More than 500 students, teachers, chaperones, and guests have journeyed to Calgary to compete in this year's National Conservation Foundation's (NCF) 2025 NCF-Envirothon competition. This year's theme is “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change,” and invites students from across the world to explore forest ecosystems, climate impacts, and sustainable management through hands-on learning and team collaboration.

During this week of competition, students will work in five key subject areas: soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and current issues. They will have to complete written tests and oral presentations to test their knowledge and skill set. This competition is bringing together students from across the U.S., Canada, and China to build their knowledge and skills in conservation and to foster meaningful connections and conversations with conservationists from across the world. The goal of Envirothon isn't only to foster winners in conservation competitions but also to introduce students to environments they may have been unfamiliar with before.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these outstanding students to Calgary for the 2025 NCF-Envirothon,” said Millie Langley, Envirothon Chair. “This week is about more than competition—it’s about cultivating curiosity, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to conservation. We can’t wait to see the ideas and energy these young changemakers bring to the field.”

For more information on the 2025 NCF-Envirothon, how to get involved, and where to follow all the action during the week, visit envirothon.org.

PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICTS EXPLORE HOW CONSERVATION PRACTICES TRANSFORMED ABANDONED MINE DRAINAGE

In historic mining communities, like the ones found across Pennsylvania, drainage from abandoned mines is commonly the largest pollutant of waterways. During last week's Joint Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, attendees had the opportunity to tour one of the Oven Run Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) passive treatment systems.

In Somerset County, PA, the Oven Run subwatershed feeds into Stonycreek River. With multiple abandoned mines producing AMD, Oven Run spent decades polluted with high levels of iron, aluminum, and manganese, making the water highly acidic and uninhabitable to most organisms. In the 1990s, Somerset Conservation District and partners created a series of treatment sites in Oven Run to improve the water quality of Stonycreek River.

Using a series of curated basins, constructed wetlands, and successive alkalinity producing systems, the treatment sites in Oven Run were able to increase the pH of the water and filter out metal pollutants. Before this project, the water from Oven Run ran orange with iron, was unusable for recreational activities, and had severely degraded ecosystem health. Through this original project in the 90’s, Stonycreek River saw a remarkable improvement in water quality, the restoration of 15 miles of fish habitat, and the creation of nationally recognized whitewater and kayaking recreation opportunities.

These systems were extremely effective for many years, but after 20-25 years of use, they began to fail and required reconstruction of the system. Through years of work, advocacy, and wide partnership collaboration, including work by the Somerset Conservation District and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation District’s Technical Assistance Group, the reconstruction of the Oven Run passive treatment systems was completed in 2022.

Not only did this project maintain the benefits seen in the 1990s, but the systems were also improved upon, allowing the four district-managed Oven Run systems to manufacture 1.6 billion gallons of clean water every year. Additionally, the portion of the Stonycreek River impacted by Oven Run drainage has seen a vast improvement in fish and invertebrate population health and signs of wild trout reproduction since their reconstruction. This project is invaluable to the community and ecosystems around Oven Run and would not be possible without the continued maintenance by a large partnership of non-profits, government organizations, and associations.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

This week, Senate committees are making headway on multiple nominees for key roles within USDA. On Monday, July 21, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry advanced two nominees: Dudley Hoskins to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Scott Hutchins to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. They will now head to the full Senate floor for a confirmation vote.

On Wednesday, July 23, at 3:00 p.m. ET, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry will host a confirmation hearing for Richard Fordyce to serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation. NACD has supported Mr. Fordyce throughout the confirmation process and is excited to work with him in his new role. The hearing will be livestreamed here. President Trump encouraged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to consider postponing the upcoming August Recess in order to advance nominations. While it’s uncertain whether this will move forward, the suggestion highlights the administration’s focus on filling key roles.

Full House floor business has been halted after the GOP-led Rules Committee opted to recess on Monday evening without reporting a rule and with no plans to reconvene. This prevents most legislation, including appropriations packages, from being voted on and passed by the full chamber. House members are planning to depart Washington, D.C., on Thursday to begin an extended August Recess – further complicating fiscal year budgets that expire on September 30. However, House Committees can markup bills that are under their jurisdiction, including appropriations packages that have not yet been sent to the full Floor. This morning, the House Appropriations Committee began their review of the FY26 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Bill, which sets funding levels for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, and other agencies. The current version contains many cuts, including 23% from EPA, 25% from the Bureau of Land Management, and 6% from U.S. Fish and Wildlife. This language is expected to soften as the legislation moves through the House and subsequently the Senate.

NACD'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPRESENT LOCAL INTERESTS, NATIONALLY

Did you know that every U.S. state and territory with conservation districts holds a seat on NACD’s national Board of Directors? We have 58 positions for NACD Board Members and their Alternates, and each of those individuals are responsible for representing the needs and interests of conservation districts within their home state or territory. If you have a specific advocacy issue, a question about NACD’s membership services, want to network with other districts around a specific project or conservation topic, or are looking for certain Stewardship and Education materials, your NACD Board Member is a great place to start!

NACD Board Members are volunteer leaders with our organization, and they must be a conservation district official on a local board (as is the case with all of our volunteer leadership positions, including NACD’s Officers and Executive Board Members and Region Chairs). These individuals dedicate many hours throughout the year to participate in NACD’s business activities, including setting policy priorities for our advocacy efforts, approving our budget (which allows for NACD’s day-to-day operations), and actively serve on our committees, where we make many decisions about the type and scope of services we offer to members.

However, to best represent districts nationally, they must hear from you! Learn more about the many activities they conduct with NACD, and how to contact them on our blog.