NACD is now accepting breakout and training session proposals for the upcoming 2027 Annual Meeting to be held in Las Vegas, NV, on February 6-10, 2027!

Breakout sessions spotlight the work of conservation districts and partners across the country. We are also accepting proposals for training sessions to help conservation district board members and employees build their skillsets. Sessions typically last an hour and often showcase several speakers.

This year, NACD is seeking proposals that fit into one of four themes:

• Training – Professional development and technical training
• District Management: Embracing Change – Examples of districts overcoming challenges, adding new projects or technical capabilities, responding to change, and developing strategies for resilience
• Conservation Innovation – Use of innovative approaches and technologies
• Partnerships for Impact – Partnerships and innovative ways districts are growing capacity

NACD's breakout and training sessions are some of the most popular activities among meeting attendees and provide a platform for districts to share their initiatives with one another. Spread the word about this opportunity and consider submitting a proposal by October 2, 2026!

If selected, speakers are responsible for their registration, lodging, and travel expenses.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your proposal before submitting, please reach out to the NACD Membership Team.

LAST CALL FOR NACD AWARD NOMINATIONS

NACD is accepting nominations for the 2026 Service Awards through August 31. Nominations can be made by an individual, organization, agency, or conservation district.

The Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association/conservation district family for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources. Any individual, business, organization, or agency that is not directly associated with conservation districts at the local, state, or national level is eligible to receive this award.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within a conservation district, a state association, or NACD that has made outstanding contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources. Nominees are individuals involved with districts or the association at any level — board members or staff — and can be nominated posthumously.

Recognize outstanding conservation work by submitting a nomination for either of these service awards. Recipients will be honored at NACD’s Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.

DISTRICTS RECRUIT PRODUCERS FOR NATIONAL SOIL HEALTH CAMPAIGN

USDA’s NRCS and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have developed a soil health tool to help producers, conservation planners, and consultants better understand how soil health practices impact agricultural productivity. The tool is called the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (SHAPE).  

SHAPE has been built over the past several years using selected soil samples collected across many states. The project is now launching a nationwide campaign called “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health” to ensure that enough samples are available from all the respective soils and land uses, such as cropland, range, pasture, woodland, etc. in states and territories to calibrate the model that supports the tool. SHAPE will be freely available online and as a smartphone app when it launches in 2029. 

NRCS has asked NACD for help raising awareness of SHAPE among state and territory associations of conservation districts and their respective districts. State and territory associations are collaborating with NACD and NRCS to recruit producers to participate in the campaign. Producer participation consists of scheduling and completing a survey during a facilitated, one-hour virtual meeting with a project facilitator about the management on the field(s) where the soil samples will be obtained and granting access to SHAPE contractors to their field(s) for soil sampling. The producer’s local conservation district is also invited and requested to be a part of the virtual meeting. The benefits of participation for producers include a small stipend, a personalized soil health report, and a copy of a book—upon project completion—illustrating soil health outcomes across the country.  

State and territory associations of conservation districts are coordinating with their respective conservation districts to promote and obtain the needed participation in the campaign. This is a great opportunity for conservation districts to build and strengthen partnerships with producers in their communities.  

Since this project has been underway for some time, state extension services, certified crop advisors, research scientists, and others have also been communicating about it. You may encounter such communication as the nationwide campaign ramps up. 

This short video provides more in-depth background on SHAPE and the “Probing Our Country’s Soil Health” campaign. To learn more and find out how your district can support the campaign, please reach out to your state or territory association, your respective NACD Region Representative, or NACD Senior Advisor Rich Duesterhaus. 

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON?

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Forest Service Proposes Changes to Travel Management Rules

On August 24, the U.S. Forest Service initiated a rulemaking process to revise its national travel management regulations for National Forest System lands. The proposal would establish a national presumption that existing roads, trails, airfields, trailheads, and other access points are open to appropriate public use unless restrictions are required by law or supported by documented resource, safety, use-conflict, or maintenance concerns. The Forest Service said the changes would provide greater flexibility for local land managers to make access decisions based on site-specific conditions. Public comments are due September 23.

