NACD’s 78th Annual Meeting kicked off this weekend under sunny skies in San Diego, California. On Saturday, participants attended meetings hosted by partners that included the National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) and the National Conservation Foundation (NCF). During yesterday’s first meeting of NACD’s Board of Directors, board members heard updates from NACD President Kim LaFleur and CEO Jeremy Peters and a financial report from Secretary-Treasurer Mark Masters. The Board of Directors also listened to a presentation on running effective meetings and listened to a panel discussion on government affairs. The Board will continue to meet throughout the week.
Saturday wrapped up with an evening dinner and networking on the USS Midway hosted by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts and sponsored by Warner Ranch.
Check out the 2024 Annual Meeting Newsroom for access to photos, press releases, and presentations as they become available throughout the meeting.
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NACD LEADERSHIP SUPPORT HABITAT RESTORATION
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On Friday morning, the NACD staff, officers, and Executive Board joined the San Diego Audubon Society to kick off the Annual Meeting with a group service project. This volunteer effort was coordinated by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County and consisted of invasive species removal in California Least Tern nesting habitat. Thank you to all those who were involved in helping us start our Annual Meeting with a wonderful opportunity to support this endangered species.
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NACD WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
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New members and alternates to NACD’s Board of Directors convened yesterday for an orientation session. NACD welcomes all new members and alternates to NACD’s board and the following individuals joining us in San Diego this week!
- North Central – Ethan Truax (IN), Donald Elsbernd (IA), Randy Smith (MN), David Hutsell (MO)
- Northeast – Ronald Rohall (PA)
- Northern Plains – Karl Christians (MT)
- Pacific - Molly Lagai (AS), Glenn Manglona (CNMI), Joseph Santos (GU)
- South Central - Phil Campbell (OK)
- Southeast – Dan Bennett (GA), Craig Myers (NC)
- Southwest – Lisa Runyan (NM), Mark Damron (NV)
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CALIFORNIA HOSTS EVENT ON USS MIDWAY
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Last night, NACD and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts hosted a welcome reception on the USS Midway.
The USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. It is now a museum with an extensive collection of aircraft built in Southern California. Attendees explored the ship and its flight deck, center island, and hangar bays while networking with colleagues from across the country.
The event was sponsored by Bob Warner, owner of Warner Ranch, who had a renowned career with the U.S. Air Force. After graduating from Colorado State University in 1959 and completing his pilot training, he served in active duty with the 3rd Air Transport Squadron at Charleston AFB. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel in 1990 after 31 years of service.
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- Bob Warner from Warner Ranch will host an inspirational session from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in Osprey.
- The Next Generation Leadership Institute will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Pelican.
- The NARCDC will hold their board meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Sandpiper AB.
- There will be three meet and greets from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- NACD Grantees (TA, Perimeter Fencing and others) - Coral 1
- Urban Grantees - Coral 2
- Soil Health Champions - Coral 3
- The NCF-Envirothon Operating Committee will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Coral 4.
- NACD Committee meetings will run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Region meetings will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- The NACD Board of Directors will convene for their meeting from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Silver Pearl 1.
- ACED will conduct their business meeting from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Driftwood.
- The First Timers Session, sponsored by Agri-Drain, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Shorebreak.
- The day will conclude with a Showcase Welcome Reception, sponsored by Farm Credit Council, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Silver Pearl 2/3.
Additional information can be found in the programs and meeting app.
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Conservation Showcase Opens Later Today
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The Conservation Showcase opens this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. ahead of the Welcome Reception at 5:00 p.m. in Silver Pearl 2/3. Stop by to learn about and visit with our 20+ exhibitors!
While there, check out the NACD President’s Association's Silent Auction. Also, be sure to drop off any donations for the NCF-Auction by 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, and Pack-a-Book at their booths.
Find all exhibitors here.
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Don't forget to drop off your books for the 15th annual Pack-A-Book drive! Bring books by NACD's Stewardship and Education booth in the Conservation Showcase Hall. All donated books will be distributed to nine local elementary schools by our partners at the Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Greater San Diego County, Mission RCD, and Upper San Luis Rey RCD.
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Download the
Event Mobile App
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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.
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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.
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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!
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