This year's prospectus celebrates the strength of collaboration, inviting potential stakeholders, sponsors and partners to join NACD in delivering conservation benefits to millions of cooperating landowners. Conservation districts nationwide are working to improve soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat and more, and a partnership with NACD means supporting their efforts, while helping your organization accomplish your conservation goals and create a better future for all Americans.
The FY21 Prospectus contains opportunities to take part in NACD's 2021 Annual Meeting, including its successful Conservation Innovation Expo, which brings together conservation leaders and organizations into one space. You'll also learn more about the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Live Auction, as well as the 2021 Summer Conservation Forum and Tour, scheduled to take place in Chicago, Ill. Should any of NACD’s meetings shift to a virtual format, meeting sponsorships will also have value by reaching an even broader audience.
You can continue to support NACD year-round through its Friends of NACD program, as well as the Friends of NACD District Grants program, which you can read about on page 14 of the prospectus.
For current partners and sponsors of NACD, we thank you for your continued support of our mission, and we look forward to working with you in the future! To read the full prospectus, click here. |
NACD 2020 MEMBERSHIP DUES REMINDER |
NACD’s 2020 fiscal year ends Sept. 30, and now, more than ever, NACD needs your conservation district’s active involvement. If your district has not yet paid membership dues, please consider making a contribution online today.
If your district or state/territory association has already submitted a payment, thank you! If you’re able, please consider sending an additional payment to bolster the important work we’re accomplishing on behalf of America's conservation districts.
A special thanks to the following states who have already met or exceeded last year’s membership contributions:
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DEADLINE APPROACHING:
HUGH HAMMOND BENNETT
AWARDS NOMINATIONS
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Nominations are open for the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP)'s Hugh Hammond Bennett (HHB) Award for Conservation Excellence.
The award has two categories: a producer award and a conservation planner award. Each year, the producer award is presented to a producer who demonstrates a commitment to conservation planning, pioneering new opportunities, and leadership in the community. The local field office staff that provide assistance to the producer will also receive recognition. The conservation planner award is given to an individual who demonstrates a high standard of conservation planning and implementation for customers, as well as sharing his/her expertise with others.
Winners will be recognized during NACD's 75th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La. The producer and conservation planner award winners are encouraged to attend the Appreciation Banquet, held Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. Travel expenses will be paid by NCPP partners for all non-federal employees.
Nominations for each award must be submitted online here no later than Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Nominations must be submitted by an employee or member of an NCPP agency or organization. To learn more, visit NCPP's website.
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SHARED LEADERSHIP FOR WILDFIRE PROTECTION
IN TETON COUNTY
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Photo credit: Florence McCall Photography, Little Horsethief Fire, Jackson, Wyo., 2012
In Teton County, Wyoming, forested lands are a major part of the landscape. In 1988, as the Yellowstone Fires raged in three states, the county realized those devastating fires could happen at home. To work to prevent that, a group of fire managers formed the Teton Area Wildfire Protection Coalition (TAWPC) to support the community in preventing wildland fire.
The coalition has a variety of members, including landowners and foresters, as well as individuals from Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS, Wyoming Game and Fish, Teton Conservation District and more.
“People bring a lot of different skill sets and priorities, making it a high functioning group,” said Robb Sgroi, Land Resources Specialist for Teton Conservation District (TCD).
TAWPC’s first task was to collaborate and develop a community wildfire protection plan (CWPP) to identify fire-prone areas and prioritize locations for risk reduction. The first plan was adopted in 2005 and revised in 2014, with another revision on the way. Since developing the first plan, the coalition has continued to work diligently in the community.
“We’ve got a lot of mixed landownership in this area, so it’s wonderful to see that this group works well across authorities,” Sgroi said. “With that mixed ownership, I think this group has been successful in communicating, sharing resources, trying to develop common goals, and supporting each other, so that things could be looked at at a broader scale.”
According to Sgroi, TAWPC has four main goals: (1) provide a source of education to landowners in the county on wildfire risk reduction; (2) provide technical review of wildfire prevention projects that are being proposed; (3) support long-range planning for the community, which is specifically done through review and revision of the CWPP; and (4) seek out funding for projects prioritized in the CWPP.
