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Join Michael Retterer of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PF/QF) to learn more about the PF/QF Nationwide Habitat Program for Rights-of-Way and the PF/QF seed program at NACD's next Conservation Coffee on April 10, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Register for free here!
The seed program provides affordable, high-quality habitat mixes that meet and exceed USDA conservation standards and specifications. Through a partner program, conservation districts can serve as points-of-sale for these products and earn 10% unrestricted revenue in the process.
Recordings of all past Conservation Coffees are available on NACD’s YouTube channel. If you would like to present on a future coffee, reach out to Dr. Ariel Rivers, NACD’s Director of Membership Engagement.
| CHECK OUT THE LATEST EDITION OF THE RESOURCE | |
Get the latest news from NACD in our Spring Edition of The Resource! Learn about how conservation district leaders advocated in D.C., updates from the Friends of NACD District Grant program, and everything you need to know for this year's Stewardship Week celebration.
This quarterly publication keeps you up-to-date on your NACD membership services and resources. Check out this, and past editions of The Resource, on NACD's website.
| WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE | |
Senate Republicans passed a budget resolution this weekend, sending the bill to the House of Representatives for a vote. The updated budget addresses border security, energy policies, and the expiration of the 2017 tax cuts. It includes a controversial provision that sets different spending cuts for the House and Senate Agriculture Committees: $230 billion for the House and $1 billion for the Senate. If enacted, committee chairs will be responsible for identifying reductions, as the resolution defers many programmatic decisions.
On March 21, 2025, NACD issued a press release applauding the confirmation of NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt. Chief Bettencourt’s first day was on Monday, April 7.
This morning, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing to confirm Stephen Vaden as Deputy Secretary for the USDA and Tyler Clarkson as General Counsel. A recording of the session is available here.
On Thursday, April 10, at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Kathleen Sgamma as Director of the Bureau of Land Management. The hearing will be broadcast live on the committee's website here.
| STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP NEWPORT COMMUNITY GARDEN FLOURISH | |
By Mary Malone, Pend Oreille Conservation District
When the ribbon was cut and the gate swung open for its grand opening in July of 2022, the Newport Community Garden in Pend Oreille County in Washington state came to life. Since then, the garden has only continued to grow in partnerships, education, and, of course, all the lovely plants.
The Newport Community Garden serves as an educational space located behind the Newport Library for people to learn about gardening and enjoy the beauty of nature, even in the middle of town. As Mandy Walters, Director of the Pend Oreille County Library District noted during her talk at the grand opening, libraries are not just places to check out books – they are a community builder, safe space, and a learning hub.
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The garden has been a true community effort, with a committee made up of members from the Library District, Friends of the Pend Oreille County Library District, the local Washington State University Extension and Master Gardeners, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), the Pend Oreille Conservation District, and the Pend Oreille County Weed Board. Funding was provided by grants from the NACD Urban and Community Conservation Grant Initiative, SNAP-Ed, the Innovia Foundation, and Catholic Charities, with fundraising support from the Friends of the Library. The Kalispel Tribe of Indians donated a $350 metal sign, and plants were provided locally by The Plant Man. Additionally, Apex Innovations delayed another job to build the fence when no other contractors were available.
Since the garden’s opening, monthly educational events have been held, including soil basics, composting, invasive weeds, mushroom growing, berry growing, seed starting, and more. While most events are open to the general public, events have also been held with elementary school students from the 21st Century Learning Center’s afterschool program. The 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool program is a grant-funded program to help students attending high-poverty and low-performing schools meet state and local standards in core academic subjects. Centers must also offer students a broad array of activities that can complement their regular academic programs.
The success of this garden couldn’t have been done without the strong partnerships and dedication of the committee members. We are working together to continue our monthly educational events, with all of us helping with the ongoing maintenance of the garden and raising funds to keep it growing strong.
| | Job Opportunities with NACD | |
Director of Government Affairs
This position is responsible for providing assistance to the NACD Board of Directors and members to advance conservation, resource development, and to assist in the implementation of the association’s federal policies. This role is the association’s primary liaison with Congress, federal natural resource agencies, and groups with interests in responsible management and conservation of natural resources.
Pacific Region Representative
This role is responsible for providing assistance to member conservation districts and NACD's Board of Directors to advance conservation education, partnerships, and membership services related to the Pacific Region (AK, AS, CA, FM, GU, HI, ID, MP, OR, PW, WA). This position will focus on creating and maintaining relationships and increasing the effectiveness of NACD in supporting conservation districts and their state/territory associations.
Interested candidates for either position should apply by Friday, April 11, for priority consideration. Learn more on NACD's website.
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Join the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) in Sioux Falls, SD, on May 6-7 for their 18th annual Conservation in Action Tour.
This year's tour will include farm visits, a deep dive into biofuels, a tour of the U.S. Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, a banquet including the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts, and more!
Learn more about the tour and register here.
| Subscribe to NCF's Newsletter | |
Stay up to date with all things happening with the National Conservation Foundation by signing up for their newsletter, The Conservation Connection.
Learn about upcoming NCF-Envirothon events, Next Generation Leadership Institute 2025 Cohort updates, and opportunities to give and engage with NACD's sister organization.
Sign up today so you're never out of the loop!
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NACD relies heavily on your membership contributions to support our advocacy, education, and partnership activities. We thank those districts who have already contributed dues to NACD this year! If you haven’t contributed yet, you should soon receive an invoice in the mail to renew your membership for Fiscal Year 2025.
If you have any questions about your district's membership, how to pay your dues, or how to access all of your membership benefits, please reach out to us.
| Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events! | |
