NACD's Summer 2021 edition of The Resource has arrived! Click the cover above to begin browsing the latest publication from the National Association of Conservation Districts.
In this latest edition, you'll find updates from NACD on:
- NACD's Winds, Water and Wildfires Summits
-
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF)'s first virtual Envirothon, hosted by the Nebraska Association of Resource Districts (NARD)
- How NACD's Technical Assistance grants are boosting local projects
- The 2021 NACD Summer Meeting and celebration of NACD's 75th anniversary
- NCF's Next Generation Leadership Institute, which met in Chicago in July and is seeking new members for the 2022 cohort
- And more!
You'll also read about how conservation districts are continuing to champion locally-led conservation in their communities, including:
-
How the Walworth County Land Use and Resource Management (LURM) Department in Wisconsin has created a community partnership to improve local water quality
- How the Oklahoma Conservation Commission's mentor program addresses soil health implementation obstacles
- How conservation districts are at the forefront of addressing drought
- And more!
On behalf of all of us at NACD, we are proud to be your national voice and highlight a few stories showcasing the phenomenal conservation work being accomplished across the country. We hope you’ll enjoy this edition and can be inspired by your peers in the conservation district family.
To download a copy of this edition, please click on the cover above. Browse past editions of The Resource on NACD's website and please let us know if you have any questions or comments about this edition.
|
NACD'S 2022 STEWARDSHIP WEEK MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE |
Soil is maybe not something everyone thinks about every day. However, soil is an important resource in our lives. It’s the foundation for healthy food production, clean air and water, abundant crops and forests, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes. For these reasons, it is extremely important to preserve and protect soils by advocating and educating generations to come.
NACD’s 2022 Stewardship and Education materials, celebrating the theme “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life,” are now available for free download through NACD's Conservation Education Hub. The development of the K-8 curriculum was made possible through the support and funding of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS conservationists provide technical expertise and conservation planning for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners wanting to make conservation improvements to their land and conserve the nation's soil, water, air and wildlife.
These free, downloadable materials provide a great opportunity for K-8 students to learn about soil health, its benefits and the role it plays in our everyday life. Students will also gain an appreciation for the number of people and amount of work involved in food production and learn how to pursue soil scientist careers.
Next year's Stewardship Week, scheduled for April 24-May 1, 2022, will highlight the importance of conserving and protecting our soil.
|
FRIEND OF NACD DISTRICT GRANT HELPS BEAVER COUNTY CD STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS |
The Beaver County Conservation District in Oklahoma recently hosted a “Surviv’n Blazes Block Party.” The event attracted more than 100 attendees and was a celebration of wildfire recovery and resiliency following the wildfire that blazed through the county in March 2020. The event, funded with the help of a 2021 Friends of NACD District Grant, featured speakers, vendors, demonstrations, games and entertainment to encourage community members to participate in prevention and be prepared for when wildfire strikes again.
The Beaver County CD event coincides with National Preparedness Month and is a reminder for all of us to take action this month and beyond to prepare for disasters and emergencies that can strike at any time. Signing up for emergency alerts, safeguarding important documents, making a communications plan, and putting together an evacuation kit are all important steps that individuals and families can take to be prepared. Learn more about wildfire preparedness at Ready.gov.
Read the full story on NACD's blog. As NACD prepares to launch another round of grant funding this fall, please consider becoming a Friend of NACD to help more conservation districts across the country pursue new activities and novel approaches to their operations.
|
NGLI APPLICATION PERIOD DEADLINE IS SEPT. 24 |
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) invites state and territory associations to recruit a candidate for consideration for the 2022 Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) Cohort. Applications must be received by this Friday, September 24, 2021.
NGLI, a program of the NCF, will train seven applicants over the course of 2022, with the goal to select one participant from each of the NACD regions.
“We look forward to learning more about the nation’s conservation leaders who apply," NCF Chair Brent Van Dyke said. "The selection of the seven participants will ultimately move both NGLI and conservation as a whole forward.”
During the year-long NGLI program, currently-appointed conservation district officials will be equipped for leadership at the local, state and national level through several in-person trainings focused on personal, civic and organizational leadership development.
