NACD invites you to join us in San Antonio, Texas, for the 2026 Annual Meeting! Hosted in partnership with the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD), our 80th meeting will take place on February 15-19, 2026, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk. This special anniversary meeting with explore the theme "Deep Roots, Bold Horizons," to look back on NACD's past and ahead to its future. | This year, NACD will have nearly 30 exhibitors at the National Conservation Showcase. The showcase is a hub for meeting activities, serving as host for the welcome reception and daily coffee breaks. This is the place to meet with conservation and agricultural business and agencies from across the U.S. See the full list of exhibitors here. | |
At the showcase, you can also shop the NACD Marketplace Pop-Up! Grab NACD-branded gear or place orders for custom items with your district or agency logo. You can even pick up education supplies for Stewardship Week 2026, like worksheets, bookmarks, and more to take home. There will even be items exclusive to the meeting avalaible for purchase and pre-order.
We can't wait to see you in San Antonio soon! Learn more about the expo, and everything else coming up on this jam-packed agenda, on the meeting webpage.
| JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT NACD | |
NACD is hiring! We are seeking a Government Affairs Specialist and a Grants Management Specialist to join our staff team.
The Government Affairs Specialist is a full-time position based in Washington, D.C. that supports NACD’s federal advocacy and policy agenda by leading analysis within assigned issue areas and supporting legislative and stakeholder engagement efforts. This role applies independent analytical judgment while operating within Director-approved policy and advocacy frameworks. The Specialist serves as a subject-matter resource and supports NACD leadership and members through policy analysis, communications, and grassroots advocacy execution.
The Grants Management Specialist leads the day-to-day compliance, monitoring, and financial oversight of NACD’s federal grants and subaward portfolio. This position also provides administrative support for the full lifecycle of pass-through grants, including pre-award solicitation activities and post-award monitoring and closeout. The Grants Management Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with 2 CFR 200 and federal grant requirements, supporting subrecipients in meeting performance and financial obligations, and maintaining strong, proactive relationships with NACD members and partners. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, compliance-driven, and service-minded, with the ability to communicate clearly with grantees.
See the full position descriptions here. Apply by Friday, February 20, for priority consideration.
| WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE | The House of Representatives has passed the funding package sent by the Senate to fund all remaining agencies and provide a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security as Congress continues discussion around funding and policy. Once signed by the President, the partial shutdown will be over. | BIRD CONSERVANCY ASKS FOR CONSERVATION DISTRICT INPUT | |
The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, a nonprofit based out of Fort Collins, CO, is leading a research project to better understand your perspectives on ranch and farm land managers’ willingness to engage in several grassland conservation activities within conservation districts. So far, 8% of conservation districts have completed the survey, and more responses are needed to complete analyses and compile results that will help support conservation planning in the Great Plains. They will share reports detailing their findings with those who participate. They estimate that the survey will only take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Please note that any staff or board member in your conservation district may take this survey. They encourage a single response from whoever feels qualified to estimate willingness to engage in conservation behaviors among ranchers and farmers in your conservation district. Rough estimates are expected, and the respondent will be able to express their level of certainty in their answer.
| If your district falls within the counties in the light brown shading in the map above, you are invited to respond to this survey. Please complete the survey by Friday, February 13. If you have any questions, reach out to Justin Beall at justin.beall@birdconservancy.org. | NACD'S NORTH CENTRAL REGION ADVANCES PARTNERSHIP WITH USFWS | |
NACD’s North Central Region held its annual Region Partners’ Meeting on January 13–14 in Indianapolis, IN, bringing conservation partners from across the region together for networking, education, and preparation for the upcoming NACD Annual Meeting.
This year’s program focused on strengthening the partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), building on the Memorandum of Understanding NACD signed with the agency in 2023. This past summer, the regional board approved the development of a work plan centered on actionable efforts the region can implement.
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The session opened with remarks from North Central Region Chair Kris Swartz of Ohio and Sergio Pierluissi, Midwest Partners for Fish and Wildlife Coordinator with USFWS, followed by a panel discussion. The panel featured three representatives: Susan Kozak of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Sheila Vanney of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Caitlin Nagorka of USFWS–Wisconsin. Each panelist shared examples of how their state is collaborating with USFWS to advance conservation efforts on the ground.
Following the panel, attendees broke into small groups for a brainstorming session to identify practical ways to strengthen state and local-level partnerships and further conservation implementation. Suggestions included inviting USFWS representatives to state meetings and Local Working Groups, as well as partnering to provide staff training. Participants then voted on their top three ideas.
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Region leadership from both NACD and USFWS is currently reviewing the results of the activity and will present potential next steps in a regional workplan at the North Central Region meeting in San Antonio on Monday, February 16.
To wrap up a productive first day, the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts sponsored an evening of barbecue and bowling at a nearby entertainment center, providing an opportunity for attendees to relax and continue networking.
| | NACD Announces Director of Government Affairs | |
NACD is excited to announce Libby Wawro as Director of Government Affairs.
Wawro has served as NACD Natural Resources Policy Specialist since 2023. During her tenure, she has provided significant policy and technical leadership to the association and key committees and subcommittees, including Legislative, Natural Resources, Public Lands, and Water and Climate.
Wawro has also supported NACD’s work in the annual policy resolutions process, has participated in numerous successful legislative fly-ins, and has provided significant policy and technical input to various communications, including federal rulemakings, legislative communications, and policy memos.
NACD extends congratulations to Libby! She can be reached at libby-wawro@nacdnet.org.
| NACD Welcomes Southwest Region Representative | |
NACD is pleased to welcome Desiree Van Dyke onboard as Southwest Region Representative.
Van Dyke comes to NACD from the Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD), where she has served as Executive Assistant and Partnerships Coordinator since 2023. She has been associated with Utah’s conservation districts for nearly 20 years and has held a wide range of roles, including district clerk, district co-chair, district staff, UACD Board member, and most recently providing administrative and education support at the state association level.
Prior to UACD, Van Dyke worked with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, Tread Lightly!, and Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, building a strong background in water resources, conservation, and outreach and education.
Van Dyke holds a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and a Master’s degree in Urban Water Conservation from Utah State University.
She is based in South Jordan, UT, and can be reached at desiree-vandyke@nacdnet.org.
| FSA Updates Digital Services | |
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is modernizing and expanding their digital services. Moving forward, to conduct business with FSA online, producers will need a Login.gov account.
Login.gov is the public’s one account for government. Producers can use one account and password for secure, private access to participating government agencies, including FSA.
Visit farmers.gov/account to create your Login.gov account. If you already have a Login.gov account, you can work with FSA using your existing account.
If you have worked with FSA in the past and have an FSA customer record, the system will attempt to automatically link your Login.gov account to your existing FSA Customer Record and send you directly to the farmers.gov portal.
If you are new to working with USDA, you will need to create an FSA Customer Record. This record is sometimes called a Business Partner ID, BPID, or Business Partner Customer Record. After you verify your identity online, you will be taken to a page to fill out and submit a form to begin that process.
To learn more about what FSA and NRCS-related business can be conducted online, view the Your Farmers.gov Account Fact Sheet.
For assistance creating your Login.gov account, visit login.gov/help.
| Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events! | |
