Conservation leaders from across the country gathered this week for NACD’s 2026 Summer Conservation Forum & Tours in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hosted in partnership with the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, this summer's meeting featured keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and tours that furthered discussions on natural resource concerns and solutions. 

During Monday’s Conservation Forum, participants were welcomed by Kris Swartz, NACD North Central Region Chair; Jerry Miller, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts President; Louis Canfield, Chief of Staff to the Grand Rapids City Manager; and Al Vanderberg, Kent County Administrator.  

During the Forum, attendees heard remarks from Dr. Tim Boring, Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Will Meeks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Regional Director; and Nicole Zacharda, Great Lakes Commission Program Manager, as well as video messages from the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. The Forum continued to explore this year’s theme, Deep Roots, Bold Horizons, and how regional partnerships can build a stronger conservation workforce and reach new heights in habitat, natural resource, and agriculture conservation.  

During the luncheon on Monday, NACD President Gary Blair sat down with NRCS Chief Colton Buckley for a Q&A, where they spoke about new NRCS policies and streamlining initiatives, safeguarding America’s working lands, and building partnerships with conservation districts to serve farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.  

Throughout the meeting, attendees heard from conservation leaders who shared their experiences addressing changing natural resource challenges in their regions. Keynote speakers, conservation leaders, and board members spoke about the importance of building partnerships to move forward together in conservation. 

NORTH CENTRAL REGION BOARD APPROVES WORK PLAN WITH USFWS

This week, the NACD Board of Directors members from the North Central Region convened during NACD's Summer Conservation Forum & Tours to approve a cooperative work plan with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 

The effort builds on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by NACD and USFWS in 2023 to encourage closer working relationships, facilitate accomplishments of conservation tasks, and provide the opportunity for information exchange. Recognizing the potential of that agreement, leaders in NACD's North Central Region saw an opportunity to leverage the MOU and expand the possibilities for collaboration with USFWS. 

"The national MOU gave us an exciting opportunity to take our partnership with USFWS to the next level through this work plan—moving beyond something symbolic and creating the potential for real impact across the region," said NACD North Central Region Representative Beth Mason. 

Mason proposed the idea of a regional work plan to NACD and USFWS leadership, where it was met with enthusiasm from both parties. A joint task force was quickly assembled to guide the planning process: Sergio Pierluissi, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Coordinator, USFWS; Caitlin Nagorka, Wisconsin Assistant State Coordinator/Acting State Coordinator, USFWS; Brent Sodergren, Indiana/Ohio State Coordinator, USFWS; Kris Swartz, NACD North Central Region Chair; Sam Steiner, NACD North Central Region Executive Board Member; and Beth Mason. 

The task force initially sought input from regional board members and state association executive directors through a survey designed to identify priorities and opportunities for collaboration. The survey responses quickly revealed that many had limited familiarity with USFWS programs and partnership opportunities at the regional and state levels. 

Rather than viewing that as a barrier, the task force saw it as an opportunity. The group shifted its approach and organized an in-person planning session that brought together additional conservation partners to spur more engagement with the USFWS and generate new ideas for collaboration. 

The meeting proved invaluable. Through panel discussions highlighting successful partnerships between USFWS and other state agencies/partners, small-group discussions, and facilitated planning exercises, participants identified shared priorities and developed the foundation for a regional work plan with actionable goals. 

NACD North Central Region leadership is optimistic about what this partnership can achieve. 

"I think the work plan developed by the North Central Region and the USFWS will lead to increased interaction and cooperation between our conservation districts and the USFWS on projects that help fulfill both our missions," said North Central Region Chair Kris Swartz. 

Learn more and read the full story on NACD's blog.

CONSERVATION IN ACTION: SUMMER MEETING TOURS EXPLORE GRAND RAPIDS

This year’s Summer Meeting tours explored what conservation looks like close-up in Grand Rapids. 

On Monday afternoon, attendees participated in a walking tour, learning about the Grand River’s dynamic ecosystem—highlighting fish migrations, floodplain function, water quality, habitat restoration, and the challenges posed by invasive species and historic development. Shortly after, they departed for the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which blends horticulture and artistic expression.  

Tuesday saw a day-long tour with stops at Mast Young Plants, a five-acre-plus commercial greenhouse that grows more than 1,500 varieties of annuals, perennials, and cut flowers; the Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm Market, a fourth-generation farm that is a bustling agritourism business; the Schwallier’s Country Basket, a family-owned business, whose sixth generation of farmers operating it are adapting to meet new economic and climate-related challenges; Plainsong Farm, a Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program verified farm located in northern Kent County working to foster a sustainable and community-driven food system; and the Cannonsburg State Game Area, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant recipient addressing habitat degradation, wildlife management, and hunting opportunities. 

NACD extends a special thank you to Abt Global, the generous sonsor of Tuesday's Michigan Conservation Tour. Abt Global is a mission-driven consulting and data analysis firm. For 60 years, Abt has tackled society’s toughest problems, pioneering evidence and innovation that improve policy, systems, and lives. Together with TSPi, a Division of Abt Global, they help clients accelerate modernization and deliver real results through advanced automation, data science, and mission-aligned platforms.