Under sunny skies and with the smell of fresh-cut alfalfa, conservation leaders from Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana gathered for a meeting of the NACD Northern Plains Region. On June 6-7, in Fargo, ND, conservation leaders exchanged not only information, but inspiration. New and experienced conservationists alike were able to share wisdom with one another, imparting a renewed energy for the work ahead.

The business meeting was held on Monday, June 6, in which each state had the opportunity to share their ongoing projects. Topics included urban ag, aquatic invasive species, and river flow effect on irrigators and endangered species. NACD Executive Board Member Bill Simshauser also provided an update on NACD happenings. The region members were thrilled to have in-person attendance and reports from our Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) partners, and many creative ideas were shared across state boundaries.

The second day of the meeting, Tuesday, June 7, attendees joined a conservation agriculture tour. Local producers in and around the Red River valley showed off the practices being adopted and shared the importance of conserving the soil for future use.

Coming together for this meeting reminded the region that through shared efforts and dedication, our conservation goals can become a reality. 

There's still time to register to join us in San Juan! Hosted in partnership with the Puerto Rico Association of Soil Conservation Districts, this year's meeting will take place from July 16-19 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel. Registration for the 2022 NACD Summer Conservation Forum and Tour is open through June 24, 2022!

With attendance, you will also have the chance to explore the beautiful island of Puerto Rico through a selection of group tours, including through the El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service. On this guided walk, get the chance to see the forest's diverse ecosystem, hosting hundreds of unique plant and animal species, including Puerto Rico’s famous coquí frog. These tours are filling up fast, so register soon!

Information about registration, accommodations, travel, and more can be found on NACD's website.

Wyoming may not be a state that we think of as “traditionally urban”, but the conservation districts still have many opportunities to work on community-oriented conservation projects.

In Jackson Hole in particular, the Teton Conservation District (TCD) and their partners have completed several exemplary projects related to stormwater and snowmelt management, wildlife habitat and fruit gleaning resulting in positive outcomes for both the human and non-human residents of the city.

In this webinar learn from Carlin Girard, TCD Executive Director, about some of TCD’s projects, including the Karns Meadow Stormwater Treatment Wetland, a 40-acre open wetland area located in the town of Jackson. The district manages the wetland in partnership with the city and others as a means to filter snowmelt and stormwater before it flows into a local creek.

We will also hear from Orion Bellorado, Co-Founder of Farmstead Cider. The cidery started in partnership with TCD as an effort to glean fruit from neighborhood trees within Jackson, to prevent bear invasions in town. Farmstead is now a successful local business, with 5 ciders distributed in 6 states.

Join us to hear more from Carlin and Orion about these great community projects in Wyoming!

The Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD) assisted with building capacity for the local food, health, and sustainable ag movement. Staff conducted outreach and engagement with the broader community and raised awareness about the Northside Heritage Meadows project, future beginning farmer training programs, community gardens, environmental equity, ecosystem services, and supporting local agriculture.

RCRCD created the Riverside Food Systems Alliance’s website, newsletters, videos and Facebook pages. RCRCD lead the outreach for the Northside Heritage Meadows (NHM) Project that will establish a 7-acre urban farm with multiple elements, including: 450 trees and shrubs to sequester carbon, a community garden, open space for beginning farmer training and carbon farming, a community co-work learning center, a farm stand, walking trails, native habitat area, and demonstration garden. Watch the introduction to the NHM video here.

 

RCRCD provided ag related support to our partners: Riverside Food Systems Alliance (RFSA), Riverside Food Co-op, Riverside Food Hub, City of Riverside, Riverside Garden Council, Environmental Education Collaborative, and more. Staff presented to about 25 growers about hedgerows and cover crops, especially for pollinators and the Monarch butterfly, during RFSA’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) trainings for farmers.

Finally, RCRCD developed eleven conservation interpretive signs that will teach about various components of healthy soils, carbon capture, and other conservation practices.

 

NACD offices will be closed on Monday, June 20, in recognition of Juneteenth.

Government Affairs Associate: NACD is seeking a full-time Government Affairs Associate that will be responsible for assisting to develop and advance the association’s conservation policy priorities, program implementation, and stakeholder relations. Apply by June 17 to receive priority consideration.

Director of Communications: NACD seeks a full-time Director of Communications to oversee both internal and external communications and work closely across NACD’s policy, education, and member services teams on strategic communications priorities to ensure successful delivery of NACD’s style, brand, and marketing. This position manages project portfolio and grants deliverables with dynamic team of staff and contractors. Apply by June 24 to receive priority consideration.

Finance and Administration Specialist: NACD is seeking a full-time Finance and Administration Specialist that will be responsible for managing general ledger accounting, financial reporting, grants management, auditing, and payroll. Apply by June 24 to receive priority consideration.

Graphic Designer: NACD seeks a contract with a graphic designer who can take direction from written or spoken ideas and convert them seamlessly into images, layouts and other designs. More specifically, we’re looking for someone who will be able to create and design specific conservation elements and images for grade specific curriculum guides that are currently under development. Proposals must be submitted to the project contacts by June 24.

Director of Development: The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is requesting proposals for a part-time Director of Development to lead NCF in implementing a fundraising plan for the foundation. Submittals must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on July 1.

On Friday, June 17, at 9:00 a.m. CT, forestry and conservation leader John McAlpine will participate in a U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee field hearing at Arkansas State University. The hearing is titled “2023 Farm Bill: Perspectives from the Natural State” and will focus on gathering input from Arkansas agricultural stakeholders ahead of the development of the 2023 Farm Bill.

McAlpine has worked as a forester in Arkansas for 24 years and serves private landowners throughout the southern part of the state. He also serves as the First Vice President of the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts, and on the Farm Bill Task Force and the Forestry Resource Policy Group at NACD. His extensive experience in forestry and conservation will inform the discussion and help committee members as they prepare to write the 2023 Farm Bill. You can use this link to tune in! 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting virtual ‘Office Hours’ for users of EJScreen 2.0, the agency's environmental justice screening and mapping tool on June 15 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Office hours are a chance for the public to talk with EPA EJScreen 2.0 experts about many topics, including how to use and apply the tool, technical issues, and any other questions.

All sessions are free, and registration is not required. Join for an open discussion about EJScreen 2.0, and to get your questions answered.

Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events!