Help NACD recognize the important conservation work being done around the country at this year’s NACD Stewardship Week celebration on the National Mall!
Meet NACD's staff at the USDA’s Farmers Market - located on Jefferson Drive and 12th Street SW, Washington, D.C. – on May 3 between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Eastern to join the festivities as we celebrate our 2019 stewardship theme "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper.”
Our special helper from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Sammy Soil, knows just how to make learning about soil conservation fun. Attend the farmers market for the opportunity to peruse NACD’s 2019 stewardship materials and win a prize by testing your knowledge about soil. Come and share your passion for conservation and the healthy use of our natural resources.
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DID YOU KNOW: THERE'S A SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
MERIT BADGE?
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Since 1910, Boy Scouts of America – which consists of Cub Scouts (grades K-5); Boy Scouts (beginning at age 10 or who have completed fifth grade) and Venturing (ages 14-21) – has overseen programs for millions of children, training them in responsible citizenship, character development and self-reliance.
As part of the tradition of scouting, scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges to reach the highest rank, Eagle Scout. Merit badges are earned by demonstrating sufficient skill and knowledge, ranging in topics from first aid, cooking and emergency services to bugling, dentistry and stamp collecting. In all, there are more than 100 merit badges recognized by the Boy Scouts of America.
But did you know there’s a soil and water conservation merit badge?
The Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge was introduced in 1952 to increase awareness about individuals’ role in and knowledge of conservation.
“We all have a duty to learn more about the natural resources on which our lives depend so that we can help make sure that these resources are used intelligently and cared for properly,” the merit badge pamphlet reads. “Conservation isn’t just the responsibility of soil and plant scientists, hydrologists, wildlife managers, landowners, and the forest or mine owner alone. It must be your duty, too.”
In the Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge pamphlet, the Boy Scouts of America advise scouts to consult with their local conservation districts in identifying opportunities for implementing conservation projects and practices in their communities.
In March of 2019, the
Harford Soil Conservation District (SCD) in Maryland went a step further, revitalizing a program to educate local scouts to help them achieve the requirements of the soil and water conservation merit badge. The district hosted three interactive merit badge sessions, educating a total of 17 scouts about the importance of soil and water quality.
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NACD VISITS WITH
WEST VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION DIRECTORS
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Members of the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts met on Apr. 22-23 in Pipestem, W. Va., for the association’s spring quarterly meeting.
NACD CEO Jeremy Peters attended the meeting to provide an update on NACD’s programs, services and activities. Peters covered NACD’s governance structure, activities and current grant programs, including the NACD Technical Assistance Grant Program, the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Program, Conservation Planning Boot Camp and the Soil Health Champions Network.
Other organizations that spoke at the meeting included the West Virginia State Conservation Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
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BENTON CD
HOSTS SUCCESSFUL SALMON SUMMIT
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Benton Conservation District (BCD) in Washington state annually hosts the largest salmon release in the state. This outdoor education event, known as the
Salmon Summit, is the culminating activity for schools participating in BCD’s “Salmon in the Classroom” program.
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The program allows students to make scientific observations of developing eggs and fish. Schools test the water quality in tanks, making corrections when necessary to keep the fish healthy. While watching the fish grow, students learn about the salmon life cycle. Before releasing the fish, students learn about their habitat needs in local rivers. The hands-on experience of raising fish provides a connection for students to learn about the many functions of eastern Washington rivers.
At Salmon Summit, each student personally releases a salmon and enjoys a day of fun and educational activities.
These activities would not be possible without partnerships with local, regional, state, federal and tribal organizations; and an army of volunteers like the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD)’s Special Service Award recipient
Gene Van Liew
. Even
high school student volunteers
receive training so they can teach some of the activities for younger students.
Salmon Summit teaches children to love local rivers and their many functions and to appreciate how science and technology can inform natural resource management.
This year, BCD’s Salmon Summit served over 3,000 elementary students. They toured 54 learning stations on topics such as high-tech tracking of salmon, cultural significance of salmon, gyotaku (fish printing), agriculture, conservation, recycling, native plants and resource management.
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NCF-ENVIROTHON STATE COMPETITIONS UPDATE
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The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) – Envirothon is in the middle of a busy spring Envirothon season.
Twenty-one states, one Canadian province and China have completed their state or provincial competitions to date, with 30 more to go between now and the middle of June. The top team from each state will compete this summer at the 2019 NCF-Envirothon annual competition July 28 – Aug. 2 in Raleigh, N.C., at North Carolina State University.
