The NACD Forestry Resource Policy Group (RPG)'s summer meeting in New Hampshire was canceled due to concerns related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. To replace it, the Forestry RPG has organized a  two-day virtual meeting  to explore relevant forestry topics and conduct annual RPG business.

A series of seven Zoom discussions will be held on  Tuesday, Aug. 11 . Each 50-minute session will feature a panel of presenters and a Q&A session with participants. Sessions are open to all conservation districts and forestry partners interested in attending.

Below is information on each session:

A closer look at American Tree Farm System (ATFS) standards

The American Forest Foundation has proposed changes to American Tree Farm System standards. This session will explore how those changes affect small woodland owners, particularly in the northeast region.

Aug. 11 • 10:00 a.m. Eastern • 50 minutes

Click here to register.

Supporting the NWTF National Forestry Initiative

In a number of states, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) foresters are part of multi-partner efforts that include conservation districts. In recent years, with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the number of NWTF foresters has grown, and with it a need for support and collaboration.

Aug. 11 • 11:00 a.m. Eastern • 50 minutes

Click here to register.

Making the case for strong forest economies

A healthy wood products market helps allow for healthy forests. Conservation districts and state associations are well positioned to educate legislators and community leaders on how the two are linked.

Aug. 11 • 12:00 p.m. Eastern • 50 minutes

Click here to register.

Mastering the message

How conservation districts connect with landowners and communicate with community leaders is critical in their ability to have an impact on the land. This session will explore what has worked (and not worked) and how to better prepare conservation district professionals for those conversations.

Aug. 11 • 2:00 p.m. Eastern • 50 minutes

Click here to register.

Is biochar a growth area for conservation districts?

A number of conservation districts have been involved in the production and use of biochar, which is believed to enhance soil health. This session will provide insight on the product and its uses and how conservation districts may become involved.

Aug. 11 • 3:00 p.m. Eastern • 50 minutes

Click here to register.

 

Conservation districts provide a boost to pre-fire efforts

This session will demonstrate how conservation districts are helping communities reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through planning, partnering and implementation.

Aug. 11 • 4:00 p.m. Eastern • 50 minutes

Click here to register.

How conservation districts can support female forest landowners

Data suggests women are a growing demographic among forest landowners. Groups like Women Owning Woodlands (WOW) aim to support female forest landowners. This session will examine ways conservation districts may help.

Aug. 11 • 5:00 p.m. Eastern • 50 minutes

Click here to register.

To learn more, visit NACD's webiste .

DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR NACD SERVICE AWARD NOMINATIONS

Only one month left to submit your award nominations! NACD is seeking submissions for its  NACD Friend of Conservation Award, which recognizes an individual, business, organization or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources; and the  NACD Distinguished Service Award, which honors an individual within the association, a conservation district or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources.

Nominations are due  Monday, Aug. 31. All nominations will receive an honorable mention certificate from NACD President Tim Palmer in appreciation of their service to conservation. Winning nominations will receive a complimentary meeting registration for NACD's 2021 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, La., a complimentary Appreciation Banquet ticket, a plaque and national recognition at the annual meeting and in NACD’s publications.

For more information and the guidelines to nominate an outstanding conservation leader, please visit  NACD's website and download the nomination forms.

NCF-ENVIROTHON SEEKS YOUR FEEDBACK

The National Conservation Foundation (NCF)-Envirothon is seeking input on how it can grow as an organization and reach a wider audience of students and educators.

Whether you have participated in Envirothon as a student or an advisor or if you have only heard of the program but don't know how to get started, we want to hear from you! What are the challenges to participating in the Envirothon program?

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and be sure to share with your fellow educators or students. Your responses will provide us with valuable information to help shape the future of the Envirothon program. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.

To take the survey, click here.

FINAL RULE RELEASED IMPLEMENTING CHANGES TO NEPA

On Wednesday, July 15, President Trump announced the final rule implementing changes to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). For the first time in over 40 years, NEPA has undergone a comprehensive update covering concerns with the implementation of the statute. NACD addressed our concerns with the way NEPA was implemented previously and expressed support for several of the changes in comments submitted to the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) this spring.

To learn more, visit NACD's website. NACD will continue to provide updates on NEPA as available.

ENGINEERING SUPPORT THROUGH AN

NACD TA GRANT

Thanks to an NACD Technical Assistance (TA) Grant , the Shavano Conservation District (SCD) in Montrose, Colo., was able to ease the engineering backlog in their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. David Olivero was brought on as an engineering technician with the district’s first grant in 2018 and was one of two engineering technicians in the office.

“The funds that were made available for our engineering technician have provided our office with much needed engineering help,” said Penny Bishop , SCD district manager.

In the first year alone, Olivero was able to help with 28 of the approximately 70 projects the team tackled. Since their area is a direct tributary to the Colorado River, efficient water use is strongly encouraged to keep their soils’ salinity out of the watershed. Many projects are irrigation related and include components like gated pipes, sprinkler systems and subsurface drains.

