On Friday, NACD released a statement regarding the decision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to finalize the repeal of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule under the Clean Water Act.
“Since
the WOTUS rule was proposed in 2014
, NACD has been working continuously to advocate for its reversal,”
NACD President Tim Palmer said
. “[The] announcement is a positive step forward for locally-led conservation and brings a greater level of certainty for producers and landowners who are stewards of our land and water.”
The full repeal of the 2015 rule brings all 50 states back under regulations that have been in effect since the 1980s.
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“For more than 75 years, conservation districts have been leaders in locally-led efforts to ensure a clean and sustainable water supply for the nation,”
Palmer said. “The nation’s nearly 3,000 conservation districts and the landowners they work with are the best equipped to handle local decision-making, and we applaud the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers for reversing the 2015 rule.”
The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers will continue to work toward finalizing a revised definition of WOTUS published in the Federal Register in December 2018. EPA leaders expect to finalize the revised definition by the end of the year.
“We look forward to continue working with the administration to empower locally-led decision-making and protect our nation’s natural resources for the future,”
Palmer said.
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2020 STEWARDSHIP MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE ON NACD'S MARKETPLACE
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NACD’s 2020 Stewardship materials celebrating the theme “
Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators?
” are now available on
NACD’s Marketplace
to download for free.
Pollinators form the foundations of a healthy and sustainable future for food and the environment, but in recent years, they have shown concerning signs of decline. It’s important that we work to help them prosper by enhancing native pollinator habitats and protecting against pollinator declines.
These free downloadable materials provide educators with the resources to promote stewardship and conservation in the classroom.
Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state and national levels. Educating young people about the benefits of conservation helps to ensure the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources.
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2020 NACD ANNUAL MEETING TO FEATURE CONSERVATION INNOVATION FAIR
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NACD's 74th Annual Meeting from Feb. 8-12, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev., will feature a
Conservation Innovation Fair
, aligning with the meeting's theme, "
Conservation Innovation: Working from the Roots Up
.”
How can we better integrate technologies across the public and private sectors to build stronger conservation planning tools for public employees, agronomists, other trusted advisors and farmers/ranchers?
With extreme weather, a growing population to feed, and increasing demands on the environment, collaborators across the public, private and nonprofit sector will join the conversation to address these issues and more at the Conservation Innovation Fair. The Innovation Fair will include Conservation Innovation booths within the NACD Conservation Expo, a VIP preview of the Innovation Booths, educational breakout sessions and a half-day symposium on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. NACD invites all organizations and companies whose innovations help support conservation delivery to participate.
The 2020 Annual Meeting Conservation Expo will give meeting attendees the opportunity to get to know organizations and businesses in the conservation space. All exhibitor information is available online, including
an online registration form
. All standard booths come with one complimentary attendee registration.
To learn more about the Innovation Fair and the Conservation Expo, and to register your organization, visit NACD's
Annual Meeting webpage
. For any questions, please reach out to NACD Director of Development
Laura Demmel
at
laura-demmel@nacdnet.org
or 406-539-4670.
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SEEKING LEADERS
IN WINDY TIMES
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When the winds of life blow our way, what do we do? It depends on who you are. Some complain. Others wait for change. The truly wise ones understand the conditions for what they are, and they adapt to persevere. These realists are our modern-day leaders, and they learned along the way what it takes to adjust their sails and to keep moving forward.
The winds of life blow in other settings too, including in the locally-led work of conservation districts. Adjusting sails in this arena means knowing your strengths and passions, practicing the approaches that work in different settings, and being equipped to work effectively when conflict arises. If you want to understand how to gain these skills, let us introduce you to the National Conservation Foundation’s (NCF)
Next Generation Leadership Institute
(NGLI)
.
This comprehensive program has now officially been launched and is currently seeking applicants. The next generation of conservation leaders are invited to apply to be in the first group of seven individuals to form the inaugural cohort. Together, they will develop their individual leadership skills for the future conservation district movement at the local, state and national levels.
The deadline to apply is this
Friday, Sept. 20
at
11:59 p.m., Eastern.
To read the rest of this blog and apply, visit
NACD's website
.
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GROWING TREES, GROWING CONSERVATION IN OHIO
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Ohio’s
Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) recently teamed up with an organic nutritional supplement manufacturer to convert farmland into forest to grow the company’s mission, as well as the SWCD's community conservation vision.
After purchasing property that previously was used as hayfields,
Muscle Feast
of Nashport, Ohio, contacted the Licking County SWCD and inquired about ways to transition the acreage into forestland that might be used, in part, for its organic product.
“They were looking at ways to enhance their property, and we’re promoting getting more native trees planted on land,” SWCD Administrator
Denise Natoli Brooks said
. “To be able to partner with them, develop that relationship, and highlight the potential to work with other landowners...it fits our mission perfectly.”
The company purchased nearly 3,500 hardwoods and pines out of the 20 native species offered in the SWCD’s annual tree sale, and Licking County SWCD, along with staff from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), assisted with forest management plans and planting.
To date, the partnership has begun the transition on 30 acres, and Brooks said there are continued discussions surrounding land management plans and next steps.
“They’re really just getting started,”
Brooks said.
