NACD’s 2022 Fly-In will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 22. Though traveling to Washington, D.C. will not be possible this spring due to ongoing concerns with COVID-19 and limitations on visiting Capitol Hill, it is still incredibly important that your members of Congress know the needs of locally-led conservation so conservation districts can receive adequate support to continue protecting our nation’s natural resources.
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NACD’s Government Affairs team will be hosting another advocacy training via Zoom at 3:00 p.m. Eastern on March 10 for members and partners participating in the Virtual Fly-In. In addition to a review of the issue papers, the advocacy training will review what to expect when meeting with legislators, how to prepare, and the basics of connecting with policymakers. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask any questions about the upcoming meetings or NACD’s available resources. To view the 2022 Issue Papers and other resources, please visit the Spring Fly-In Event page on NACD’s website.
Please contact NACD Director of Government Affairs Chris Young at chris-young@nacdnet.org if you have any qu estions about NACD’s Virtual Fly-In, the Zoom training, or if you need additional information.
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DID YOU KNOW?: NCF & CNFA HAVE AN MOU IN SUPPORT
OF FARMER-TO-FARMER PROGRAM
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In early 2020, just as the world was entering into the pandemic, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the organization Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) to conduct joint activities in the CNFA Farmer-to-Farmer Program (F2F) Program.
The F2F program provides technical assistance to farmers, farm groups, agribusinesses, and other agriculture sector institutions in developing and transitional countries to promote sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing, production, and marketing. The main goal of the program is to generate sustainable, broad-based economic growth in the agricultural sector through voluntary technical assistance. A secondary goal is to increase the U.S. public’s understanding of international development issues, programs, and international understanding of the U.S. and U.S. development programs.
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CNFA recruits highly-trained, exceptionally qualified volunteers — with years of experience in their respective fields — who offer their time and energy to provide technical assistance to farmers and entrepreneurs. Volunteers are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Hosts are private farmers, cooperatives, community groups, credit institutions, extension services, input supply firms, and agribusinesses. The program leverages the expertise of U.S. farmers, researchers, and agribusiness professionals as volunteers to provide technical assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs in the Southern Africa region and in the European country of Moldova. CNFA currently implements F2F in Madagascar, Malawi, Moldova, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
NCF and CNFA are identifying opportunities for F2F program participation in the coming year and more information will follow on specific volunteer opportunities for this worthwhile international education and leadership development program.
Additional information can be found on the CNFA website.
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OACD HOLDS 84TH
ANNUAL MEETING
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The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) held its 84th Annual Meeting in Edmond, OK from February 27 – March 1. Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell greeted attendees with a message about progress in agricultural development in the last year as well as moving forward with conservation of the state's valued natural resources.
The agenda included concurrent sessions on regenerative ag practices by Jimmy Emmons, principals of biological systems by Dan Kittridge, grant writing 101, the CARE program's participants in Oklahoma, and district cost share opportunities. During the Monday night banquet several awards were given out, including the Leopold Conservation Award which was presented to Katie Blunk for her work on the Lazy KT Ranch just outside of Freedom, OK. NCF Chair Brent Van Dyke also presented on the successes of NCF across the country and leadership development it provides to its participants.
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NACD South Central Region Representative Wesley Gibson presented on the accomplishments in the South Central Region and in Oklahoma. Gibson showcased successes and opportunities through programs such as the Technical Assistance grants and Urban Ag Conservation grants. Gibson also reviewed NACD's resources available for conservation districts and district boards.
To learn more about OACD's programs, events, and awards, visit their website.
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REGISTER NOW FOR
MARCH U&C WEBINAR
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Want to learn more about opportunities available for districts through the Coastal Resource Resiliency Fund? Join the upcoming Urban and Community (U&C) webinar! This webinar will feature speakers from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) to help participants navigate this grant opportunity.
NCRF’s Field Liaisons Joanne Throwe and Kyle Gray, from Throwe Environmental, will describe how conservation districts can help communities take advantage of NCRF funding to make long-term investments in coastal resilience and ecosystems.
In this webinar, participants will:
- Learn about the NCRF funding opportunity and the kind of projects that would be eligible for funding
- Meet the Throwe team that can help identify stronger, more competitive, and more successful proposals
- Get feedback on project ideas during the Q&A
This is a great opportunity for staff of municipalities, counties, tribal organizations, state and federal agencies, NGOs, land protection organizations, academic institutions, and more to learn about this great program.
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CONSERVATION PROJECT 'BEE-FRIEND LOCAL POLLINATORS' IN SOUTH CAROLINA
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The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Columbia, SC, received a joint NACD-NRCS Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Grant in 2020 to develop a pollinator demonstration area at a County park in Southeast Richland and to conduct pollinator conservation outreach for agricultural producers, educators, and home and community gardeners.
