NACD hosted a successful Spring Fly-In on March 25, bringing together nearly 200 participants from conservation districts and partner organizations across the country to Washington, D.C. Attendees heard updates from congressional leaders, including Senator John Boozman and Senator Amy Klobuchar, and NACD President Gary Blair, with a focus on advocating for a bipartisan Farm Bill and sustained funding for conservation, watershed, and forestry programs in Fiscal Year 2027.

“Thank you to our congressional and agency partners for engaging in productive conversations on the essential role of locally led conservation,” said NACD President Gary Blair. “For nearly 90 years, conservation districts have worked hand in hand with landowners to address priority natural resource concerns within their communities. This model works because it is locally led, partnership-driven, and grounded in trust. It depends on strong, sustained investment to continue delivering results.” 

Throughout the day, more than 100 conservation district representatives met with members of Congress and staff to highlight the importance of federal investments to conservation practices. By leveraging state and local contributions, conservation districts help stretch federal dollars further while ensuring conservation solutions are effective, efficient, and locally led. Investments in conservation operations and technical assistance are investments in communities, local jobs, farm viability, and the long-term health of working lands and natural resources. 

During the Fly-In, NACD and the Bureau of Land Management signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen local collaboration in land management decisions, marking the culmination of years of effort. NACD leaders also met with several federal agencies to explore expanded conservation partnerships and innovative delivery strategies.

Participants engaged in regional and individual meetings with agency officials to address local priorities, including wildfire, drought, and water management challenges. Meanwhile, momentum continues for a bipartisan Farm Bill, which has passed the House Agriculture Committee and awaits a full vote, with Senate action anticipated later this spring. Thank you to everyone who joined us and spoke up for conservation districts!

SUPPORT STEWARDSHIP WEEK WITH EDUCATION MATERIALS

NACD's 2026 Stewardship Week will be celebrated April 26 - May 3, and educational supplies covering this year's topic, Soil. Where it All Begins, are available now!

You can find District Education Kits on the NACD Marketplace. Options include a classroom kit for 25 students or a larger kit for up to 100 students. Each kit includes student journals, activity mats, coloring pages, and outreach materials. An optional soil probe is also available for hands-on demonstrations. Several kits are now assembled and ready to ship! Please order by April 20 to ensure your kit arrives in time for Stewardship Week activities.

Further support your outreach with bulk-printed Stewardship and Education materials. Options include guides, student journals, activity mats, coloring pages, stickers, and more, all designed for classrooms and community events. Materials are offered in set quantities at reduced pricing, while supplies last. Orders must be placed by April 10 for bulk materials to arrive by Stewardship Week, but are available year-round. Stock up for future summer camps, field days, and festivals!

These materials aim to make it easy for districts to bring soil conservation education to students and communities across the country. To further support NACD's education efforts, add our fundraiser soil stickers to your purchase. 

Not looking to have materials printed? Many of our education materials are also available for free digital download.

JOIN CONSERVATION COFFEE ON BREWING PARTNERSHIPS

Join NACD's next Conservation Coffee webinar, Brewing Partnerships: Tackling Nitrate in Northeast Nebraska – Producer Outreach and Source Water Protection Through the Lower Elkhorn and Lewis & Clark Natural Resources Districts on April 23 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Presented by Jim Olson, Source Water Protection Specialist, learn how proactive outreach and producer partnerships are protecting drinking water in northeast Nebraska.

Nitrate contamination remains a persistent drinking water challenge across agricultural regions of the Midwest. This presentation shares an outreach model used in northeast Nebraska to proactively engage producers and communities whose water supplies are approaching the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency nitrate maximum contaminant level. The session will highlight communication strategies, measurable outcomes, and lessons learned and explore the value of building a collaborative Source Water Protection Network to expand conservation impact.

Register for free here to join.