Registration for the 2022 NACD Summer Meeting is now open through June 24, 2022! Hosted in partnership with the Puerto Rico Association of Soil Conservation Districts, this year's meeting will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico from July 16-19 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel.
The Summer Meeting agenda includes a full NACD board meeting and is packed with opportunities for attendees to network and hear from a variety of conservation speakers. It will also give you the chance to explore the beautiful island of Puerto Rico through a selection of group tours, including the El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service.
The Southeast Region Meeting will also take place during the Summer Meeting at the Caribe Hilton Hotel from July 17-19.
Don't delay! Take advantage of visiting one of the country's tropical island territories and reserve your spot for the Summer Meeting today. You don't even need a passport!
Registration and hotel information and costs can be found on the NACD website. |
2023 FARM BILL PRINCIPLES ADOPTED BY NACD FARM BILL TASK FORCE |
The recently established NACD Farm Bill Task Force has developed policy priorities for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. The Task Force, led by NACD President Michael Crowder, includes 15 NACD leaders who represent diverse regions and interests across the country. The Task Force has convened twice this year and is scheduled to meet twice monthly to review existing programs and develop policy recommendations.
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HEALTHY SOIL, HEALTHY LIFE! STEWARSHIP WEEK IS SOON |
NACD's 67th annual Stewardship Week is less than a week away!
There is still time to download our free “Healthy Life, Healthy Soil” materials. Visit our NACD Marketplace to access our free, downloadable education materials, including the 2022 Soil Health Field Day Guide which will be available later this week. There’s even a Tool Kit to assist you in planning an exciting Stewardship Week!
If your district has activities planned for Stewardship Week, we want to hear about it! Please email stewardship@nacdnet.org with event details and utilize our hashtags on social media! #DistrictsSupportSoilHealth #NACDStewardshipWeek
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GEORGIA'S CONSERVATION DISTRICTS "DIG DEEPER INTO CONSERVATION" AT ANNUAL MEETING |
The meeting kicked off on Sunday afternoon with a GACD board meeting, district supervisor orientation and memorial, and welcome reception.
The second day’s general session featured several partner updates. Mitch Attaway, the Executive Director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, shared news of a successful state legislative session that will increase funding to Georgia's conservation districts. Southeast Regional Conservationist James Tillman, and State Conservationist Terrance Rudolph from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (USDA-NRCS), championed locally-led conservation and highlighted the growth of acreage conserved in Georgia. The session also featured L. Jonathan Jackson, Founder and Executive Director of STAG VETS, INC. and Comfort Farms in Georgia, who spoke about veterans continuing to serve our country through agriculture and natural resources conservation.
The day’s breakout sessions included a session on erosion and sediment control, watershed dams, conservation planning, and outreach and education for grazing lands, pollinators, and engaging youth in conservation. A group of participants also learned about water conservation and enjoyed a tour of the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia — the world’s longest urban whitewater course —with Columbus Water Works.
NACD President Michael Crowder provided the evening’s keynote address during GACD’s Hall of Fame Banquet, and recognized John Redding for his induction into NACD’s Hall of Distinction. Robbie Faust of Bellflower Farms in Dawson, Georgia was awarded Conservationist of the Year. Faust also received the Friend of Conservation Award at NACD’s 2022 Annual Meeting. The Gwinnett County Conservation District was awarded District of the Year.
The meeting wrapped up with a legislative forum featuring NACD Government Affairs Director Chris Young, and the Georgia Farm Bureau.
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Congressional Offices Accepting FY23 Appropriations Requests |
The appropriations committees in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are beginning to develop FY23 appropriations bills.
Many individual congressional offices accept appropriations requests from their constituents even if their members do not sit on the appropriations committees. Congressional offices consider these constituent requests before they submit federal spending recommendations to the appropriations committees.
Submitting these requests to your federal representatives is critical to securing strong funding for programs that support conservation districts. We encourage all members to follow the instructions below to submit requests.
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Review NACD’s appropriations requests. These requests support a variety of federal programs that benefit conservation districts across the country. We encourage you to ask your representatives to support these programs and any additional federal programs that benefit your state or district.
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Visit your representative’s website. Many congressional representatives have an “appropriations” or “federal spending” tab on their website, which provides instructions on how to submit requests. If you have questions, you can call the office of your representative for assistance.
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Note any deadlines. Many offices are accepting appropriations requests from constituents until the end of April or early May.
Please contact NACD’s Director of Government Affairs Chris Young at chris-young@nacdnet.org if you have any questions about the congressional appropriations process or submitting requests. |
NEW GRANT TRAINING WEBINARS HOSTED BY EPA |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced three new series of webinars for grant applicants and recipients. EPA staff will discuss key aspects of the grant process and participants will have the opportunity to submit questions. Additional information on each webinar and registration information can be found on the EPA website.
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Benton Conservation District Featured in Washington Grown TV Program |
The latest video produced through this partnership features Benton Conservation District (home of NACD President Michael Crowder!) and their work to conserve water in the Columbia Basin.
If you have questions about this joint venture, contact Laura Meyer at the Washington State Conservation Commission.
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Registration for the NCF-Envirothon Now Open! |
Registration for the 2022 NCF-Envirothon competition in Ohio is now open!
The event, hosted by the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, will be held from July 24-30, 2022 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The current issue is Waste to Resources" and Ohio's ecology and natural resources will be highlighted.
In this special area of study, students will learn the concepts of different waste streams and the impacts that waste generation and disposal has on natural resources. Additionally, students will learn the social, economic, and political impacts of turning waste products and degraded lands into resources.
The 2022 Team Registration fee is $1800.00 per team (five students and up to two advisors). In addition to students and advisors, guests are welcome and encouraged to join us in Ohio in July!
Guest rates vary depending on your stay.
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Forest Carbon Webinars Available Next Month
Securing Northeast Forest Carbon Program is hosting four free webinars to take place May 4, 11, 18, and 25.
The webinars include:
• Science of Forest Carbon | May 4 | 9am - 10:30am ET
• Science of Forest Carbon Management | May 11 | 9am - 10:30am ET
• Forest Carbon Markets Overview | May 18 | 9am - 10:30am ET
• Forest Carbon Project Developers | May 25 | 9am - 12:30pm ET
Register for any of these webinars here! |
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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