Last week, NACD headed to 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 took place on February 15-19, 2026, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk. This special anniversary meeting explored the theme "Deep Roots, Bold Horizons," to look back on NACD's past and ahead to its future. Take a deep dive into all the best moments from the meeting in this special edition of eResource!

MARK MASTERS SWORN IN

AS NACD PRESIDENT-ELECT

The NACD Board of Directors elected Mark Masters, of Georgia, to serve as the association’s President-Elect. He will serve a one-year term as President-Elect alongside current NACD President Gary Blair and will assume the role of NACD President in 2027.

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve NACD and the thousands of conservation leaders across the county in this new role,” said President-Elect Masters. “It is a joy to work alongside such a dedicated team of staff and volunteers to address the evolving nature and magnitude of resource concerns through the local delivery of conservation policy and practices.”

Masters has served NACD in a number of roles since 2021, including as a Chair of the Water and Climate Subcommittee, as an officer in the role of Secretary-Treasurer, and most recently as NACD's First Vice President. He also served as a President of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts and is a supervisor at his local conservation district, the Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District.

Masters will be sworn in as President in February 2027 at NACD’s 81st Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada.

NEW NRCS LEADERSHIP INTRODUCED TO DISTRICTS

Conservation district professionals from across the country welcomed new leaders from NRCS to the National Conservation Partnership. The partnership has endured for 80 years at the national level and nearly 90 years locally, since the first conservation district was established in 1937.

NACD board members welcomed NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt, who answered questions from members, introduced NRCS’ new Assistant Chiefs, and spoke about goals for the next year. With a focus on meeting farmers where they are, Chief Bettencourt detailed how NRCS plans to host producer round tables, invest in technical tools and staff training, and implement USDA’s Regenerative Pilot Program. She also spoke about increasing data and metric capturing to better share the success of producers voluntarily implementing conservation practices.  

At Wednesday's General Session, NRCS leaders provided updates and participated in a panel discussion facilitated by NACD President Gary Blair. NRCS Associate Chief Colton Buckley introduced NRCS Assistant Chiefs Jimmy Emmons (Central Region), Hans Hunt (Western Region), and Kennon White (Southern Region). All sat down and talked with President Blair about NRCS priorities, staffing, and conservation programs. NACD is also pleased to welcome Walt Whitcomb, Assistant Chief to the Northern Region, to the partnership.

GENERAL SESSIONS HIGHLIGHT GUEST SPEAKERS

At the opening general session, attendees heard from Chet Garner, the creator, host, and executive producer of The Daytripper, an 18-time Emmy-award-winning Texas travel show airing on PBS stations across the country. The Daytripper takes viewers on adventures with Garner as he explores Texas’ natural wonders, food, and history. All things made possible—in Texas or anywhere—through good land stewardship and natural resources conservation!

Garner shared Texas history and trivia with us, reminding us that every place has a story to tell and to take the road less traveled to discover those stories and connect with the people who care about them.

“What we care about in life comes down to the stories we are told and the stories we believe,” said Garner. “Share the better story, fill the world with goodness, light, and optimism.”

On Thursday, NACD welcomed Aaron Alejandro, Executive Director of the Texas FFA Foundation. Alejandro spoke about connecting with youth, leadership, and leaving a legacy. He emphasized the importance of creating new pathways for youth and empowered the audience to seize opportunities.

“It's grassroots,” said Alejandro. “We’re the ones who grow the future we want.”

He reminded attendees to remember why clear values make for easier choices. As technology changes, Alejandro also assured us that the timeless need for relationships, collaboration, and communication to achieve our goals will endure.

CONSERVATIONISTS AND DISTRICTS CELEBRATED

At the Leadership Luncheon and Appreciation Banquet, remarkable leaders in conservation and outstanding conservation districts from across the nation were recognized through awards from NACD and partners. 

During the luncheon, membership awards were distributed to states who contributed 100% of their membership dues in fiscal year 2025 –Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington – and for the ten states with the most dollars contributed through their dues – Alabama, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Iowa, Washington, and Kansas. 

Joe Glassmeyer of Ohio, Joe Lomax of New Jersey, and Dr. Orval Gigstad of Nebraska were inducted into NACD’s Hall of Distinction.

The graduates of the 2025 National Conservation Foundation's Next Generation Leadership Institute were also recognized. The participants, Patricia Brown of Louisiana, Carmen Bruner-Still of Oklahoma, Stacey Conly of Louisiana, Sadie Lister of Arizona, Josh Myers of North Carolina, and Randy Smith of Minnesota, together completed over 80 hours of instruction, a full day of legislative visits, and a capstone project, solidifying their place as national conservation leaders.

At the banquet, the Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards, which honor one national producer and one planner who demonstrate commitment to conservation planning and soil health, were presented to Jeff and Jolene Steffen of Nebraska and Shane Jordan of South Dakota.

Nicholas Schalitz, from Weatherford, Texas, was presented with the Olin Sims Award, recognizing his efforts in private lands conservation. NACD’s Friend of Conservation Award was bestowed upon Andy Bishop with the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture from Grand Island, Nebraska, for their outstanding contributions to conserving the nation’s natural resources. Jerry Miller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was honored with the NACD Distinguished Service Award for his work in conservation and management of our nation’s natural resources. 

The National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) presented their Outstanding Conservation District Board Member Award to Ray Weaver of the Coffee County Soil and Water Conservation District from Manchester, Tennessee, and their Outstanding Conservation District Professional Award to Susie Bishop of the Highlands Soil and Water Conservation District in Sebring, Florida. 

NACD President Gary Blair also honored Candice Abinanti, NACD Director of Communications, from Charlotte, North Carolina, with the President’s Award. Ray Ledgerwood of Pullman, Washington, was surprised with the Rich Duesterhaus Lifetime Achievement Award for his indelible, lasting impact on the entirety of the National Conservation Partnership.

Find more information about the honorees in NACD's newsroom.

THANK YOU TO OUR

MEETING SPONSORS!