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 this year's theme, "Deep Roots, Bold Horizons."

There is still time to register online! Online registration ends this Friday, July 10, so be sure to register today to secure your spot.



Join us to learn about natural resources and locally led conservation in Michigan on Monday's and Tuesday's tours.

On Monday, participants will explore the story of the Grand River on a guided walking tour. Local experts from the Grand Valley Metro Council and the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds will share insights into the river’s dynamic ecosystem—highlighting fish migrations, floodplain function, water quality, habitat restoration, and the challenges posed by invasive species and historic development. Afterwards, the tour will head to the 158-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, which blends horticulture and artistic expression. From Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory to an eight-acre Japanese garden, the park’s 16 gardens and over 200 sculptures offer visitors a distinct experience in every season.

The next day, attendees will head out on a day-long tour with stops at Mast Young Plants, a five-acre-plus commercial greenhouse that grows more than 1,500 varieties of annuals, perennials, and cut flowers; the Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm Market, a fourth-generation farm that is a bustling agritourism business with a market, concert stage, and more; the Schwallier’s Country Basket, a family-owned business adapting to meet new economic and climate-related challenges; Plainsong Farm, a Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program verified farm working to foster a sustainable and community-driven food system; and the Cannonsburg State Game Area, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant recipient addressing habitat degradation, wildlife management, and hunting opportunities. 

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

JOIN CONSERVATION COFFEE ON HABITAT UNIVERSITY

Join NACD for the next Conservation Coffee webinar on July 9 at 3:00 p.m. ET to learn about Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever’s (PF/QF) Habitat University and Habitat University Pro!

Both are free, skills-based habitat and conservation training resources. The Pro version is for conservation professionals—current and aspiring—committed to professional development and delivering conservation technical assistance. Habitat University offers flexible online learning, certificates, hands-on opportunities, and more to help you succeed in your habitat projects.

Come learn from Catherine Beall and Laura Newberg, PF/QF Training Program Coordinators, on how Habitat University can help your district and the land stewards you serve!

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON?

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Congress Returns Next Week; Farm Bill Activity Expected to Continue

Congress is currently in the Independence Day district work period and is scheduled to return next week. Following the release of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill discussion draft in late June, we are hearing that the Committee may move toward a markup later this month. NACD will be closely tracking Farm Bill developments and will continue engaging as negotiations move forward.

MARKETS MATTER CONVENING EXPLORES FUTURE OF FOREST STEWARDSHIP

NACD recently participated in the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities’ Markets Matter Convening in Madison, Wisconsin. The meeting brought together leaders from across forestry, conservation, government, industry, and investment sectors to examine a growing challenge facing forests and communities alike: how do we create durable markets and infrastructure capable of supporting long-term forest stewardship?

One of the clearest messages throughout the convening was that many of today’s restoration challenges are no longer viewed solely as ecological challenges. Increasingly, they are being viewed as economic challenges. Participants repeatedly pointed to declining processing capacity, workforce shortages, transportation costs, and limited markets for low-value wood as significant barriers to restoration efforts across the country.

The discussions highlighted a growing disconnect between forest conditions and market conditions. While forests continue to produce large volumes of low-value material, many communities lack the infrastructure and utilization pathways needed to put that material to use. As a result, forests needing treatment often coexist with shrinking processing capacity, contractor shortages, and limited economic opportunities tied to restoration work.

Much of the convening focused on the role of existing forest products infrastructure in supporting long-term forest health. Participants emphasized that sawmills, pulp and paper facilities, panel manufacturers, and other processing infrastructure remain critical components of restoration systems. While emerging opportunities, such as biochar, biomass utilization, mass timber, and advanced wood products continue to gain attention, discussions consistently returned to the importance of maintaining the workforce, transportation networks, and processing capacity necessary to support both existing and future markets.

These conversations closely mirror concerns conservation districts continue to raise across the country. Districts regularly identify workforce limitations, infrastructure gaps, restoration economics, watershed concerns, and long-term stewardship capacity as interconnected challenges affecting their communities.

Read NACD's full recap of the Markets Matter Convening to learn more about the discussions and key takeaways.