To learn more about the program, click here, and for testimonials from the 2020 Cohort members, see this video.
|
ICYMI: NACD'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY NEWSLETTER |
As NACD celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, we are releasing a special monthly newsletter highlighting conservation districts' successes over the years.
Entitled "Diamonds Out of the Dust: 75 Years of Conservation District Success Stories," this monthly newsletter features stories submitted by conservation districts and state/territory associations across the nation.
In the September edition, we highlighted the Westmoreland Conservation District's relaunched flood-control project in Jacobs Creek, Dane County Land and Water Resource Department's continuous cover program, and "Soil Health in Cajun Country," an article from NRCS Louisiana featuring the Acadia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
You'll also hear from Rudy Rice, an NACD Past President. He shares his thoughts on why, as a conservationist and producer, it is so important to speak up and share your perspective.
Learn more about our 75th Anniversary campaign and view all past newsletters here. To be featured in the newsletter, share your district's success story by submitting this online form. |
|
NACD Hiring for Multiple Roles |
Membership Director:
NACD is seeking candidates for a full-time Membership Director that will be responsible for providing valuable customer service and coordination to membership through annual membership campaigns, timely communications to members on membership activities and invoices, coordinating effective meeting and events planning, and delivering quality membership services, reports and data management. This position is based in the Washington, D.C. headquarters. Apply by Friday, September 24, 2021 for priority interview consideration.
|
Director of Education:
NACD is seeking candidates for a full-time Director of Education. This position will be responsible for providing assistance to member conservation districts and NACD Board of Directors to advance the association’s conservation education programs. This position can be remote or based out of the NACD’s headquarters office in Washington, D.C. Apply by Friday, September 24, 2021 for priority interview consideration.
Learn more about these and all open positions and how to apply on our website.
|
Last Chance for Breakout Session Proposals |
Now is the last chance to submit a proposal for breakout sessions for the 76th NACD Annual Meeting, scheduled to be held in Orlando, Fla., February 12-16, 2022.
NACD offers a number of informational breakout sessions during the annual meeting, focusing on the work of conservation districts and their partners across the country. Sessions typically run 60-90 minutes long and most often showcase several speakers at 20-30 minutes each.
This year, NACD is seeking proposals that fit into one of four themes:
- Natural Resources Policy & Protection
- District Operations & Partnerships
- Stewardship & Outreach
- Conservation Innovation
Applications can be completed online and must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.
|
Invasive Species Educational Resources Added to NACD Conservation Education Hub |
The Invasive Species: Resource Policy Group (RPG) has compiled a list of resources for K-12 educators on invasive species. Invasive species can be plants, animals and other living organisms that are non-native to the ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
The resources include links to lesson plans, student activities, videos and more. The resources can be found under NACD's Conservation Education Hub, which also includes resources for topics like wildlife, soil health and forestry.
|
Franny Fritz Honored at SDACD Annual Convention |
Franny Fritz of Iroquois, South Dakota, was honored at the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts' (SDACD) Annual Convention for her service.
Fritz has served on her district board since 1990 and has held various positions on the state board for 20 years. Most recently, she served as the NACD Board Member for South Dakota.
|
NCPP Accepting HHB Award Nominations |
NCPP created the award in 2017 to honor the legacy of Hugh Hammond Bennett (HHB) by recognizing producers and conservation planners from within the NCPP partnership who have exemplified outstanding service through development and implementation of sound conservation planning and other conservation techniques. The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence recognizes individuals at the local, state and national level for extraordinary achievements in and contributions to the soil and water conservation movement in the United States.
Nominations must be submitted by October 1, 2021. Click here to submit a nomination. |
SARE Releases Video on Economics of Sustainable Ag |
Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) released “The Economics of Sustainable Agriculture,” its newest animation that describes how practices such as crop rotation and reduced tillage can sustainably improve an operation’s bottom line.
The video is the newest episode in SARE’s “What is Sustainable Agriculture?” series, providing a short and simple introduction to ecological practices that form the foundation of thriving and resilient farm systems.
|
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's Calendar of Events!
|
|
