NACD's 2023 Annual Report has arrived! This past year, NACD, conservation districts, state and territory associations, and conservation partners across the U.S. continued to deliver natural resource and conservation management for working and natural lands everywhere.

In this edition of the Annual Report you'll find updates on:

• Three new grant programs introduced in 2023,
• Activities across NACD's seven regions,
• Friends of NACD District Grants Program 2024 recipients,
• Tips on district outreach efforts,
• NACD's FY2023 finances,
• and more!

You'll also read about how conservation districts are continuing to champion locally led conservation in their communities, including:

• The Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District's Bee Friendly community garden funded through a Friends of NACD grant;
• How the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts is championing equitable capacity building efforts among local partner organizations; and 
• A program from Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District to expand the Master Rain Gardener certification program with an NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation grant. 

On behalf of all of us at NACD, we are proud to be your national voice and look forward to the great work we have already started to accomplish together in 2024. 

FIVE NEW SENTINEL LANDSCAPES ANNOUNCED

Last week, the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, a partnership among the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of the Interior (DOI), announced the designation of five new sentinel landscapes.

• Eastern New Mexico Sentinel Landscape, New Mexico
• Great Salt Lake Sentinel Landscape, Utah
• Hawaiʻi Sentinel Landscape, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Hawaiʻi Island
• Kittatinny Ridge Sentinel Landscape, Pennsylvania
• Mojave Desert Sentinel Landscape, California

In these landscapes, federal agencies, state and local governments, and non-governmental organizations work with willing landowners and land managers to advance sustainable land use practices to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, bolster agricultural and forestry economies, increase public access to outdoor recreation, and enhance resilience to climate change.

Multiple conservation districts and state associations in New Mexico, Utah, Hawai’i, and California are state and local partners to these Sentinel Landscapes.

Learn more about the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership here.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

On Friday, House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson released farm bill text, and a committee hearing to consider the legislation is scheduled for this Thursday, May 23. You can tune into that hearing here.

Today, NACD sent a letter to the House Agriculture Committee recognizing current policy disagreements, highlighting NACD priorities included in the bill, and encouraging the committee to work on a bipartisan basis to pass a final bill as soon as possible. The letter notes that Congress must pass a final bill quickly to take full advantage of the benefits of integrating Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) conservation funding into the conservation title.

Earlier this month, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow released a farm bill framework, which also supports many NACD priorities, including integration of all IRA conservation investments into conservation programs. However, Chairwoman Stabenow and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Scott disagree with several provisions in the House bill, including those that would restrict future updates to USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, restrict Commodity Credit Corporation spending, and remove the current requirement that IRA funding only support climate-smart practices. NACD looks forward to working with Congress to pass a final bipartisan bill that supports our members’ priorities.

NACD will release a blog post in the coming days to share more details on farm bill developments.

SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

As we enjoy the growth of the spring season, we also celebrate the growth of the National Conservation Foundation's programs - including the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI).

A donation of just $100 could help fund a breakout training session for the NGLI flagship program participants.

NGLI is more than just a training program, it's a transformative journey that takes local conservation leaders and equips them to become grassroots conservation advocates in their communities. The ripple effect of this training is profound, extending far beyond the individual NGLI cohort member to positively impact their entire community. 

Will you help NCF get to $25,000? No donation is too small to make a significant impact.