The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) is accepting nominations for the 2021 Hugh Hammond Bennett (HHB) Award for Conservation Excellence! Nominations must be submitted by this Friday, October 1.
NCPP created the award in 2017 to honor the legacy of Hugh Hammond Bennett (HHB) by recognizing producers and conservation planners from within the NCPP partnership who have exemplified outstanding service through development and implementation of sound conservation planning and other conservation techniques. The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence recognizes individuals at the local, state and national level for extraordinary achievements in and contributions to the soil and water conservation movement in the United States.
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The HHB Award for Conservation Excellence has two categories. The Producer Award is presented to a producer who demonstrates a commitment to conservation planning, pioneering new opportunities and leadership in the community. The local field office staff that provides assistance to the producer will also receive recognition. The Conservation Planner Award, independent of the Producer Award, given to an individual who demonstrates a high standard of conservation planning and implementation for customers as well as sharing his/her expertise with others.
Nominations must be submitted by October 1, 2021. Click here to submit a nomination. |
NACD'S 2022 ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA NOW AVAILABLE |
Registration for the National Association of Conservation Districts' (NACD) 76th Annual Meeting is open!
Hosted in partnership with the Association of Florida Conservation Districts, this year's annual meeting will be held in Orlando, Fla., from Feb. 12-16, 2022, at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista at Disney Springs Resort.
Conference registration includes entry into the Conservation Expo, NACD General and Concurrent Sessions, Monday’s Leadership Lunch and Live Auction, and NACD Training Sessions and Workshops. Early bird registration for the discounted price of $470 is open from now until Dec. 16, 2021.
The group hotel room rate at the Hilton is $222 per night plus tax. To reserve your room, click here, or call 407-827-4000 and say you’re with NACD. Room reservations must be booked by Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.
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STAR RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTING IMPACTS OF VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION EFFORTS |
“The Illinois Department of Agriculture commends STAR on a year of growth,” said Jerry Costello II, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director. “STAR is a prime example of how a tool developed by Illinois farmers can encourage improvements in on-farm soil health and downstream water quality. We look forward to working with the STAR initiative to further cultivate conservation on Illinois farms.”
The goal of STAR is not only to evaluate the use of conservation practices, but also to demonstrate the benefits of management changes, encourage improvement and recognize participants for their commitment to nutrient loss reduction and soil health. STAR uses a simple field form to capture information on practice and management activities, assign points to each activity, and provide a rating from one to five STARs.
For the 2020 Crop Year, 385 participants utilized the STAR tool on 155,605 acres over 2,276 fields, more than doubling its use in Illinois compared to 2019. Statewide, over 70 soil and water conservation districts locally administer the program, providing one-on-one technical assistance to farmers and landowners interested in improving their STAR rating.
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KING CD EFFORTS AIM
TO IMPROVE TREE CANOPY NUMBERS
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As part of King Conservation District's (KCD) interlocal agreement with King County, funding and staff time has been set aside to support urban forest health programming in municipalities throughout King County to address tree canopy decline in Washington and the inequitable distribution of urban forests and the benefits that they provide.
“We’ve been able to give the outside technical support to extend traditional reach and work in backyards, public easements and parks and open spaces,” said Ellen Arnstein, KCD Forest Stewardship program manager. “We’re building close relationships; we’re proud to call our member jurisdictions partners.”
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According to the King County 30-Year Forest Plan, data showed a decline in tree canopy in cities from 23 percent to 18 percent over the past 24 years. Though it could take years to significantly increase the canopy, KCD’s 2017 assessment will be updated for 2022 to determine whether efforts – including the urban forest program – have had any impact.
The natural resource conservation interlocal agreement between King County and the district initially was implemented in 2015, when county leaders decided to devote funding to KCD through the county’s tax levy. This next round runs through 2024, with $150,000 annually committed to the district specifically for urban forest stewardship for member jurisdictions identifying and implementing tree canopy projects.
“One of the things we’ve done is reach out to all of our jurisdictions in the county – and they are all different, different sizes, different staffing numbers – so we meet them where they are,” said Arnstein, who coordinates the urban forest program.
In 2020, the first of this second series of funding, COVID-19 restrictions barred any movement to approve plans, so in 2021, pending board approval, $300,000 will be allocated to eight projects representing the next steps in KCD’s conservation and tree canopy work.
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NACD Seeks Director of Communications |
NACD is seeking candidates for a full-time Communications Director based in the Washington, D.C. office.
This position will oversee both internal and external communications and work closely across NACD’s policy, education and member services teams on strategic communications priorities and to ensure successful delivery of NACD’s style, brand and marketing.
Learn more about the position and how to apply here. Apply by Friday, October 8, 2021 for priority interview consideration.
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ICYMI: Summer 2021 Edition of The Resource is here!
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NACD's Summer 2021 edition of The Resource has arrived! Click the cover above to begin browsing the latest publication from the National Association of Conservation Districts.
Inside, find out what NACD has been working on recently and read stories showcasing the phenomenal conservation work being accomplished across the country by your peers in the conservation district family.
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Video Workshop Webinar Series Begins Thursday |
NACD is offering a free, two-part skills webinar series to guide conservation district staff and members on how to create compelling videos. Tell your story effectively using the equipment you already have: your mobile phone, webcam or camcorder.
The first webinar will be held Thursday, September 30 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern; register here for free. The second installment will be held Thursday, October 28 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern; register here for free. |
Registration for the Northeast Region Meeting Now Open |
Registration is now open for the 2021 Northeast Region Meeting! NACD is hosting the meeting in partnership with the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Districts. It is scheduled to be held in Portsmouth, N.H. from Oct 31 – Nov 3, 2021 at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel.
Learn more about all NACD region meetings here.
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Submit a District Success Story |
Help NACD celebrate 75 years by submitting past, recent or ongoing conservation district success stories; a profile of a person who embodies NACD's commitment toward conservation; a successful project; video; or anything else you think should be featured in our special 75th Anniversary newsletter!
Submit your story here to be featured. You can view past editions of the special 75th Anniversary newsletter here.
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Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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