Early bird registration for NACD's 2023 Summer Meeting closes THIS FRIDAY! Hosted in partnership with the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, the 2023 Summer Meeting will take place in Bismarck, North Dakota from July 15-19, 2023. You don't want to miss these networking opportunities, workshops, or tours!

Sign up to attend before June 23, 2023 to save up to $100 on registration costs with this early-bird special!

Hotel reservations at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center under the NACD block must also be reserved by June 23 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Reservations can be made by calling 701-660-8063 and identifying yourself with the National Association of Conservation Districts.

Learn more about the meeting, agenda, tours, speakers, and how to register and reserve your hotel room on NACD's website. Download the event app, Sched, to create a personalized agenda here.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

On Thursday, June 22, at 10:30 a.m. ET the Senate Appropriations Committee will consider a bill to fund USDA and FDA in fiscal year 2024. You can watch using this link. Last week, the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee passed a bill that would cut more than $8 billion from USDA’s budget and reduce funding for NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA). NACD led a coalition letter requesting increased support for CTA in FY24 and will continue working with partners and lawmakers in both chambers to advocate for this funding.

On Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it is extending the public comment period for the agency’s proposed Public Lands Rule focused on including conservation in the multiple use framework by 15 days. Comments are now due by July 5, 2023. NACD is working with our members and partner organizations to develop comments. Please email any suggestions or input to NACD’s Natural Resource Policy Specialist, Libby Wawro at libby-wawro@nacdnet.org.

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2023 NACD SERVICE AWARDS

The 2023 NACD Awards Season begins with opening nominations for the Distinguished Service Award and the Friend of Conservation Award. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation.

Winners will receive complimentary registration to the NACD Annual Meeting in February 2024, in San Diego, CA and two tickets to the Appreciation Banquet where they will be honored. Their story and achievements will also be highlighted on the NACD website and in various NACD national publications.

The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association, a conservation district, or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources. Nominees can be involved with districts or the association at any level, including past NACD officers. Nominations are also accepted for individuals posthumously and may be submitted by any individual, organization, agency, or conservation district.

The NACD Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources. Any individual, business, organization, or agency that is not directly associated with conservation districts at the local, state, or national level is eligible to receive this award. Nominations can be made by any individual, organization, agency or conservation district. 

All nominees will receive an Honorable Mention Certificate and a copy of the nomination text that was submitted on their behalf. To nominate someone, please visit the NACD Awards webpage to download the nomination form. The deadline to submit your nomination is August 31, 2023.

To view past NACD award recipients, please visit the NACD’s webpage for Awards Archives. Contact awards@email.nacdnet.org with any questions.

CELEBRATE POLLINATOR WEEK

Pollinator Week is this week, June, 19-25, 2023! This annual celebration in support of pollinator health was initiated and is managed by the Pollinator Partnership. This week is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Find more information, including activity ideas and media toolkits on the Partnership's website. Follow along on NACD's social media to see our "Did You Know" pollinator facts throughout the week!