS Earth Team Award. 

Finally, NACD President Kim LaFleur honored NACD First Vice President Mark Masters with the President’s Award for his support and friendship over the past two years of her presidency.

Find more information about this year's award winners in NACD's newsroom.

ATTENDEES ENJOY VARIETY OF BREAKOUT SESSIONS

This week, conservation professionals from across the country have shared innovative ideas, success stories, project challenges and solutions, and more with one another through a series of breakout sessions. Covering topics from community outreach to soil health, these sessions are some of the most popular events at Annual Meeting.

The Southern Guam SWCD spoke about their recent "Forging Future-Ready Conservation Districts" event, empowering Pacific Island conservation districts to address regional challenges through strategic capacity building. They shared how the event cultivated leadership, enhanced collaboration, and promoted innovative conservation solutions tailored to island contexts.

The Lower Platte North NRD and Greenville County SWCD both spoke about creative outreach events as methods for engaging new audiences and educating their communities. Whether it was yoga in the park, bees and brews, a seed library, or art classes, these districts shared how you can combine education, outreach, and fun in your programs!

Join more breakout sessions today, covering topics like leveraging partnerships and Field to Market tools, how to use social media to increase attendance at district events, and increasing nutrition in older populations through specialty crop programs.

TODAY'S EVENTS

Looking to start your day with a hearty breakfast? Head to the Salt Republic from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. to enjoy a discounted breakfast buffet. Just wear your registration badge to get the discounted rate of $20 per person.

• The NACD Board of Directors will convene for their final meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Salt Lake C.
• The final round of breakout sessions for Annual Meeting this year will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. in Salt Lake A, D, & E.
• Then, head to the Regency Foyer for a 30-minute coffee break and networking opportunity before the Closing General Session in the Regency Ballroom from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  
• Three tours will depart from the hotel this afternoon at 12:30 p.m. Find more details about the offsite tours on NACD's website.
• The Association of Conservation Executive Directors (ACED) Board is convening from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Park City.
• The National Conservation Planning Partnership Leadership Team Meeting will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Traverse.
  

Additional information can be found in the online agenda. Check the Sched meeting app for the latest updates.