NACD's Spring 2022 edition of The Resource has arrived! Click the cover above to begin browsing the latest publication from the National Association of Conservation Districts. 

To download a copy of this edition, please click the cloud icon in the lower right-hand corner. Browse past editions of The Resource on NACD's website and please let us know if you have any questions or comments about this edition.

Last week, we highlighted the start of a two week leadership visit to the Pacific Islands Area (PIA), by NACD President Michael Crowder; NRCS’ Regional Conservationist (West) Astor Boozer, Acting PIA Director J.B. Martin, and others including NACD Board Members Michael Aguon and Kathrina Reyes of the Guam Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and several NACD staff. 

After having a very successful first few days in Guam, the group traveled to Palau with a University of Guam representative and native Palauan, Cliff Kyota. The University of Guam is a key partner of the Guam districts and also works to build AEG capacity across Micronesia broadly. Kyota organized site visits and meetings for NACD and NRCS in Palau. While Palau once had an active organization that served in the role of a conservation district, the Palau Natural Resources Council, NACD, and NRCS are now looking to leverage the experience of Kyota and the University of Guam, the GACD, and the appointment of a new NRCS Regional Conservationist in Palau, to rebuild the organization and further the conservation efforts in the country. 

Meetings with the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment were very successful towards these efforts, and the traveling delegation were also able to learn more about the unique farming context, i.e., non-commercial, small scale, and extremely diverse agroecosystems. The Palau Organic Growers Association hosted a training that the group was able to join, which focused on combining conservation practices like integrated pest management and soil health, with the more traditional farming approaches used for taro, pineapple, sweet potato, and other crops grown for family consumption in Palau. The country only has a few days worth of food storage in the event that the supply chain is disrupted, as it was often over the past few years, so increasing the sustainability of in-country production is vital to the food sovereignty of the nation. As NACD and NRCS continue to partner with Kyota and others to evaluate opportunities to re-invigorate the Palau Natural Resources Council, ensuring the viability of in-country food production will be a key priority.

The group will visit one more territory, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, before returning home, where they will use what they've learned to expand partnerships and advocacy across PIA.

Nominations are now open for the 2022 NACD Service Awards, nationally recognizing individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Winners will be honored at the 2023 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

The Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources. Any individual, business, organization, or agency that is not directly associated with conservation districts at the local, state, or national level is eligible to receive this award.

 

The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association, a conservation district, or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources. Nominees can be involved with districts or the association at any level, including past NACD officers. Nominations are also accepted for individuals posthumously.

 

Visit the NACD website to nominate your conservation leaders now through August 31, and to view previous award winners, visit the NACD Awards Archives.

Applications for NACD’s District Official State Training Program Recognition are now being accepted. Established in 2010, NACD recognizes states that have developed and implemented a statewide district official training program. To qualify a District Official Training Program must include 50% of the elements in all 15 categories identified by NACD and NASCA. For States that have previously recognized previously, you are required to re-submit a checklist every 2 years for recognition. To apply visit NACD’s website, States will be recognized during the 2023 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

During NACD’s Annual Meeting NACD recognizes states and territories that have achieved 100% district participation in membership dues or have made the largest contribution to NACD. As a member-based, grassroots organization, NACD both needs and appreciates the support of state and territory associations and conservation districts across the country. To make your contribution for fiscal year 2022, please send in your dues by September 30. To view previous award winners or to make a payment, visit NACD’s website.

Last week, NACD CEO Jeremy Peters and NACD Projects and Partnerships Coordinator Meg Leader traveled to North Carolina State University's campus in Raleigh, NC to participate in Field to Market’s June Plenary and General Assembly Meeting. 

At the meeting, Peters spoke on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Roundtable sharing how district staff will serve as important part of the implementation of this new guidance. Leader spoke on how Field to Market is addressing DEI and what tools and resources are available to members. 

The event celebrated Field to Market's 15th year as the voice of the agriculture value chain. Field to Market unites a diverse group of grower organizations, agribusinesses, food, beverage, apparel, restaurant and retail companies, conservation groups, universities, and public sector partners to advance the sustainability of food, feed, fiber, and fuel production in the United States. The partnership between NACD and Field to Market is an important one as NACD’s participation makes it possible for all districts to be part of Field to Market’s projects and programs. 

NACD offices will be closed on Monday, July 4, in celebration of Independence Day. We wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

NCF Director of Development: The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is requesting proposals for a part-time Director of Development to lead NCF in implementing a fundraising plan for the foundation. Submittals must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on July 1.

On Thursday, June 23, the House Appropriations Committee voted to advance a fiscal year (FY) 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill, which provides annual funding for USDA and FDA. The bill includes a total of $27.2 billion, which represents an eight percent increase in funding from the previous fiscal year. NACD applauds its inclusion of strong investments in critical USDA conservation initiatives and other programs that are important for conservation districts across the country. The bill includes:

• More than $1 billion for NRCS Conservation Operations, which supports conservation technical assistance.

• $115 million for the Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Operation Program.

• $5 million for the Watershed Rehabilitation Program.

NACD looks forward to continue advocating for these USDA programs and other priorities as FY 2023 appropriations bills are developed and considered by Congress. 

The application period for the 2023 National Conservation Foundation’s (NCF), Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) will open July 1, 2022, and run through September 30, 2022.

The goal of the NCF - NGLI is to equip conservation district leaders with the tools to become national leaders through personal, civic, and organizational leadership development. This comprehensive training will help participants rise to meet the future needs of natural resources management, helping them to increase their capacity to navigate and manage complex conservation challenges – both current and future – at the national level. Upon completion of the program, participants will fulfill their potential to be the trusted voice of locally led conservation efforts from the local to the national level. 

For more information on the NCF - NGLI or to apply for inclusion in the 2023 cohort, visit here.

Field to Market recently released their 2022 Farmer and Trusted Adviser Spotlight Honorees. This recognition spotlights trusted conservation advisors and producers across the country who are leading the way in natural resources management on their operations and in their local communities.

• Kevin Hudson, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Oregon

• Dan Bartelheimer, Sno-Valley Farms, Snohomish CD, Washington

• Keith Gorham, Gorham Family Farms, Rock Island SWCD, Illinois

• Steve Alspach, NRCS Oklahoma and Greg Scott, Oklahoma Conservation Commission

• Carter Morgan, Vermillion Parke Soil Health Alliance and Parke/Vermillion SWCD, Indiana

• Laura Ellingson, Howard SWCD, Iowa

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