Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Friends of NACD District Grants Program through November 30, 2025! 

Interested applicants can apply for up to $2,500 to support a new project at their district. In the past, we have funded workshops, education programs, resource assessments, development of training materials, native plant installations, tree sales, and so much more. Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative and creative approaches to locally led conservation in their community and to propose projects that also generate new funding streams for the district.

To be eligible for a grant applicants must meet the following criteria:

• District must have paid NACD membership dues at any level in the previous fiscal year;
• Projects must contribute to the mission of NACD;
• District must be able to complete proposed activities within 13 months of notification of award and commit to providing quarterly updates to NACD;
• District must not have been a previous recipient of a Friends of NACD grant.

Learn more about the Friends of NACD District Grant Program, download our RFP, and submit an application on NACD's website.

For any questions about the program, please reach out to Jackson Moody at jackson-moody@nacdnet.org.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE ON SHUTDOWN AND ADVOCACY

With Congress failing to reach an agreement on a continuing resolution, the federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, which is now entering its third week. NACD has reviewed agency contingency plans and is tracking impacts to key conservation programs and delivery partners.

Nearly all NRCS and Farm Service Agency (FSA) operations are suspended—96% of NRCS staff and 67% of FSA staff are furloughed—halting most conservation planning, practice implementation, and program payments. The Forest Service continues only essential fire and emergency operations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Interior have furloughed 89% and 82% of their workforce, respectively.

NACD also noted that USDA has terminated several Inflation Reduction Act-funded Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) agreements following rescission of associated funds. Districts involved in terminated projects are encouraged to contact NACD staff and share any resulting impacts.

On October 10, a federal court filing confirmed that up to 4,100 employees across seven agencies have received reduction-in-force (RIF) notices, with additional limited actions reported at EPA. These notices start a 60-day process and do not yet represent final layoffs. NACD will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more information becomes available.

Conservation districts are urged to document and communicate local impacts from the shutdown through NACD’s Impact Survey and to share stories directly with their Members of Congress. NACD emphasizes staying nonpartisan and focusing on how the shutdown affects conservation delivery, local communities, and producers.

Full details, FAQs, and a sample outreach letter are available in the October 6 CEO policy and partnership updates memo in the advocacy section on NACD’s Members Only page.

REGISTER FOR 2026 NACD ANNUAL MEETING

NACD invites you to join us in San Antonio, Texas, for the 2026 Annual Meeting! Hosted in partnership with the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, our 80th meeting will take place on February 15-19, 2026, at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk. Help us celebrate this milestone anniversary—the Oak Anniversary—and explore the theme, "Deep Roots, Bold Horizons."

Registration is now open! Act now to get an early bird discounted rate before December 19. 

This year’s NACD Annual Meeting will start one day later than past meetings. Please keep this schedule in mind as you are making travel arrangements. The first general session for all attendees will be held on Tuesday morning, February 17, not Monday. 

All the details on registration and exclusive hotel discounts can be found on NACD's Annual Meeting webpage. 

For attendees traveling to San Antonio by plane, Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts! Click here to explore itineraries and book flights. You may also call Delta’s Conferences and Events® line at 1-800-328-1111 Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. ET and refer to Meeting Event Code NY3YA. There is no service fee for reservations booked and ticketed through this number.

If you have any questions or if you would like to explore sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities at the event, contact events@nacdnet.org.

LEARN HOW GNA PUTS LOCAL STEWARDSHIP FIRST IN FORESTRY WEBINAR

Join J.R. Logan, Taos County Forest & Watershed Health Program Manager with the TAOS County Wildfire Plaza, and Grace Powell, Forest Health Program Specialist with Taos Soil and Water Conservation District, this Thursday, October 16, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET, to learn more about how Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) can benefit locally led forest stewardship.

The webinar will share how Taos County established a GNA with the Carson National Forest five years ago, enabling various land management activities on federal land and empowering local entities, including Taos SWCD, as co-managers.

Learn more about the benefits of GNA, including opportunities for conservation districts, by registering for the webinar below.

SUPPORT NCF WITH A DONATION TO THE LIVE AUCTION

During the 2026 NACD Annual Meeting, NACD's sister organization, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) will host their Live Auction on February 17 in support of the NCF-Envirothon program and the Next Generation Leadership Institute.

Individuals, conservation districts, and state associations are encouraged to donate unique items for the NCF Auction.

Items can feature local artists, a special product made only in your state or territory, or interesting items with a conservation theme. Popular items have included pottery, jewelry, and “made in” agriculture products.

Submit items at nationalconservationfoundation.org/auction.

The deadline for online donations is January 31, 2026. After that, donations will be accepted on-site in San Antonio.