ADVOCATE FOR CONSERVATION AT NACD'S SPRING FLY-IN

Join us in D.C. for NACD's 2025 Spring Fly-In on March 26!

Each year, hundreds of conservation district leaders from across the country travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in NACD’s Spring Fly-In. This event provides our members with the opportunity to build relationships with their congressional representatives, highlight the importance of locally led conservation, and advocate for strong federal conservation policies. This Fly-In is critical for conservation districts and our country’s conservation delivery system.

The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET in the Hart Senate Office Building, room 902 with a Breakfast Briefing, followed by individually scheduled meetings with congressional offices, and will end with a reception at 5:30 p.m. ET in the Russell Senate Office Building, room 325. Please RSVP here.

Learn more about the priorities we are advocating for this year — including impacts of Executive Orders, Farm Bill, appropriations, wildlife, and forestry and wildfires — in our issue papers here.

The NACD Government Affairs team will hold two virtual advocacy training sessions on March 18 and 20 at 4:00 p.m. ET. These sessions will present the same information and provide time for members to review NACD's priorities, learn some tips and tricks for meeting with representatives, and ask the Government Affairs team any questions. You don't want to miss one of these sessions before making your trip to Washington. Register for session one on March 18 here. Register for session two on March 20 here.

Visit the Fly-In page for more information, including answers to your frequently asked questions.

GRAB EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR STEWARDSHIP WEEK

Stewardship Week 2025 is fast approaching! Held from April 27 – May 4, this year’s theme, "Home is Where the Habitat Is," focuses on protecting and restoring native and managed habitats across the U.S. and its territories. This celebration kicks off our full year of providing natural resource outreach to the youth and adults in our communities.

The NACD Stewardship and Education program offers free downloadable resources for 2025, including fun placemat activity sheets, student journals, lesson plan guides, and outreach kits to help districts engage schools and communities in conservation. These resources are ink-friendly for easy in-house printing and can also be ordered at low-cost printed options.

For both Stewardship Week and the Annual Poster and Photo Contests, NACD provides promotional materials, such as posters, rack cards, bookmarks, and stickers, all available as free downloads or affordable printed options.

Don’t forget! On our Stewardship webpage, you will find a Media Toolbox, which includes a press release, radio and TV PSA, and a proclamation template.

Make sure your district has everything they need for a successful Stewardship Week here, or reach out to our education team at stewardship@nacdnet.org with any questions.

PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT PAVES THE WAY AGAINST INVASIVE SPECIES

The fight against invasive species is a growing challenge for conservation districts nationwide. In McKean County, Pennsylvania, the McKean County Conservation District has taken a proactive stance, implementing an Invasive Species Program in 2018 in partnership with the Penn State Extension and the USDA Forest Service. This collaboration led to the establishment of the Allegheny Plateau Invasive Plant Management Area (APIPMA), covering five counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. The initiative focuses on landscape-level management strategies to prevent and control non-native invasive plants, ensuring the health and sustainability of local ecosystems.

The conservation district’s mission revolves around safeguarding and improving natural resources. Through the invasive species program, the district secures funding to implement targeted management efforts, monitors and maps invasive plant infestations, and prioritizes treatment plans. Recognizing that invasive plants do not adhere to boundaries, the district actively fosters collaboration with other conservation districts, agencies, and stakeholders. Sharing strategies, success stories, and best practices is key to developing an effective response to the invasive species crisis. Education and outreach also play a critical role in raising awareness among local residents and landowners about the importance of early detection and control efforts.

One of the biggest challenges facing the district is the ever-growing demand for invasive species management. Public awareness and requests for assistance continue to increase, yet additional funding and resources are needed to expand efforts. Despite these hurdles, the district has made significant progress in treating two major invasive species: Goatsrue and Japanese Knotweed. Both plants pose serious ecological and economic threats, crowding out native species, degrading habitats, and, in the case of Goatsrue, even posing toxicity risks to livestock.

Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the district undertook a major initiative to control Japanese Knotweed within the Tionesta Watershed. This scenic and ecologically significant area was under threat from widespread infestations. The APIPMA collaborative worked diligently to treat small, isolated infestations before they could spread further. Beginning in 2020, 18 landowners agreed to treatment programs, and through further outreach, the number increased to 27 properties. Although initial funding has been exhausted, the district remains committed to providing educational resources to landowners, equipping them with the knowledge needed to continue control efforts independently.

The conservation district’s long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive invasive species program that includes public awareness campaigns, early detection strategies, and effective control measures. By continuing to seek funding and strengthen partnerships, the district aims to equip local citizens with the tools and knowledge needed to protect their lands from invasive threats. With sustained effort, collaboration, and education, the district is paving the way for a healthier, more resilient ecosystem in McKean County and beyond.

Read the full story on NACD's blog.