NACD is continuing our celebration of 80 years with our 2026 Summer Conservation Forum & Tours! Hosted in partnership with the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, our meeting will take place on July 17-21, 2026. Join us for meetings, a forum, and conservation tours to continue exploring the theme from Annual Meeting, "Deep Roots, Bold Horizons."

Registration is now open! Act now to get an early bird discounted rate, available through June 29.

Join us to learn from fellow conservation professionals in a series of breakout sessions! You'll have the chance to dive into funding opportunities, conservation challenges and successes, local working groups, and more in the four following sessions offered:

• Learn about the journey to restoring rapids in the Grand River with Grand Rapids Whitewater;
• Explore how strengthening local working groups leads to clear priorities and strategic decisions with the National Conservation District Employees Association;
• Discover the next generation of farmers with Michigan and Illinois Farm Link, who are connecting retiring farmers and beginning farmers seeking land; and
• Find foundation grants for your district as the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts shares their journey, alongside tips and tricks, to building funding and partnerships through compelling storytelling.

See the full Summer Meeting agenda, including these breakout sessions, tours, the Conservation Forum, and more on NACD's Summer Meeting webpage.

Make arrangements for travel to Grand Rapids with group hotel and flight deals. Book a room in the meeting hotel block at Amway Grand Plaza, starting at $189/night plus tax. You can make a reservation online here or by calling 616-774-2000. Let them know you are booking a guest room with NACD. The last day to reserve available rooms in the room block is Friday, June 26.

Delta Air Lines offers special discounts for the National Association of Conservation Districts. Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Conferences and Events® at 1-800-328-1111, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET, and refer to Meeting Event Code: NY4UL.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION FOR NACD SERVICE AWARDS

NACD is now accepting nominations for two annual service awards: the Distinguished Service Award and the Friend of Conservation Award!

These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Winners will be honored at the NACD Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the Appreciation Banquet on Tuesday, February 9, 2027. Each recipient will receive one complimentary registration to the meeting, two complimentary tickets to the Appreciation Banquet, and a plaque. They will also be recognized in NACD publications and on the association’s website.

The NACD 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. Nominations are accepted from any individual, organization, agency, or conservation district.

The NACD 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. Nominations are accepted from any individual, organization, agency, or conservation district.

To nominate someone, please visit the NACD Awards webpage to submit a nomination using the online nomination forms. The deadline to submit your nomination is August 31, 2026.

To view past NACD award recipients, please visit the NACD Awards Archive. Contact awards@nacdnet.org with any questions.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON?

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Congress continues a busy June schedule, with several oversight hearings and markups relevant to agriculture, conservation, water, wildlife, and federal lands. Several will be held tomorrow, June 10, at 10 a.m. ET, including:

• Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will testify at a Senate Agriculture Committee oversight hearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture;
• The House Agriculture Committee will hold the hearing, “Agricultural Perspectives on the Future of the USMCA;”
• The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing examining the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed FY27 budget; and
• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the Colorado River Basin, including current hydrologic conditions and ongoing negotiations regarding post-2026 operations.

NRCS is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to specific Conservation Practice Standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices. Comments are due July 6.

USDA is offering technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers in the Pacific Islands Area impacted by drought.

NRCS extended Emergency EQIP assistance for Nebraska producers affected by wildfires. Applications are being accepted from impacted producers through July 31.