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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November was a month of annual meetings! Five of the six states in the Southwest Region have their annual meetings in November. While covid affected many of your plans, I did my best to at least sit in virtually at all your events. Thank you to Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico for allowing me to attend your conferences in some form or fashion! I appreciate you and all your hard work for conservation. I’m learning that I’ll need to adjust my historic plan of hunting the first two weeks of November, but October hunting usually lends itself to more pleasant hunting weather anyway if not the always the rut (for deer at least).
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already time to start thinking about NACD’s annual meeting in February! Early bird registration closes on December 15 and after that prices go up substantially, so I encourage you to make that deadline if you can. I also want to remind everyone of the first-timer scholarships. Only one person per state or territory may receive a scholarship. This is a great opportunity to send someone from your state who wouldn’t normally be able to attend. Scholarships are on a first-come first-serve basis and are limited to the first 20, so get those applications in quickly! Once a state association selects a scholarship recipient in cooperation with their NACD board member, send the recipient’s name and email address to NACD Director of Membership Terrence Curtiss at terrence-curtiss@nacdnet.org to complete their registration.
As I mentioned last month, the Urban and Community Grant request for proposals in now open and doesn’t close until January 31, 2022. This gives you quite a bit of time to prepare your application. There's an informational session on December 14 (more info below) and I’m here if you want help applying or just want to bounce project ideas off me. The full RFP can be viewed here, and I highly encourage you to check out all the past projects on this cool story map if you’re looking for some inspiration.
Wishing you all a happy holiday season, and looking forward to seeing you in February!
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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, Director of Education, 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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USDA Provides a Post-Fire Toolkit for the SW |
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USDA has put together resources for communities and landowners recovering from wildfire in the Southwest. Find relevant information, helpful links and FAQs pertaining to issues that communities should be concerned about post-fire. |
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Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant |
The FY 2022 application period for the UAC grants is now open through January 31, 2022. Only conservation districts as defined by state statute are eligible to apply for these grants.
Review the full request for proposals(RFP) for details. NACD leadership and staff will host an information session on Dec. 14, 4:00 PM Eastern via zoom to answer any questions. Please review all application materials before the session; register online to receive the link to attend.
If you still have questions after reviewing the RFP, FAQs, and reporting instructions, please contact Ariel Rivers, PhD, ariel-rivers@nacdnet.org, NACD’s staff lead on urban conservation programs.
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December Urban and Community Webinar- Collaborative Invasive Species Management |
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This month's Urban and Community Webinar will feature Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District in Indiana. Learn about the cooperative invasive species management area they have developed over the last three years in partnership with the NRCS and the Southern Indiana Cooperative Invasive Management.
The webinar takes place December 16th at 2:00 p.m. Mountain.
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NACD's 67th Stewardship Week - Healthy Soil: Healthy Life |
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This year's Stewardship Week will be held April 24 – May 1, 2022 with the theme “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life.” Learn more and download the free educational materials here.
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Early Bird Registration Open for NACD Annual Meeting and First-Timer Scholarships Available |
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Early bird registration for NACD's Annual Meeting (February 12-16) in Orlando, Florida is now open through December 16! More information can be found here.
If you haven’t attended an NACD annual meeting in the past, you may be eligible for a first-timer scholarship! Thanks to the generous support of AgriDrain Corporation, NACD will once again be offering selected first-timers complimentary meeting registration and a ticket to Tuesday night’s Appreciation Banquet.
Only one person per state or territory may receive a scholarship, and chosen individuals must stay in the NACD room block at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – Disney Springs. Scholarships are limited to the first 20 individuals submitted so don’t delay!
Once a state or territory association selects a scholarship recipient in cooperation with their NACD board member, they are asked to send the recipient’s name and email address to NACD Director of Membership Terrence Curtiss at terrence-curtiss@nacdnet.org before Jan 21, 2022 to complete their registration.
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Utah to Host Soil Health in the West Conference |
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Southwest Agroforestry Action Network Meeting |
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The Southwest Agroforestry Action Network (SWAAN) is hosting it's second annual conference in Moab, Utah, May 10-12, 2022. The conference will include presentations and a field trip.
Anyone is welcome to attend, including agricultural producers, tribes, ranchers, community gardeners and orchardists, permaculturists, representatives of government agencies, cooperative extension, universities, and people interested in community food forests and forest-agricultural activities.
WHO IS SWAAN? The Southwest Agroforestry Action Network (SWAAN) mission: Helping people integrate trees, crops, and animals to regenerate Southwest landscapes. SWAAN’s scope of interest is forest agricultural activities on tribal, state, federal, county, municipal and private lands in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah.
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NACD Comments on WOTUS Definition |
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Earlier this year, the Biden Administration announced its intent to re-write the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definition. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have already begun their rulemaking process for re-writing this rule.
There have been opportunities for stakeholders to engage throughout the rulemaking process. At the end of Sept., NACD was able to host a webinar with EPA staff to hear updates on WOTUS. At the beginning of this month, NACD submitted comments outlining where we stand when defining waters of the United States.
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NACD Submits Comments on Proposed NEPA Rule Changes |
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On October 7, 2021, The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed modifications to its regulations for implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to restore regulatory provisions that were in effect prior to 2020. NEPA was passed by Congress in 1970 and guides how the federal government assesses the environmental impacts of federal actions.
Changes were previously made to NEPA regulations in July of 2020 and took effect that September. NACD submitted comments regarding that rule change detailing the importance of local coordination and clarification of regulations. The 2021 proposed changes address agency procedures for implementing NEPA regulations, the definition of “effects” and the propose and need of proposed actions. NACD submitted comments on November 22, 2021, outlining where the organization stands on NEPA regulations.
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Video Showcases Conservation Leader's Efforts |
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Many of you have worked with Bob Warner from Colorado. He's been active in conservation, both on a local and national level, for many years. In November, the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, along with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and NRCS, honored Bob at their annual meeting. They put together a meaningful video that showcases Bob's life of public service and conservation - both past and present.
The video can be viewed 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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For recognition at the Annual Meeting. NACD now requires checklists to be re-submitted every two years for recognition. Find the link to the checklist here.
Dec. 31, 2021 - Resolutions due to NACD
Jan. 7, 2022 - Deadline to donate an item to the 2022 NCF Auction
The NCF Auction supports Envirothon, the Next Generation Leadership Institute and other conservation education programs. To donate an item, visit this webpage for instructions.
Jan. 21, 2022 – Deadline to reserve a room at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Disney Springs Resort
To reserve your room, click here, or call 407-827-4000 and say you’re with NACD.
Jan. 31, 2022 - Urban and Community Grant application deadline
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