As part of its education goal, TAWPC helps the district with its Wildfire Risk Reduction Program, which started in 2013 with a Western States Wildland Urban Interface (WSWUI) Grant that TCD received. As part of the program, the district has worked with over 300 landowners to provide a wildfire risk overview, which provides voluntary recommendations for wildfire risk reduction on their lands.
“This program incentivizes risk reduction and provides financial support as well,” Sgroi said. “People can do a lot to control this type of natural disturbance, so it’s great to see people interested in doing the work needed to help prevent loss of life and loss of homes.”
TAWPC further educates local landowners through hosting speakers, film nights, training days and more.
“We’ve got a really well-informed public here,” Sgroi said. “They’re knowledgeable, they’re motivated, and they’re very interested in applying best management practices to their lands. I think with our education and outreach, we can steer them in the right direction by helping them prioritize what they need to do.”
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Today marks the first day of Fall! We at NACD wish you all a happy and prosperous Autumn season. |
Cast Your Vote:
Fall 2020
The Resource
Cover Selection
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NACD needs your help selecting the cover image for the Fall 2020 edition of The Resource!
Above is just one of the photos you can vote for, all of which were submitted to NACD's Photo Contest. Interested in submitting photos for our 2020 contest? Visit our website to learn more. Submissions close Dec. 1, 2020.
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Last Call to Submit Annual Meeting Breakout Session Proposals |
The deadline to submit applications for Annual Meeting breakout sessions is this Friday, Sept. 25.
NACD is still seeking breakout session proposals that explore the legacy of conservation districts, in celebration of NACD's 75th anniversary next year. Accepted proposals will be utilized and adapted if the 2021 NACD Annual Meeting shifts to a virtual format.
If your company or organization would like time at the meeting to present to NACD members about your products or services that support conservation district work, please contact info@nacdnet.org.
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ESMC Announces
New Producer
Circle Members
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In July 2020, the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) announced a select group of farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. as the inaugural cohort of Producer Circle members. In August, ESMC added six additional producers to ensure representation across all regions of the country, including NACD past president and Maryland's Harford Soil Conservation District chairman Lee McDaniel. McDaniel joins other NACD representatives in the producer circle, including NACD President and Producer Circle Co-Chair Tim Palmer, and NACD Board Member Jeff Rice from Kentucky.
The Producer Circle is vitally important in providing farmer and rancher input while pilot testing ESMC’s innovative protocols and the technical assistance, verification and certification requirements in preparation for full market launch in 2022.
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MCCC Releases Improved Cover
Crop Tool
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The Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) recently announced the roll-out of an improved cover crop selection tool that will help farmers choose the right cover crops for their fields.
Users will be able to select their state/province and county and then select the goals they have for cover crops—erosion control, nitrogen scavenger, fighting weeds and providing forage, etc. They also can provide information about the cash crops they are planting and drainage data for their fields. The tool offers the best cover crop options for the specified conditions. Clicking on the cover crops brings up data sheets that offer more information about each crop, seeding rates and more.
MCCC is made up of representatives from 12 Midwest states and universities, including the University of Purdue, the province of Ontario and other agricultural stakeholders. To read the full press release and learn more about MCCC, visit their website.
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NACD's Marketplace Offers Face Masks |
Help prevent the spread of germs with NACD's two-ply cotton face masks, now available through NACD's Marketplace! Designed with the Conservation C logo, these reusable face coverings are machine-washable and have a comfortable fit with elastic straps. The masks have a soft 100 percent cotton jersey inner layer and a water-repellent 100 percent polyester outer layer.
Platinum, diamond and gold level NACD members making a single purchase of $100 or more from the Marketplace can benefit from 20 percent, 15 percent and 10 percent discounts. To learn more about NACD's membership incentives and levels of discounts, please visit NACD's Membership page or email us at stewardship@nacdnet.org.
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Washington County CD Seeks Director |
The Washington County Conservation District (CD) in Pennsylvania is seeking a director or associate director to help the conservation district deliver conservation and natural resource management to the region.
Interested individuals need to be nominated by an approved nominating organization within the county. For more information, visit the CD's website. |
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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