This week, the New York State Envirothon program is hosting more than 500 students, coaches, mentors, guests, and volunteers for the 2024 National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon annual competition, an international environmental and natural resources academic competition for high school students. The New York State Envirothon is a program of the Environmental Education Foundation of Soil and Water Conservation in New York State, a registered charity and non-profit organization.

This year’s competition is housed at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. Students are focused on the current issue topic of “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.” Throughout the week, students are learning about the different sources of renewable energy; the challenges facing transitioning from traditional fossil fuels to renewables; the environmental, economic, and social impacts of energy consumption; and how individuals can affect change in their communities. 

“Envirothon is an eye-opener for anybody who's interested in natural resources as a young person. A lot of participants are typically interested in science or agriculture," said Wendee Dodds, Natural Resource Specialist, NCF-Envirothon Operating Committee Member. "Envirothon broadens their scope of awareness of how many different types of careers are available in agriculture and natural resources. After participating in the Envirothon as a high school student and learning about all of the different career opportunities that I could pursue, it propelled me into the career I have today as a natural resource specialist.”

Keep up with everything happening on the NCF-Envirothon website.

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS HIGHLIGHTED IN BRIEFING TO PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS

The Agriculture CEO Council is a group composed of CEOs of the organizations that represent our nation’s farmers, ranchers, commodity and food crop growers, state departments of agriculture, and key supply chain organizations that make up a large segment of U.S. agriculture.

NACD CEO Jeremy Peters is a member of the Agriculture CEO Council. He helped to develop the 2024 Agriculture CEO Council Presidential Campaign Briefing paper which was recently provided to the offices of the two U.S. Presidential candidates.

Support for conservation districts and partnerships with USDA and state and local governments are mentioned in the Presidential Campaign Briefing paper under the Sustainability and Climate section. The report says, "There is overwhelming demand by producers for on-the-ground technical assistance. The historic partnership between USDA, state and local governments led by conservation districts remains the backbone of conservation delivery in the U.S."

The paper also outlines the Agriculture CEO Council's priorities for the next four years. Read the full briefing here.

NOMINATE A CONSERVATION LEADER FOR NACD AWARDS

NACD's Annual Awards Program recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Nominations are now being accepted for both NACD 2024 Awards. The 2024 awardees will be recognized at a ceremony held in their honor at NACD's 2025 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.

Distinguished Service Award

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 recipient will be selected by the NACD Awards Committee.

Friend of Conservation Award

The 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. The Friend of Conservation Award recipient will be selected by the NACD Awards Committee.

Learn more and download nomination forms on NACD's website. Please submit nomination forms and any questions you may have to awards@email.nacdnet.org.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON?GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee will consider bills to fund several federal agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Homeland Security in Fiscal Year 2025.

The House will not convene this week, and on Thursday both chambers will recess until September. The full House of Representatives has only passed a few appropriations bills through the full chamber, while the Senate has not passed any.

Congress will focus on negotiating and passing appropriations bills in September, but a continuing resolution to extend current levels of federal funding is expected to avoid a government shutdown in October. Movement on the farm bill in the House and Senate is stalled.

MCCONE CD PROTECTS MONTANA WATER FROM INVASIVE SPECIES

Across the country, our nation’s farmers and ranchers are on the frontlines, protecting the food, fuel, and fiber we need from invasive species. In Montana, one conservation district is taking action in the water.

Meet the McCone Conservation District (CD), based in the town of Circle, Montana. The McCone CD is helping to keep aquatic invasive species out of Montana’s pristine lakes and rivers. They know that if these invaders gain a foothold, the consequences for the state’s recreation and drinking water would be catastrophic.

To sound the alarm, the McCone CD went on a mission to educate Montana’s lawmakers about the looming threat from neighboring states. Armed with data and determination, they made their case to state legislators in Helena. As awareness grew, the McCone CD also formed a powerful alliance with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department (FWP), securing crucial funding and expertise to take action.

Their tactic? Invasive species check stations. Working shoulder-to-shoulder with neighboring conservation districts, they set up eight inspection points along key travel routes to popular recreational lakes and rivers, ready to intercept would-be invaders before they could reach Montana’s vulnerable waters. By law, boaters must stop at these inspection points. Every motorized and non-motorized watercraft must pull over and undergo a swift but thorough inspection and hot water decontamination to eradicate any hidden threats.

In 2023, they inspected 130,000 boats and caught 53 that were harboring invasive species, decontaminating and even turning them back before they could do harm. And the 2024 season is off to an equally impressive start, with 22 contaminated vessels intercepted among the first 16,000 inspected. The fight against invasive species is far from won, but the McCone CD is proof that with determination, education, and collaboration, a small district can make a big impact. Their model is one that conservation districts nationwide can follow to protect their own waters from these aquatic threats.

Read more about their results on NACD's blog.