Still haven't registered for NACD's Summer Conservation Forum & Tours? You've now got extra time to save! Hosted alongside the Northeast Region Meeting and in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts, the upcoming meeting will take place in Boston, Massachusetts, from August 9-14, 2024. Get all the details on NACD's website.

Our early-bird deal has been extended! After Friday, July 5, prices for registration will go up, so don't delay.

Experience Boston with us by joining the tours! Included in the cost of registration are an Urban Agriculture and Conservation Tour on Monday that will explore urban agriculture in downtown Boston and an Agriculture Conservation Tour on Tuesday that will explore agricultural education, aquaculture, and more.

During the conservation forum, we have an exciting lineup of speakers to share updates on conservation, sustainability, agriculture, and more. These speakers are leaders in their fields and bring a wide array of insights from government, corporate, local, and national perspectives.

Our speakers include:

• Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Terry Cosby
• Katy Galle, Senior Vice President of R&D and Sustainability of Ocean Spray
• Dr. David W. Cash, EPA Regional Administrator
• Ashley Randle, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner

Join us for informative sessions, networking events, conservation tours around the greater Boston area, and more, all exploring the theme "Conservation is Revolutionary!" Learn more about the Summer Meeting, see the agenda, and reserve your spot amongst the action now.

Applications are now open for the 2025 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) Cohort.

NGLI is a year-long training that equips the cohort with the skills needed to build a better tomorrow. Given the challenges facing our land and our environment, there has never been a more important time to invest in the education and development of future conservation leaders.

Ideal candidates are elected or appointed district officials currently serving a conservation district who have exhibited strong leadership and would like to carry that leadership further into service of conservation districts. In these changing times, we need strong leaders that can adapt and carry us through change to allow conservation districts to emerge stronger on the other side.

Applications are now open and will close September 30.

If you have identified a candidate, or think you may be one yourself, check out our website to see if NGLI might be the next step in your leadership journey!

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court released a decision overturning Chevron Deference; a 40-year-old precedent requiring courts to defer to federal agencies in interpreting laws. The decision returns the interpretation of federal statutes to the courts, as the opinion claims is the original intent of the Administrative Procedures Act. Dissenting justices claimed the decision will “likely produce large-scale disruption.” The full effect of this ruling will not be seen for some time, but the loss of deference to agencies will likely reduce capacity to enforce regulations and add an additional layer of court reviews and appeals.

Representative Bruce Westerman’s bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act was recently passed by the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill would simplify and streamline environmental reviews, reduce costs and planning times for critical forest management projects, and foster collaboration between federal, state, tribal, and local entities. NACD endorses the bill.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment has passed a fiscal year 2025 (FY25) funding bill that would decrease funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Similar to the bill passed by the Subcommittee last year, this bill would decrease funding for NACD priorities within those agencies. The full House must approve the bill and the Senate must also introduce and pass their version. NACD will continue to advocate for our FY25 appropriations priorities.

On Friday, NACD submitted comments in response to USDA’s request for information to support the next steps in implementing the Growing Climate Solutions Act. NACD’s comments encourage collaboration with conservation districts and other local entities as USDA facilitates the implementation of carbon markets.

CAPE ATLANTIC CD IS ADVANCING FORESTRY IN

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey maintains a diversity of plant and animal species by ensuring habitat for native species and actively managing invasive species. Atlantic white-cedar stands, which are currently being restored, play a critical role in the state’s biodiversity, benefiting various plant and animal species, including several that are threatened and endangered. Despite forests being the predominant land use in New Jersey, every county is declared “urban.” Development encroaches on forested areas, leading to land conversion, fragmentation, and habitat degradation. To protect forest land and maintain its sustainability, New Jersey manages pests and monitors for others, such as the spongy moth and emerald ash borer.

Following a Northeast Mid-Atlantic Partnership for Forests and Water Meeting in Edison, New Jersey, last spring, which included forestry staff from NRCS New Jersey and other in-state partners, discussions highlighted the challenges and opportunities for New Jersey forest landowners and the state as a whole. In response, Cape Atlantic Conservation District agreed to explore leveraging technical assistance funds from NACD and secured additional funding to establish a forestry program to address these needs.

Cape Atlantic plans to build a program to provide services to private forest landowners and the surrounding municipalities that need forestry services. The initial focus will be on public outreach and handling service requests. As staff members are trained, they will apply to become technical service providers (TSP) to support NRCS programs. One staff member is already a certified American Tree Farm System (ATFS) inspector, and additional staff will be trained to become ATFS inspectors as well. As staff gain experience and responsibilities, the workflow and requests for services are expected to increase as awareness of Cape Atlantic’s forestry services grows.

Cape Atlantic’s forestry program will provide support to private forest landowners and municipalities, starting with introducing communities, stakeholders, and partners to its services. As capabilities and certifications expand, the program will adapt to local needs and explore funding opportunities for sustainability and growth. This initiative marks a significant advancement for Cape Atlantic and New Jersey, promising solutions to ongoing forestry challenges while advocating for sustainable practices and forest health and demonstrates the crucial role conservation districts play in implementing effective forestry practices and tackling sector challenges.

Read the full story on NACD's blog. For more stories like this subscribe to our monthly Forestry Notes newsletter.