This week, NACD held the 2024 Summer Conservation Forum in Boston, Massachusetts. Hosted with the NACD Northeast Region Meeting, in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts, this summer's meeting gathered nearly 300 conservation leaders from across the country to discuss natural resource concerns and solutions.

During Monday’s Conservation Forum, attendees heard from Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, NACD Northeast Region Chair Denise Savageau, Ocean Spray Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Sustainability Katy Galle, Indigo Ag Vice President for Sustainability Sciences Dr. A.J. Kumar, NACD President Kim LaFleur, and NRCS Chief Terry Cosby.

Conservation leaders also discussed natural resource concerns like water quality and climate resilience, and projects like the Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project during a “campfire chat” panel discussion. The discussion included U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Dr. David W. Cash, Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, and Cape Cod Conservation District Program Manager Martha Craig.

During Monday's luncheon, attendees also heard remarks from USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie who was introduced to the stage by the Massachusetts Envirothon team.

Throughout the meeting, attendees heard from conservation leaders who shared their experiences addressing changing natural resource challenges in their regions. Keynote speakers, panelists, workshop presenters, and board members spoke about unleashing the power of partnerships to deliver successful conservation now and in the future.

WORKSHOPS, COMMITTEE & REGION MEETINGS, AND MORE

Over the weekend, NACD Summer Meeting participants and partners gathered for workshops, committee meetings, region meetings, and more.

On Saturday, NRCS hosted two sessions of a PL-566 watershed workshop where watershed programs and sponsor responsibilities were discussed. Attendees learned about emergency watershed protection through different funding sources. In the afternoon, various committees, including the District and Partner Relations, Legislative, and Natural Resources Committees convened for discussion and to hear from subcommittees.

Sunday began with region meetings. NACD Region Representatives provided updates, invited partners to speak, and held conversations with meeting attendees and local conservation district leaders with their respective regions.

NACD BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONVENES FOR SUMMER

Members of NACD's Board of Directors from 38 states and territories met in Boston over the weekend and heard updates and reports from NACD President Kim LaFleur, CEO Jeremy Peters, and Secretary Treasurer Mark Masters.

NACD welcomes the following new board members: Josh Curry from Illinois, Bruce Yerkes from Maryland, and Randy Smith from Minnesota.

The Board of Directors also heard an update on bipartisan efforts to pass a farm bill from staff representing Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stebanow and Ranking Member John Boozman. The staff shared respective leaders’ farm bill priorities, challenges the bill faces, NACD priorities, and more.

During the board meeting, partners spoke during a panel that included NRCS Chief Terry Cosby, Northeast Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils President Craig Hartsock, National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) President Melissa Higbee, and National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) President Tyler Brown. They discussed the importance of partnerships, answered questions from board members, and talked about the future of conservation and natural resources.

Board members also participated in a workshop on persuasive communications, heard committee updates, reviewed resolution changes from this year’s Annual Meeting, and approved the FY2025 budget for NACD.

CONSERVATION IN ACTION: SUMMER MEETING TOURS EXPLORE GREATER BOSTON

On Monday, NACD Summer Meeting attendees had the opportunity to visit three urban sites in Boston to learn about urban agriculture and conservation. Attendees visited with the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) in Charlestown and learned how they are building solutions, rooted in science and an understanding of environmental injustices, so that all people across the watershed have safe and easy access to nature and a healthy environment.

Attendees also visited the Urban Farming Institute (UFI) and The Food Project, to learn about the growing momentum to green cities and how developing more sustainable solutions for urban economic development has resulted in growth in urban and suburban farms.



On Tuesday, attendees are spending a full day exploring Bristol and Plymouth counties south of Boston. The tour takes attendees to a vineyard, a high school leading the way in agricultural education, and a cranberry bog implementing a variety of conservation practices.

Tuesday's tour will culminate in friends and fellowship at a traditional New England clambake. Clambakes originated with coastal Native Americans who taught early settlers how to steam seafood on the shores of New England. This amazing food will close out the meeting!