NACD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 2024 GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

NACD is excited to announce the launch of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Outreach and Technical Assistance Grants (TA2024)! In partnership with NRCS, NACD anticipates the award of approximately $18 million in conservation operations technical assistance (COTA), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding. The full RFP is available on the TA2024 webpage.

The TA2024 program aims to enroll new and underserved producers into conservation programs. Eligible organizations will help provide outreach, education, mentoring, and technical assistance that helps farmers, ranchers, and foresters make informed decisions on their lands to enhance its sustainability.  

Key Highlights of TA2024: 

• Eligibility: Conservation districts, state associations, and partnering organizations are encouraged to apply. 
• Funding: Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with amounts varying based on project scope and impact. 
• Focus Areas: Proposals should increase the number of producers who implement conservation plans and practices, improve economic and environmental resilience, and increase opportunities for civic engagement.  
• Application Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2024. 

Applicants are encouraged to submit innovative and impactful project proposals that demonstrate a clear need for technical assistance and a strong potential for positive outcomes. Detailed guidelines and application materials are available on the NACD website.

NACD will also host a webinar on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. ET to provide further details and answer questions on the application process. The webinar will be recorded and available on the program webpage for those who cannot make it. Register for the webinar here.

TENNESSEE NAMED 2024

NCF-ENVIROTHON WINNER

On August 2, the Tennessee Envirothon team was named the champion of the 2024 National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon, an international environmental and natural resources academic competition for high school students. This year, students focused on the current issue topic of “Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future.” Students learned about the different sources of renewable energy; the challenges facing the transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables; the environmental, economic, and social impacts of energy consumption; and how individuals can affect change in their communities. 

Throughout the week-long competition, students demonstrated their knowledge of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife management, and the current issue through written tests and prepared oral presentations. This year’s competition brought together 50 teams of high school students from across the U.S., Canada, China, and Singapore. 

“I am very excited to congratulate the winners of the 35th annual NCF-Envirothon competition,” said NCF Executive Director Jeremy Peters. “It is encouraging to see young individuals, who will soon become environmental leaders in our local communities, take an interest in natural resources.”

A complete list of award winners can be found here.

EDUCATION MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

NACD's 70th Annual Stewardship Week will celebrate the theme, "Home is Where the Habitat is!"

An annual program since 1955, Stewardship Week is one of the nation’s largest initiatives dedicated to promoting the conservation of natural resources. This week-long event serves as a powerful reminder of our personal responsibilities to safeguard our precious natural resources. The 2025 Stewardship Week will be celebrated April 27 - May 4, 2025 and will study the topic of habitats.

Next year's theme highlights the vital role native habitats play in sustaining biodiversity, storing carbon, and protecting soil and water resources. When animals, plants, and aquatic life have healthy habitats, it benefits us all by ensuring ecosystem stability, enhancing natural beauty, supporting clean air and water, and creating a resilient and sustainable environment.

Now available is the first batch of education materials, including a coloring page, rack cards, promotional posters, and a presentation all designed to share the word about Stewardship Week and habitats. Get these materials for free download on NACD's Marketplace. More materials will be launched this fall, so stay tuned!

JOIN VIRTUAL AGROFORESTRY TRAININGS

In partnership with the USDA Forest Service National Agroforestry Center, NACD is excited to debut virtual agroforestry training sessions for conservation districts and partners!

Demand for trained agroforesters is expected to increase as agroforestry-related Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities projects and Inflation Reduction Act-funded projects are implemented. Two upcoming virtual regional trainings will introduce agroforestry and provide an educational foundation to help conservation districts and partners provide agroforestry technical assistance to landowners. The two trainings will be held on the following dates.



Please join us on:

• August 27, 2024 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT for the North Central, Northern Plains, and South Central Regions | Register here
• October 22, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PT for the Southwest and Pacific Regions | Register here

Questions? Want to attend but can't make it to your region's session? Contact Annica McGuirk, NACD Forestry Program Manager.

This work is made possible by a grant from the USDA Forest Service, National Agroforestry Center, under the authority of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978.

OKLAHOMA COUNTY CD DEVELOPS LOCAL PROJECT AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMING

In 2023, with the help of a Friends of NACD Grant, Oklahoma County Conservation District (OKCCD) spearheaded two impactful projects aimed at promoting sustainable practices and fostering environmental stewardship within the community.

The first initiative involved organizing a series of five educational workshops focused on disseminating knowledge about sustainable landscape practices, covering topics such as soil health improvement, wildlife-friendly planting techniques, water conservation strategies, and small-scale agriculture.

The second project allocated mini grants to support 13 conservation projects throughout Oklahoma County. These projects aimed to promote the planting of native species and enhance biodiversity in both public and private spaces.

Both initiatives directly contribute to on-the-ground conservation efforts, fostering a deeper connection between residents and their local ecosystems. Collectively, these projects support the objectives of the Yard-by-Yard Community Resilience Project, an eco-friendly landscaping certification program initiated by OKCCD that has since been adopted statewide.

These ongoing efforts exemplify the district’s commitment to addressing priority natural resource concerns through community-tailored conservation. Read more about the project in this blog post.

The Friends of NACD District Grants Program is a grassroots-funded program designed by conservation districts to conduct new activities and/or test novel approaches to their operations. Stay tuned for the 2025 Friends of NACD District Grants Program opportunity, to be released this fall. Learn more about current and past projects on the Friends of NACD website.

Please consider becoming a member of Friends of NACD to help provide more grant opportunities like this to districts throughout the NACD network.