REGISTER FOR ADVOCACY TRAINING TO PREPARE FOR NACD'S SPRING FLY-IN

Join us in D.C. for NACD's 2025 Spring Fly-In on March 26!

Each year, hundreds of conservation district leaders from across the country travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in NACD’s Spring Fly-In. This event provides our members with the opportunity to build relationships with their congressional representatives, highlight the importance of locally led conservation, and advocate for strong federal conservation policies. This Fly-In is critical for conservation districts and our country’s conservation delivery system.

The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET in the Hart Senate Office Building, room 902 with a Breakfast Briefing, followed by individually scheduled meetings with congressional offices, and will end with a reception at 5:30 p.m. ET in the Russell Senate Office Building, toom 325. Please RSVP here.

The NACD Government Affairs team will hold two virtual advocacy training sessions on March 18 and 20 at 4:00 p.m. ET. These sessions will present the same information and provide time for members to review NACD's priorities, learn some tips and tricks for meeting with representatives, and ask the Government Affairs team any questions. You don't want to miss one of these sessions before making your trip to Washington. Register for session one on March 18, here. Register for session two on March 20, here.

Visit the Fly-In page for more information, including answers to your frequently asked questions.

LEARN ABOUT WISCONSIN'S URBAN & COMMUNITY PROJECT IN UPCOMING WEBINAR

This upcoming webinar, “Creating a Community-Centered Food and Native Plant System,” will be presented by Chad Sampson, Monte Osterman, and Kristi Heuser from Racine County Land & Water Conservation in Wisconsin. They will discuss how they are using their NACD Urban and Community Grant to provide technical assistance to install a controlled micro-nursery and vegetable garden within a secured youth detention center that aims to create a strong, community-centered food and native plant system in Racine County. With this grant, they will create shareable manuals, potentially setting a precedent for initiatives statewide. 

Join the webinar on March 19, at 4:00 p.m. ET. Register here.

NACD’s Urban and Community webinar series, sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, highlights programs related to urban and community conservation, outreach to underrepresented clients, small-scale natural resource concerns, stormwater management, and other related themes. Revisit all past webinars here.

FORMER NFL STAR INSPIRES CONSERVATIONISTS AT OACD ANNUAL MEETING

At the 87th Annual Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) State Meeting, keynote speaker Jason Brown shared his journey from NFL player to regenerative farmer, delivering a powerful message on resilience, stewardship, and soil health. 

Brown, formerly of the Ravens and Rams, left behind a multimillion-dollar football career in 2012 to start First Fruits Farm in North Carolina. With no prior experience, he dedicated himself to growing and donating fresh produce, embodying service and environmental stewardship. 

Emphasizing the conference theme, "Ground Gained; Ground Lost," Brown warned against complacency in conservation. "If we neglect our soil, we lose more than just crops—we lose livelihoods, ecosystems, and the future for our children." 

He highlighted regenerative agriculture’s role in restoring soil health through cover cropping, rotational grazing, and no-till farming, emphasizing its importance in building resilient communities and securing long-term sustainability. 

Brown also spoke about the personal transformation farming brought him. "The land teaches patience, humility, and gratitude. Every season brings challenges but also opportunities to grow—not just as farmers, but as caretakers of the land." 

His inspiring story reinforced the importance of perseverance and innovative land management, sparking discussions on implementing regenerative practices. His keynote left attendees with a renewed sense of purpose and a reminder that, like on the football field, teamwork, dedication, and heart are essential to winning in conservation. 

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON?

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

On Friday, NACD published a memo sharing updates on recent executive actions.

On Saturday, House Republicans released a continuing resolution (CR) to extend current levels of federal funding through September 30. Currently opposed by Democrats, the CR needs to pass the House and Senate by Friday to prevent a government shutdown.

On March 6, the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology held a hearing to review the Fix Our Forests Act and options to reduce catastrophic wildfire. Witnesses included representatives from Megafire Action, the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Gunnison County, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The panel highlighted the severe impacts of recent wildfires, including property and production losses, soil degradation, and decreased water quality. Witnesses highlighted that the Fix Our Forests Act would provide the resources and staffing capacity needed for the Forest Service’s ability to effectively confront the wildfire crisis. The importance of utilizing and expanding the Forest Service’s ability to enter Good Neighbor Authority agreements was also discussed.

Also on March 6, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) introduced the Endangered Species Amendments Act of 2025. This Act focuses on establishing clear statutory definitions for species recovery and streamlining the ESA permitting process. Amendments also include, among others: a codified listing work plan structure to establish more flexible deadlines and allow for better informed decisions; streamline the approval of voluntary conservation agreements and incidental take permits; and require federal agencies to establish objective and incremental recovery goals. For more information, see the Committee press release here.

LUTA SWCD TEACHES YOUTH TO HONOR THEIR CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

The Luta Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in the Northern Mariana Islands created The Cultivating Roots project with support from a Friends of NACD district grant. This project immersed youth on Rota Island, CNMI in a transformative experience that blended environmental education with the rich tapestry of Chamorro culture. The project evolved to align with the re-emergence of the Luta Agricultural Fair and the annual Gilita Festival, held jointly in 2024. This strategic shift enabled collaboration with key community organizations and significantly broadened the program’s audience and impact. 

Collaborations allowed Luta SWCD to expand the program’s reach to one that engaged all K-12 students on Rota Island. Activities at the fair included hands-on learning stations, such as seed confetti crafting, forest collages, and mini-greenhouse building, as well as interactive games, such as “The Golden Mango Hunt” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll”. These activities were closely tied to NACD’s “May the Forest Be With You, Always” materials, creating a fun and educational experience for participants. 

Cultural booths at the festival showcased traditional Chamorro practices, including medicine-making, salt preparation, and cooking. These elements emphasized the interconnectedness of Rota’s cultural heritage and environmental conservation, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation for both.  

Read the full story on NACD's blog. Consider supporting district projects like these by becoming a Friend of NACD.