“The majority of projects are gated pipe installations,” Olivero said. “With the installation of gated pipes and with the education of farmers and ranchers on the best use of gated pipes, we’re meeting lot of the objectives as far as keeping salinity out of the watershed.”

To read the rest of this story, click here. To learn more about NACD’s Technical Assistance grants or to read other TA success stories, visit NACD's TA Grants webpage .

AUGUST U&C WEBINAR FEATURES NORTH COVE COASTAL PROJECT

The next NACD Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation webinar, scheduled for  12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern on  Aug. 20, 2020, will feature Washington State's Pacific Conservation District (CD)'s North Cove Coastal Project.

Shoreline erosion has been a disastrous problem for the North Cove community for over 100 years, where 12 square miles of land has been devoured by the ocean. If nothing was done, erosion would have continued until it engulfed State Route 105, which would have resulted in a loss of hundreds of acres of homes and the valuable cranberry farming ground that stretches from Willapa Bay to Grays Harbor. Historic dredging and riprap armoring are believed to have contributed to changing drift currents and sediment transport.

 

This project represents a new approach to addressing erosion at the site and emulates the natural process along the upper Washington coast and Oregon coast. Work consisted of placing cobble against the existing erosion scarp to create a porous, dynamic revetment (retaining wall).

The revetment dissipates wave and tidal energy by allowing individual rocks to move and absorb the wave energy, rather than deflecting energy like a typical revetment. The dynamic revetment helped protect existing vegetation and beach sands from scour/erosion during storm events. Large woody debris was installed to help reduce lateral erosion.

These popular webinars, held on the third Thursday of each month, are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation in partnership with the NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To register, click  here. If you have difficulty, please contact NACD Senior Advisor  Debra Bogar at  [email protected].

Last Call for NACD U&C Webinar Proposals

The deadline to submit proposals for NACD's FY2021 Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation Webinars is this Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

NACD's Urban and Community Resource Policy Group (RPG) invites member conservation districts and partners to submit presentation proposals by sending a brief paragraph describing the program/project to NACD Senior Advisor Deb Bogar.

Topic suggestions are wide-ranging, including, but not limited to, stormwater management and low impact development; green infrastructure and urban forestry; urban agriculture and small acreage; soil health; community outreach and engagement; and technology.

To view a f ull list of the past webinars, visit  NACD's website .

USDA Investigating Packages of

Unsolicited Seeds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently investigating packages of unsolicited seeds from China that people from across the country have received in numerous states.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection, as well as other federal agencies and state departments of agriculture. to investigate the situation.

USDA urges anyone who receives a suspicious, unsolicited package of seeds to immediately contact their state plant regulatory official or APHIS state plant health director. To learn more, visit APHIS's website.

NACD Thanks 

Bobbie Frank for Conservation Work

This August, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts Executive Director Bobbie Frank will retire.

"I can't imagine having a more fulfilling career," Frank said. "Conservation districts are the boots on the ground getting resource projects and programs implemented and helping agriculture along the way."

"Being a small part of that in Wyoming has been an honor and a privilege," she said. "I will miss the people in Wyoming's conservation districts, as well as the NACD friends I have met over the years."

NACD thanks Frank for her many years of service toward the conservation mission.

Apply Now:

NACD 2021

Annual Meeting

Breakout Sessions

NACD is soliciting applications for breakout sessions  for the 2021 Annual Meeting, which is currently being planned as an in-person meeting. Applications must be submitted by  Friday, Sept. 4, 2020.

NACD’s 75th Annual Meeting will put heavy emphasis on NACD’s legacy and focus on where the conservation movement is headed. We encourage proposals that explore the legacy of conservation districts.

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  [email protected] .

To learn more about this year's five proposal themes and to submit a proposal, visit  NACD's Breakout Sessions webpage . If you have any questions, please contact NACD Government Affairs Manager  Eric Hansen.

Are You Involved with Woodland Pollinators?

Is your conservation district engaged in projects involving woodland pollinators? Do you have an interest in the subject?

Share your stories and interest with NACD Forestry Specialist Mike Beacom, using "woodland pollinators" in the subject line.

PLT Offers New Online Green Job Quiz

Project Learning Tree (PLT) has launched an interactive quiz that allows youth to answer a few simple questions online and receive recommendations for a rewarding green career path that suits their personality.

It’s fast, easy and fun to do, as well as perfect for youth ages 12-25 looking to learn about what it takes to perform jobs in sustainability, forestry and conservation.

Try the online quiz here.

Nominations Now Open for NOYF Awards

The Outstanding Farmers of America (OFA)'s National Outstanding Young Farmers (NOYF) Awards Program, the nation's longest running farmer recognition program, is now seeking nominations for young agricultural leaders committed to stewardship, innovative agriculture and community involvement.

The mission of the awards is to bring about a greater interest in the farmer to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of the farmers’ endeavors, to develop a further appreciation for their contributions and achievements, and to inform the agribusiness community of the growing urban awareness of farmers’ importance

and impact on America’s economy.

Winners receive an award from John Deere and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., during National Ag Week next year. The nomination deadline is Oct. 5, 2020. To learn more and fill out a nomination form, visit OFA'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 !