The Caribe Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) diverse clients face some common challenges. As Gelyan Reyes, former district Soil Conservation Technician recently hired by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) explains, “soils in this region tend to be overworked, and chemical fertilizers overused, impacting water quality. Storms, like Hurricanes Irma and Maria, further contribute to soil erosion and landslides.”

With the help of Technical Assistance (TA) grant funding from NACD, the Caribe SWCD provides conservation technical assistance and planning support to producers. The Caribe SWCD also helps producers access funding and implement conservation best management practices through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

A free membership program the Caribe SWCD launched in 2020 is one creative way the district is further helping to meet the needs of their producers. The program, now 200 members strong, acknowledges producers’ commitment to conservation with a certificate, and offers members a variety of benefits, like training opportunities, technical assistance and access to a network of peers for sharing information and addressing issues.

The Caribe SWCD has also attracted new partners and volunteers to their conservation mission. As part of an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, the Caribe SWCD completed 18 forest management plans for landowners in less than a year, helping to raise the conservation awareness of farmers and landowners and the need for more funding to meet their goals.

Learn more about the Caribe SWCD’s efforts in this blog post and recognize the contributions to conservation made by Hispanic Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month.

As NACD celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, we are releasing a special monthly newsletter highlighting conservation districts' successes over the years.

Entitled "Diamonds Out of the Dust: 75 Years of Conservation District Success Stories," this monthly newsletter features stories submitted by conservation districts and state/territory associations across the nation.

In the October edition, we highlighted Pickin' at the Park, a bluegrass music festival for conservation hosted by Warren, Greene and Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) in Ohio, Taos SWCD's efforts battling noxious weeds, Congress's recognition of NACD's anniversary and more.

You'll also hear from John Redding, an NACD Past President. He shares his journey with conservation and his thoughts on the legacy of NACD.

Learn more about our 75th Anniversary campaign and view all past newsletters here. To be featured in the newsletter, share your district's success story by submitting this online form.

Have you submitted your state winning posters and photos yet? You still have time before the Dec. 1, 2021 deadline to give your students the chance to compete in NACD's National Photo and Poster Contest and have their art recognized and displayed at NACD's Annual Meeting.

The annual poster contest is open to students K-12 and celebrates the 2021 Stewardship theme “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities”

The national photo contest is open to all amateur photographers who reside in the U.S. or its territories. Submissions for both contests are due Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.

To learn more and submit your entry, visit NACD's website.

Maine’s Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has partnered with the Maine Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, conducting research to bring back forest chestnut trees.

“We have a huge bear population and a growing wild turkey population that rely heavily on nut bearing trees to get through the winter,” Central Aroostook SWCD Executive Director Randy Martin said. “They are forced to look for sustenance in areas they would not otherwise.”

Residential areas have been hit with wildlife tearing down feeders and storming through landscapes in search of food. “As the wildlife goes into winter with inadequate fat reserves, some have not made it through to the following spring,” Martin said.

The district teamed up with The American Chestnut Foundation to combat Cryphonectria parasitica, the blight disease that attacks and kills the trees. Armed with about 30 chestnut seedlings, the district began working on the seedlings to clone for blight resistance. The district’s efforts have prompted the Maine Chapter of the Foundation to donate another 300 seedlings.

“We’re really very excited,” Martin said. “The American chestnut has been almost obliterated. If we can pull these trees through, then after this winter we’ll have enough clones that we can partner with other districts and other states to distribute the resistant clones.”

Martin and Maine Forester Ethan Hill are using explants from nut-bearing native trees and four hybrid clones that were developed by crossing the American chestnut and the Chinese chestnut, which is resistant to the blight.

Like the district’s Neonectria-resistant American beech tree project, Martin is working on establishing a basal medium so that he can determine the optimum growth regulators for the best results. Tissue collections will be cultured and grown in the lab. When the clones reach six-feet tall, they will be planted in trials and monitored. Martin and Hill hope to be able to plant chestnuts in the spring of 2023, some in a six-acre wildlife habitat demonstration.

Read the full story on NACD's blog. To learn more about this project, please contact Martin at centralaroostookswcd@gmail.com.

On Monday, Oct. 24, NACD welcomed Terrence Curtiss as the new Director of Membership.

Curtiss is based in the Washington, D.C. office and can be contacted at terrence-curtiss@nacdnet.org.

South Central Region Representative: NACD is seeking a full-time South Central Region Representative that will be responsible for providing assistance to NACD members and board of directors to advance conservation and resource development, and assist in the implementation of NACD’s policies related to the South Central Region (AR, LA, OK, TX). This is a service-oriented position with a focus on creating and maintaining relationships and increasing the effectiveness of NACD in supporting conservation districts and their state associations.

This position is located in the South Central Region and reports to the Director of Education. Apply by Friday, Nov. 12 for priority interview consideration.

Stewardship and Education Coordinator: NACD is seeking a full-time Stewardship and Education Coordinator to assist with the management of a national outreach program and online marketplace in support of NACD’s national conservation education objectives. This position also supports a growing portfolio of conservation education resources as well as other duties that accomplish NACD’s goals.

This position is located at NACD’s headquarters office in Washington, D.C., and reports to the Director of Education. Apply by Friday, Nov. 12 for priority interview consideration.

Learn more about these and all open positions and how to apply here.

The first webinar was held previously and the recording can be found here.

The second installment of this series will be held Thursday, October 28 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern; register here for free.

Jared Stone was selected as the South Central Regional Auxiliary's $350.00 scholarship winner. Stone is a graduate of Chandler High School in Oklahoma. He is currently a freshman at Oklahoma State University (OSU) majoring in animal science biotechnology with plans to attend veterinary school. He is active in the OSU Quarter Scale Tractor Team and Freshman Transition Leadership Program. In high school, Stone was active with the National Honor Society, Academic Team, Archery Team, BancFirst Student Board of Directors, 4-H and FFA.

Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's Calendar of Events!