Welcome to the NACD Southwest Region newsletter, delivering announcements and news to NACD Board Members, conservation districts, state associations and agency leadership across the Southwest. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might be interested - they can subscribe to the mailing list on the Southwest Region Webpage.
Josh Smith, Vice Chair of the Southwest Region, NM
Jim Berlier, Executive Board Member of the Southwest Region, NM
Please reach out to Rachel with questions and newsletter content ideas.
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Something about the fall months just fly by! Maybe because it’s my favorite time of year (mainly because of hunting season), but it always seems like this time of year is gone nearly as fast as it comes. I hope all of you have been able to enjoy this golden month in some form or fashion.
There are two grants I want to put on your radar. The first is the Friends of NACD Grant Program. Friends of NACD are individuals who support the nation’s nearly 3,000 conservation districts through cash donations to NACD. One of the great things about this program is that these donations fund the Friends of NACD Grants. These grants have a $2,500 limit, and districts that apply must have applied dues at any level during the previous fiscal year. Projects must contribute to the mission of NACD while expanding the district’s operations and capacity into new areas. Funds can be used for a wide variety of projects (see past projects and learn more here). Applications are open now and are due by November 30th.
The second grant is the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Program. Before I go any further, I’m stressing the fact that just because it has the word ‘urban’ in the name doesn’t mean it’s only available for sprawling metropolises. In fact, there is no population requirement. It only means that these grant projects have a community focus. Past project included supporting community farming and gardening programs, expanding outreach capacities to current and underrepresented clients, and planning operations to extend growing seasons via hoop houses and other practices. More examples of previous grants can be found here. This grant isn’t officially open yet, but the RFP will be forthcoming in a couple of weeks. More details will be available online and in the eResource soon. Rest assured, I’ll put more details in next month’s newsletter.
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My husband and I celebrated our ten-year anniversary a few weeks ago. We decided to celebrate in true Theler fashion by spending 6 days in our canoe floating the Stillwater section of the Green River in Utah (a decision we second-guessed later for forthcoming reasons). The first few days were absolutely glorious. Perfect weather, lovely scenery, and we only saw two other people. The fifth night started off in the same fashion, but by about 2 AM we were both officially having the worst night in a tent either of us have ever had. Sixty mph winds that blew at least a quarter inch of sand into our tent, torrential rain, boulders sliding down the cliff face we were camped at the base of and lighting so close the hairs on my arms stood up. It continued to rain the last day and night, but at least the more violent bits of the storms had ceased. I was grateful for the rain, as I know Utah is in desperate need of it, but why does it always seem to come when I’m in my canoe? Although, unlike our canoe trip in April, we at least had enough snacks.
As always, feel free to reach out if you need anything!
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The Friends of NACD program enables individuals and organizations to support the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts through cash donations to NACD. As Friends of NACD, donations are made at different levels, with each level entitling members to specific benefits. These donation support the Friends of NACD District Grants Program. Eight grants will be awarded this year, up to $2,500 each.
Districts must apply by November 30th. The full RFP can be viewed here.
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2021 REPI Request for Proposals |
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Since 2003, the REPI (Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration) Program has helped fund cost-sharing partnerships between the Military Services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force), private conservation organizations, and state and local governments to maintain compatible land uses around DoD installations and ranges in support of military readiness.
The REPI Program's primary mission is to remove or avoid land-use conflicts near installations, address regulatory restrictions and improve resilience to current or projected climate change impacts that may inhibit military training, testing and operations. Making key mission capabilities of strategic importance more resilient to climate change and severe weather events as well as continue to support projects that promote land conservation, improvement, or management activities that limit incompatible development in the vicinity of DoD installations and ranges.
Pre-proposals are due November 22nd. The full RFP can be viewed here.
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Utah to Host Soil Health in the West Conference |
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Working Lands, Working Communities |
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The Western Governors Association has a new initiative called Working Lands, Working Communities, which examines relationships between western communities, state and federal land resource management entities, as well as the role that local communities play in successful land planning and management processes. WGA has hosted two workshops so far based on this concept, one in Utah and one in Colorado. The recordings of the workshops can be viewed here.
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Early Bird Registration Open for NACD Annual Meeting |
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Early bird registration for NACD's Annual Meeting (February 12-16) in Orlando, Florida is now open through December 16th! More information can be found here.
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NCF Now Accepting Donations for 2022 Auction |
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The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is also now accepting donations for the 2022 Auction. To donate an item, contact Keith Owen, NACD South Central Region Representative at keith-owen@nacdnet.org and provide the following details.
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The individual or organization donating the item. Please include a contact name, phone number and email address.
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A description of the item to include in Auction marketing materials.
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The estimated value of the item.
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A high resolution digital photo of the item.
Those wishing to donate to the auction are asked to hold onto their items for now. NACD staff will provide guidance for shipping later. The deadline for donations is January 7, 2022.
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Webinar on Fighting Forest Invasives |
The NACD Forestry Resource Policy Group‘s (RPG) fall webinar series will be held on Nov. 18. Two hour-long webinars are planned. Both will feature multiple presenters and a Q&A with attendees. Sessions are open to all conservation district staff and forestry partners interested in attending.
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Sublette County Conservation District in Pinedale, WY is hiring a Watershed Specialist! The full job description can be viewed here.
The Utah Association of Conservation Districts is looking for a Partner Liaison. The full job description can be found here.
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April 22 - May 1, 2022 - 67th Annual Stewardship Week: "Healthy Soil: Healthy Life"
July 15-17, 2022 - 2022 NACD Summer Meeting | San Juan, P.R.
July 24-30, 2022 - NCF - Envirothon | Oxford, Ohio
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Jan. 7, 2022 - Deadline to donate an item to the 2022 NCF Auction
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