This Thursday, August 31, NACD will host a webinar at 4:00 p.m. ET on Zoom to share more information about the association's recent call for concept papers and opportunities for Climate-Smart Commodities funding. The webinar will discuss the funding pools available, the kinds of projects that fit within each funding pool, and provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

NACD is seeking projects that foster private-public partnerships, scale implementation of climate-smart practices, advance Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV), and support producer participation in resulting markets.

Concept papers are due on October 13, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET and must be submitted through this online form.

Visit NACD's Climate-Smart Commodities webpage for more information.

FINAL CALL FOR NACD AWARD NOMINATIONS

It's not too late to nominate outstanding conservationists for the 2023 NACD Awards! Nominations for the Distinguished Service Award and the Friend of Conservation Award are being accepted through Thursday, August 31. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation.

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. Contact awards@email.nacdnet.org with any questions.

NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTED IN CONSERVATION COFFEE SERIES

On August 10, the NACD District and Partner Relations Committee hosted their first in a series of “Conservation Coffees” to highlight the good work that conservation districts, associations, or partners are doing in their various corners of the country. Angela Rosol of Iowa volunteered to give the first chat about her experience with the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI).

Angela is a member of the 2023 cohort, and she described her experience in the program as eye-opening and very worthwhile. Her fellow members are a great resource, and an unexpected source of camaraderie and guidance through each other’s leadership journeys both within the program and at home. The guest presenters are top notch and the program offers a quick-start to understanding the national scope of conservation partnerships and programs. Much of the program is applicable even at home or in her day job. Rewatch the presentation here.

NGLI will be opening an application period for the 2024 cohort THIS FRIDAY September 1! If you or someone you know is interested in participating please reach out to Program Manager Aubrey Evans at aubrey-evans@nacdnet.org.

For more information on the National Conservation Foundation’s Next Generation Leadership Institute, please see the NGLI website.

For more information on the District and Partner Relations Committee or their Conservation Coffee series, please see the NACD website, or reach out to one of the staff leads or committee chairs.

WHATS UP IN WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Last week, the House Freedom Caucus vowed to withhold support for a continuing resolution to maintain funding for the federal government in fiscal year 2024 unless several policy demands are met. This impasse over federal funding legislation increases the chances of government shutdown, which will occur if Congress is unable to pass federal funding bills or a continuing resolution before October 1.

A government shutdown would affect the ability of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to administer programs and funding. NACD will continue to share updates and information as the situation progresses. Delays in passing federal spending bills will also affect Congress’ development and consideration of the upcoming farm bill. NACD is continuing to work with members of Congress and our partners to advocate for our 2023 farm bill requests.

LAST CHANCE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR HUGH HAMMOND BENNET AWARDS

The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) are seeking nominations for the 2023 Hugh Hammond Bennett (HHB) Awards for Conservation Excellence! The deadline to submit nominations is this Friday, September 1!

Nominations are sought from all of NACD's regions for the Producer and Planner award categories. Those interested in making a nomination should coordinate their nomination with their respective NCPP state or territory partnership leaders, NRCS state conservationist, conservation district state association, state resource conservation and development council association, state conservation district employees' association, and state conservation agency leadership.

More information can be found on the NCPP website. We encourage you to work with partners and nominate conservation leaders in your community to be recognized for their work!

INNOVATION IN CONSERVATION: CARLTON SWCD'S BIOCHAR PROJECT

Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) in Minnesota recently announced a new project trialing the application of biochar with a USDA Forest Service Wood Innovation grant. Brad Matlack, District Manager of CSWCD is a dedicated conservationist with over two decades of experience under his belt. Over the last several years, he’s spearheaded a movement that's turning biomass waste into a valuable resource and improving soil health through biochar.

Biochar, a stable carbon-rich solid, is derived from organic waste material or biomass that undergoes partial combustion with limited oxygen. Biochar has served as a soil amendment for years and more recently, foresters and agricultural producers have taken an interest in its properties and potential benefits. The characteristics of biochar vary depending on its source material and the temperature at which it's produced. As a soil amendment, biochar can be utilized independently or mixed with other soil amendments to tackle a wide range of environmental, agricultural, and forestry challenges.

Carlton SWCD covers an area where more than 50% of the land base is forested, making forest conservation a top priority. Collaborating extensively with forest landowners, Brad noticed a common challenge-the substantial amount of low-quality biomass left after conservation practices. This waste material posed a significant hurdle to effective land management. By utilizing that biomass to create biochar, a challenge becomes an opportunity to improve soil health and repurpose biomass without simply burning it. To create high-quality biochar, the process demands heating at around 1,000 degrees Celsius. This approach allows for the utilization of pest-infested wood, invasive species like buckthorn, and even diseased trees transforming otherwise wasted biomass into a soil amendment.

Through the Wood Innovations grant with Dovetail Partners and Minnesota Power, the Northern Minnesota Closed Cycle Biochar Pilot will work to showcase the soil health benefits of biochar application. The project will compare biochar application methods while comparing biochar from commercial and smaller-scale production methods. The project's at-scale demonstration will lay the foundation for a circular economy in northern Minnesota which can create a sustainable, long-term outlet for wildfire fuels in the Superior National Forest region.

Read more on NACD's blog and in this month's Forestry Notes.