“We’ve got so many options going forward right now.”
To read the rest of this story, visit NACD's
blog.
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BENTON CD, LOCAL PARTNERS HOST SECOND ANNUAL RIVERFEST
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Like conservation districts across the nation, river systems are critical for sustaining communities and their economies. To celebrate the Columbia River system, the
Benton Conservation District
(CD) in Kennewick, Wash., recently partnered with several local organizations to host the second annual
RiverFest
on Saturday, Sept. 7.
With the motto, "
Our Rivers, Our Way of Life
," RiverFest featured over 73 exhibits showcasing the vital role that the Columbia River plays in supporting commerce, creating habitat for native species, cultivating tourism, and supporting the cultural and recreational activities of the local population. Over 4,200 people attended the event, with an increase of over 1,000 from the first year.
Exhibits offered educating and entertaining materials for people of all ages, with displays such as a large sandbox filled with wheat grains for children to have a tactile experience with, while their parents learned key pieces of information about the local rivers. For example, according to the
Washington Grain Commission
, with several inland ports along the Columbia and Snake Rivers in Washington and Idaho, these rivers transport approximately half of the United States' exported grain per year.
In addition to the various activities at the event,
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse welcomed attendees at the opening ceremonies and honored the rivers for their contributions to the economy and culture of the region.
“Across the nation, it is difficult to summarize what conservation districts do, because we all do something different based on our local needs,"
said Rachel Little, outreach coordinator at Benton CD and member of the RiverFest Steering Committee. "RiverFest is a great opportunity to do what conservation districts do best: bringing people together to meet the needs of our community.”
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Deadline Extended: Promotional Hat Package
Available Until Oct. 6
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The NACD Marketplace is extending its
Promotional Hat Package
offer to
Sunday, Oct. 6
!
Our pre-washed 100 percent cotton twill cap and mesh back cap are perfect giveaways or gifts to promote your district and recognize your employees.
The package includes 12 caps of your choice of colors and styles with your conservation district’s logo professionally embroidered on the front. This special offer includes a discount on the headwear, free logo set-up and free shipping costs.
The
Promotional Hat Package
must be ordered in multiples of 12. To order, visit
NACD's Marketplace
.
To create your custom district logo, please contact NACD Stewardship and Education Coordinator
Diana Blackwood.
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Register Now:
NRCS to Host RCPP Project Webinar
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On Sept. 3, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Announcement for Program Funding (APF) for the next round of RCPP projects, with a deadline of
Dec. 3, 2019
.
NRCS will hold a webinar with more information on how to apply on
Thursday, Sept. 26
at
3:00 p.m. Eastern
. To register, visit
NRCS' webpage
.
For a breakdown of the changes made to RCPP in the 2018 Farm Bill, please visit
NACD’s website
.
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Shifting Farm Safety
into High Gear:
This Week Celebrates Farm Safety Week
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Did you know this week is National Farm Safety and Health Week?
Each year since 1944, the third week of September has been recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This annual recognition, promoted by the National Safety Council, has been made official by each sitting U.S. president since Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The 2019 theme is “
Shift Farm Safety into High Gear
,” which recognizes everyone’s responsibility to prioritize safety on the farm and to promote safe and healthy practices as producers enter the harvest season across the nation.
National Farm Safety and Health Week is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), the agricultural partner of the National Safety Council. To learn more and access materials, visit
NECAS' webpage
.
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Reserve Your Spot:
NACD's U&C Webinar Focuses on
Urban Conservation
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This month's topic for the NACD Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation webinar, scheduled for
Sept. 19, 2019,
from
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Eastern,
will feature two NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) grant recipients.
In “
Partnerships, Pollinators and Cover Crops in Urban Conservation
,” the
Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) in Ohio will discuss how it tackles partnerships and grant writing with a wide net, using real-life examples and stories.
The
Palouse-Rock Lake Conservation District
(CD) in Washington State will feature the Endicott Community Garden initiative, an urban food-producing and demonstration space that also serves as a forum for outreach and technical assistance from the district and collaborating partners.
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,
fill out this online form
. If you have difficulty, please contact NACD Senior Advisor
Debra Bogar
with your name, title, district or business name, state and email address. Information to access the webinar will be sent by email.
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Celebrate National Preparedness Month With This Week's Theme: Prepare Youth
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Did you know September is National Preparedness Month?
This week’s Emergency Preparedness theme is "
Teach youth to be prepared for disasters.
" Are your students prepared for an emergency? It's important for kids to know how to communicate during an emergency.
Review topics with them such as sending text messages, saving emergency contact numbers and dialing 9-1-1.
Learn more about how to prepare children for disasters and emergencies at
Ready.gov
.
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Submit Your Nomination: Hugh Hammond
Bennett Award
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It’s time to recognize those who are making a difference on the land each and every day.
Do you know a landowner who has successfully used and maintained conservation practices to deal with serious resource issues on their land? Do you know a conservation planner who has been effective in helping landowners seek conservation planning assistance?
The deadline for nominations is only two weeks away! Nominations must be received using
NCPP's nomination packet
, outlining how the producer or individual has met the award criteria. Notify your respective NCPP State conservation partner leader and submit your
nominations electronically b
y
Oct. 1
.
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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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