USDA Extends Emergency Conservation Program Deadline for Nebraska Wildfires

On August 24, USDA’s Farm Service Agency extended the application deadline for the Emergency Conservation Program in Nebraska counties affected by March wildfires. Producers in eligible counties now have until October 26 to apply for assistance to restore farmland and ranchland damaged by the fires. Approved applicants may receive up to 75 percent of eligible restoration costs, subject to program limits.

USDA Announces Disaster Assistance for Hawaii

On August 24, USDA announced disaster assistance for agricultural producers in Hawaii affected by Hurricane Lala. Available programs can provide assistance for crop, livestock, land, and infrastructure losses, while USDA Service Centers will help producers identify available recovery programs and technical assistance. 

Upcoming Important Dates

• August 31: ARC/PLC base-acre adjustment deadline
• September 14: Senate returns from August recess
• September 21: Comments due on proposed Roadless Rule rescission
• September 23: Comments due on proposed Forest Service travel management changes
• September 30: FY2027 funding deadline and end of fiscal year
• October 26: Extended ECP application deadline for eligible Nebraska wildfire counties

DID YOU KNOW? NGLI DEVELOPS CONSERVATION LEADERS

The National Conservation Foundation's (NCF) Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) is a year-long program that helps conservation district officials develop and polish their leadership skills. This program was created in 2019 to equip conservation district leaders with the skills they need to rise to leadership positions within NACD, their state associations, and other civic and non-profit groups. 

Participants attend monthly virtual meetings focused on leadership, travel to three in-person meetings to put their new skills into action, and develop a capstone project focused on a topic of their choosing. While the program is intensive, alumni have completed NGLI while continuing to work and take care of their family.  

What makes this program special is that individuals bring their personal experiences and challenges into the small group setting. This makes learning directly relevant to the work they are doing at home. Cohorts typically develop relationships with each other that continue well beyond the year-long program. They become a resource for one another, sharing experiences and lessons learned from their work in different parts of the country. 

Steve Gilje, NACD Board Member for North Dakota and a member of this year’s cohort, knew the value of NGLI through his associations with past participants. One lesson from NGLI is already helping Gilje in his work on boards.

“The program taught me to slow down and recognize that people bring different perspectives and ways of communicating to the table,” said Gilje. “Understanding those differences has helped me be more thoughtful in how I respond and more open to other points of view.” 

Josh Smith, NACD Southwest Region Executive Board Member and 2022 NGLI alumni, said the program has had a significant impact on both his professional life and his role with NACD. He credits the skills he gained through NGLI with helping him obtain his current position managing an irrigation district. He also credits the program with helping him grow into his current leadership role with NACD. 

Smith found the program’s government affairs training one of its most valuable components. During time in Washington, D.C., participants learned how to advocate effectively and communicate with legislators and committees. “They literally just taught us how to advocate and engage with policymakers,” Smith said.  

Smith brought what he learned in NGLI back to his home district. The district used that knowledge to pursue new funding opportunities and grow from one contractor to four full-time employees. The expanded funding base has given the district the capacity to take on more conservation work. 

The value of NGLI is evident in what participants do after completing the program. Its 37 graduates have taken on a variety of greater leadership roles within their districts, state associations, and NACD, while others have used what they learned to strengthen their careers and conservation work at home. NACD’s President Elect, Mark Masters, and Second Vice President, Ryan Britt, are both graduates of NGLI. 

When asked whether NGLI is worthwhile for someone who is not necessarily looking to become an NACD leader, Smith was clear: “Absolutely. If you're going to be doing anything involving advocacy or working with boards, state or national associations, or local government, I'd say it's absolutely worthwhile.” 

Interested in NGLI? 

NGLI is open to any elected or appointed conservation district official in the United States or its territories. Current tuition is $1,200, with scholarships and payment plans available. The value of the program far exceeds the tuition payment. Along with the training, all travel expenses, meals, and lodging are covered for program participants. The application includes support from the applicant’s conservation district and state or territory association. Visit the National Conservation Foundation’s NGLI webpage for program, application, and cost information. The application for the 2027 NGLI Cohort will open on September 1. 

Read more about the NGLI program on NACD's blog.