For months, these high school students have been studying aquatic ecology, forestry, soils/land use, wildlife and this year’s special topic of “Agriculture and the Environment: Knowledge and Technology to Feed the World”.
This week, seven states - Idaho, Montana, South Dakota (pictured above), Illinois, Missouri, Oregon and North Carolina - are competing, with more competitions on the horizon throughout the month of May. Stay up-to-date on all the winning teams by following the NCF-Envirothon on
Facebook,
Twitter and
Instagram.
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FIELD OFFICE WORKLOAD STUDIES CONTINUE
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The third phase of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Work Cycle Analysis project began this week with training provided via webinars. Several hundred conservation district employees will be participating in the data collection period, which will run 13 weeks.
NRCS Chief Matt Lohr in a message to the 'NRCS Conservation Family' expressed his thanks to all employees participating. “I want to recognize and thank the employees participating in the upcoming field office level cycle time survey that will run from Apr. 29 to July 26,"
Lohr said. "I know it is a major time commitment, but the reward is ensuring we are able to get conservation on the ground as effectively as possible.”
“This survey helps us measure the amount of work we do for our customers across the nation. By doing so, we’re able to staff our field offices more efficiently and continue to provide outstanding customer service.”
As a reminder, the survey includes a few specific questions just for conservation districts and partner employees. NACD appreciates conservation districts' participation as the local government partner in delivering conservation to customers. Conservation districts and their customers will benefit from this improved information on workload, staffing and district activities.
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NACD Seeks
Curriculum Specialist
NACD is seeking a contract with a curriculum specialist to develop a guide for conducting a pollinator conservation field day and a digital counterpart.
The curriculum contractor will work with NACD staff to create specific outdoor activities, lesson plans, quizzes and tests for K-8 students in STEM-based experiential learning, with review from a pollinator-focused scientist.
Interested applicants should submit a proposal to
stewardship@nacdnet.org
by
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
. A complete job description can also be requested at the above mentioned email.
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NACD Publishes
Update on WOTUS
NACD Natural Resources Policy Specialist
Adam Pugh wrote a
blog providing an update on the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS).
In the blog, Pugh provides an overview of the next steps since
NACD submitted comments about the updated definition.
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CTIC Welcomes New Executive Director
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On Apr. 24, the Conservation Technology Innovation Center (CTIC) announced the addition of new executive director Mike Komp to the team.
"We look forward to working with Mike and continuing our work with CTIC,"
NACD President Tim Palmer said. "NACD's longstanding relationship with CTIC reflects how partnership helps us all accomplish more in advancing conservation."
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LAST CHANCE:
Submit a Winning Theme to Win 2020 Annual Meeting Registration
The 74th NACD Annual Meeting will be held Feb. 8-12, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nev. NACD is
accepting submissions through the end of this week for
the annual meeting theme contest.
This year's theme should focus on the concept of innovation.
The person who submits the winning theme will receive
one complimentary registration
to the 2020 Annual Meeting and a ticket to the 2020 NACD Appreciation Banquet.
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Shop for Mother's Day Using Amazon Smile
Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 12. As you shop for gifts online, remember to link your Amazon account to "National Association of Conservation Districts Inc" by visiting
smile.amazon.com
.
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New Jersey Association Seeks Executive Director
The New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts (NJACD) is
seeking a part-time, contractual executive director, responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. NJACD represents the supervisors of the state's 15 soil conservation districts. Send a letter of interest and resume, including professional references, no later than
Friday, May 3.
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Save the Date: WGA Invasive Species Webinar May 1
The Western Governors Association (WGA) is hosting a webinar at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on
Wednesday, May 1, entitled "Species Distribution Modeling and Scenario Planning."
The webinar will focus on a database designed by the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service to develop species distribution models for high-priority invasive plants. To register for free,
visit WGA's website.
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Pollinator Week T-Shirts Back by Popular Demand
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Each year, the Pollinator Partnership hosts National Pollinator Week, held this year from June 17-23, to celebrate our nation's hardworking pollinators.
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The Pollinator Partnership announced Friday they are extending sales of their
pollinator week t-shirts (pictured above). Shirt sales are open until
Wednesday, May 15.
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Soil Health Institute Invites Applications for Posters for Fourth Annual Meeting
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The Soil Health Institute (SHI) is currently accepting invitations to give poster presentations during their fourth annual meeting "Soil Health: A Global Imperative."
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Add your conservation district's tree sale, state association meeting, field day or celebration to NACD's calendar!
Click the button above to submit an event. Events will be reviewed by the website administrator and published to
NACD's online calendar when approved.
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