May 27, 2021
Welcome to the NACD Southwest Region newsletter, delivering announcements and news to NACD Board Members, conservation districts, state associations and agency leadership across the Southwest. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might be interested - they can subscribe to the mailing list on the Southwest Region Webpage.

Rachel Theler, Southwest Region Representative, CO
Please reach out to Rachel with questions and newsletter content ideas.

Check out NACD's Southwest Region Webpage for continuing updates.
Region Rep Update
I can’t believe a month has gone by already since the last newsletter! That’s the thing about new jobs, they can act as a time warp. One minute it’s your first day and the next it’s been two months!

I’ve enjoyed making connections with folks around the region via phone and Zoom. It’s made me all the more excited to get out and see you all in person. NACD’s pause on travel has been lifted starting June 1, so I’m making plans to get out and visit the region. If there are any meetings you’d like me to attend in your state, let me know. Advanced notice is appreciated, however, as my summer calendar is filling up fast.

The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2021 Technical Assistance Grants is still open through June 6. Assisting districts through the RFP process has been a great learning experience, and I appreciate all the districts who’ve given me a chance to help them. As I talk to districts about their plans for the funds, it renews my passion and conviction in conservation district work. If your district has ever thought about applying but isn’t sure where to start or if their idea would be acceptable, feel free to give me a “no-obligation” call anytime.

The weather here in Buena Vista has been unseasonably cool and wet. I planted my garden this past Sunday, thinking surely I was safe. Monday morning, I woke up to 25 degrees and several dead squash, pepper and tomato plants.

We did take the plunge last month for a float in our canoe down a section of the Colorado River. Despite a gloomy forecast, we decided to go for it. Let's just say the forecast wasn't wrong, and Ryan and I were grateful we had our Little Buddy ice fishing heater with us for the two chilly and rainy nights we spent on the river. And a note for next time: bring more snacks!
Please feel free to reach out to me anytime! I’m here to help. 
Hope to see you all soon!
Announcements & Updates
Register Now for the 2021 NACD Summer Meeting
Registration for the 2021 NACD Summer Conservation Forum and Tour on July 24-27 is now open!

To celebrate NACD's 75th Anniversary, the 2021 NACD Summer Meeting will be held in Chicago, where NACD was born in 1946.

Register now to take advantage of the early full registration rate of $275. Visit this webpage for the online registration link, hotel reservation information, the agenda and COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidelines. See you in Chicago!
NACD Announces Climate Action Task Force
Last month, NACD announced the formation of a Climate Action Task Force to assess current and emerging climate policy opportunities and make recommendations to NACD’s leadership that utilize the technical knowledge and expertise of conservation districts as part of the U.S. solution to the global climate crisis.

The 13 member Task Force includes two members with ties to the Southwest Region: Cindy Lair and Arthur "Butch" Blazer. Lair manages the Colorado State Conservation Board and other conservation programs for the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and is the former president of the National Association of State Conservation Agencies. Blazer served a term as president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. During the Obama Administration, Mr. Blazer served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. He was also the state forester for New Mexico for seven years.

Learn more about the task force here.
New Applicants: TA2021 Request for Proposals Open
The TA2021 Request for Proposals (RFP) for new applicants is now open, with $1.9 million in funding available. New applicants are encouraged to apply by June 6 for funding if their proposals are supported by their state and territory conservation partnership leaders.

If your district has ever thought about applying but isn’t sure where to start or if their idea would be acceptable, feel free to give me call anytime.

For additional information and to apply, visit this webpage.
Save the Date! Southwest/Pacific Region Meeting
The NACD Southwest and Pacific Region Meeting will be August 30-31, 2021 in Jackson, Wyo., at the Snow King Resort. Please visit the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts' website for more info.
A Cool Hat and a Good Cause?!
Shade your eyes in style this summer with a cap featuring NACD's 75th Anniversary logo, a "Diamond out of the Dust."

If you donate $75 or more to Friends of NACD, you'll receive a cap, with "Friends of NACD" custom embroidered on the back, for free. We'll even have some caps on hand in Chicago!

Donations help NACD provide grant funding opportunities through the Friends of NACD District Grants Program. Since 2020, this program has awarded $20,000 in grant funding to support innovative conservation district projects across the country.

Last year, the Sierra Soil and Water Conservation District in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico received a Friends of NACD District Grant to help fund their first-ever Conservation Days summer camp this past July. Learn more about the camp here.
NACD's Forestry RPG Announces June Webinar Series
The NACD Forestry Resource Policy Group (RPG), in conjunction with the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Forest Resource Management and Forest Markets Committees, has organized a day-long series of webinars.
The four webinars will be held on June 22. Each 50-minute Zoom session will feature guest presenters and a Q&A with attendees. Sessions are open to all conservation district staff and forestry partners interested in attending.
For additional information and to register, visit the website here.
Government Affairs
2021 Wildfire Update: Public Policy and Programming
Fire season is already upon us! Click here for an update on wildfire policy and programming from NACD's Natural Resource Policy Specialist, Mary Scott.
Diamonds Out of the Dust
Celebrating NACD's 75th Anniversary
Learn how partners contributed to the restoration of Pronghorn in Southeast New Mexico, a story featured in NACD's limited edition newsletter celebrating our 75th Anniversary! Explore how the fastest land animal is making a comeback by reading the full story here.

Help NACD celebrate 75 years by using this form to share a story you think should be featured in our special 75th Anniversary newsletter.
Upcoming Events
June 22 , 2021 - NACD's Forestry RPG Webinar Series | Virtual

July 24-27, 2021 - NACD Summer Meeting | Chicago, Ill.

July 25-28, 2021 - NCF-Envirothon | Virtual

Aug. 30-31, 2021 - NACD Southwest and Pacific Region Meeting | Jackson, Wyo.

Feb. 12-16, 2022 - 2022 NACD Annual Meeting | Orlando, Fla.
Upcoming Deadlines
June 6, 2021 - Deadline to apply for NACD TA2021 grant funding

June 25, 2021 - Deadline to submit proposals for funding to the Joint Chiefs Landscape Conservation Initiative (JCLRP)