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Grant funding helped rehabilitate, expand, and maintain the pollinator demonstration area, which is located on the site of a former/defunct community garden and includes 12 raised beds. “This garden [models] plant selection and maintenance practices that encourage pollinators,” said Anne Marie Johnson, Pollinator Garden Manager.
The COVID-19 pandemic required several modifications to the Richland SWCD’s project plan. Richland County facilities, including Pinewood Lake Park where the demonstration garden is located, were closed to the public from March, 2020 through July, 2021. This closure delayed the recruitment and training of community volunteers to assist with garden management. It also forced educational outreach associated with the project to pivot from the planned in-person workshops, garden tours, and other presentations to digital means such as webinars and educational videos.
Ultimately, Richland SWCD worked with the Richland County Public Information Office to produce a series of 18 short videos on a variety of pollinator conservation topics, ranging from Integrated Pest Management to the importance of habitat features such as snags and log piles for pollinator survival. These videos were shared through e-newsletters and social media, and they have reached nearly 20,000 views!
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The district also hosted two pollinator conservation webinars—one targeting home and community gardeners in partnership with Richland County Stormwater Management and Solid Waste and Recycling, and the second targeting teachers and environmental educators in partnership with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, SC Wildlife Federation, SC Garden Based Learning Network, Environmental Education Association of SC, and other sponsors.
In spring 2021, garden management was transferred to a community volunteer who is now coordinating volunteer workdays and seeking funding opportunities to expand the garden’s impact and outreach.
While pollinating animals are critical to agriculture in South Carolina, Richland SWCD Chairman Kenny Mullis says “pollinators are facing many challenges, including habitat loss. We hope our work can help educate the community about the importance of pollinators and showcase things we can do in our own home and community gardens to support pollinator health.”
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Leopold Conservation Award Expands Program to New States
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The Leopold Conservation Award Program recognizes agricultural landowners actively committed to a land ethic. Sand County Foundation, national sponsor American Farmland Trust, and several prominent state conservation partners present the prestigious honor, which consists of $10,000 and a crystal award, in settings that showcase the landowners’ achievements among their peers.
This competitive award is currently presented in twenty-five states across the U.S. For the first time, owners of farm and forest land in Iowa may apply for the award themselves or be nominated by another party. The Iowa application can be found here. Apply before July 1, 2022 to be considered.
Sand County Foundation is looking to expand the award program to other states! To see if your state is partnered for this award, or to learn about how to bring the award to your state, visit this website.
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NCF-Envirothon Partners with University of Delaware for Career Showcase
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Each year, thousands of students from across the U.S., Canada, and China participate in the National Conservation Foundation's (NCF) Envirothon program. Through NCF-Envirothon, students are introduced to a wide array of career opportunities in environmental, natural resource, and conservation fields – finding a passion they want to turn into a career.
All high school students are invited to attend to learn how to turn their passion for the environment and natural resources into action, education, and employment opportunities!
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Conservation Drainage Network Hosts Upcoming Annual Meeting
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The Conservation Drainage Network (CDN) is hosting their 2022 Annual Meeting April 6-8 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, IN. There will also be an online viewing option for those who are unable to attend in-person.
The CDN is an international partnership with the goal of improving drainage practices to meet future demands of crop production while reducing adverse environmental impacts. The CDN meeting brings together a diverse set of stakeholders to learn about the latest in conservation drainage and implementation strategies while providing networking opportunities for future collaborations.
Early registration runs through March 15 and regular registration is open until April 1. Learn more about the event and register here.
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NFWF Accepting Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2022 Grant Propsals
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T he National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's (NFWF) Long Island Sound Futures Fund supports projects to fully restore the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Potential funding of $10 million for environmental grants in the Long Island Sound Watershed (CT, MA, NH, NY, VT) is available. Funding priorities for this program include:
- Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds
- Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife
- Sustainable and Resilient Communities
- Sound Science and Inclusive Management
NFWF is now accepting proposals with a grant range of $50k - $1.5m. Submit a project idea with this form by April 22, 2022 to get feedback ahead of the grant application and submit a full proposal by May, 19, 2022 from this webpage.
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Wildlife Habitat Council Publishes New Forestry Papers
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Trees in urban and suburban settings are increasingly being seen as critical infrastructure, bringing a variety of positive benefits to a rapidly urbanizing world. This white paper explores some of the many ways that corporations around the world have utilized community forestry work to provide biodiversity uplift, ecosystem services, and resident empowerment within a wide range of communities, as well as how strategic UCF projects can serve all three purposes.
Download this and explore WHC's other white papers here.
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Take the Annual Meeting Survey
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Did you attend NACD’s 76th Annual Meeting in Orlando? If so, we’d love your feedback!
Please take our 2022 Annual Meeting Survey here. Your feedback helps us gain insight on what you liked about this year’s meeting and how we can make improvements in the future.
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Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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