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For a limited time only, get special merchandise for NACD's 2023 Annual Meeting. Look your best in New Orleans with polos, jackets, and hats in a royal purple with an exclusive golden embroidery. These items are for sale on NACD's marketplace, but act fast!
Wear your gear in New Orleans for the 77th Annual Meeting in 2023! The meeting will focus on a theme of "Local Resiliency, National Community." Through networking opportunities, guest speakers, interactive sessions, and thought provoking panels, we will explore how conservation is built by local resiliency and locally-led initiatives, and strengthened through national community with partnerships and collaboration.
Hosted in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts, the 2023 Annual Meeting will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana from February 11-15 at the New Orleans Marriot. Early bird registration will be open through December 23, 2022.
NACD's Annual Meeting is the biggest event of the year and brings hundreds of conservation leaders from across the nation together. The Annual Meeting agenda includes a full NACD board meeting and is packed with opportunities for attendees to network and hear from a variety of conservation speakers. Visit NACD's Annual Meeting webpage to learn more about some of the exciting breakout sessions and speakers that will be featured at the upcoming meeting!
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NCF ANNOUNCES
NGLI 2023 COHORT
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Yesterday, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) announced names of the seven participants selected to participate in the third cohort of the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI).
NGLI was launched in August of 2019 as a year-long program to advance conservation leadership. Created in response to a high demand for leadership instruction for conservation district leaders facing the challenges of a changing world, NGLI was established to provide conservation professionals with the tools to become national leaders through personal, civic, and organizational leadership development.
The 2023 cohort participants include:
- Daryl Donohue - Kansas
- Eric Hanson - South Dakota
- Craig Myers - North Carolina
- Angela Rosol - Iowa
- Dawn Salcito - Arizona
- Donald Stephens - Oklahoma
- Michael Stewart - South Carolina
Read the bios of the participants on NCF's website.
This comprehensive training will help participants prepare 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.
| USDA ASKS FOR FARMER FEEDBACK IN SURVEY | |
As a farmer, rancher or forest manager, your on-the-ground contribution to American agriculture is vitally important. Your efforts are key to the Nation’s production of food, fuel and fiber, and your feedback is essential in helping the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a vital partner of NACD, to improve government programs and services to support you.
USDA has released a nationwide survey asking for feedback from all farmers, ranchers, and forest managers. USDA would like to hear from existing customers, and they hope to also reach a new audience of prospective customers, specifically those that don’t know about USDA, have yet to work with USDA, and those who were unable to participate in the past.
Please visit here by March 31, 2023, to access the survey online in multiple languages! The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous.
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GIVE TO NCF THIS
HOLIDAY SEASON
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Give the gift that keeps on giving through a contribution to NACD's sister organization, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF). As we approach the end of the calendar year, consider a contribution that will have lasting impacts through it programs and partnerships that are dedicated to improving the communities and world we all live in.
One of the greatest challenges we face in the conservation community in ensuring that we are developing a career pipeline so that we have professionals that are trained and ready to take on the tremendous amount of work that needs to be done to conserve our soils and land for our future generations.
The programs of the National Conservation Foundation address that challenge – starting at the high school level through the NCF-Envirothon program and continuing to work at the more advanced level through the Next Generation Leadership Institute.
The first donations up to $20,000 will be matched – so you have the opportunity now to DOUBLE your impact. Consider giving a lasting gift by making a donation to NCF today. Together, let’s support the future of conservation!
| MICHIGAN DISTRICTS CELEBRATE 2022 WINS AND PREPARE FOR 2023 AT STATE MEETING |  | |
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts and partners throughout the state met in person for their annual meeting in Bellaire, MI on December 5 – 7. For Michigan, this was a time of celebration as they have received $3 million in state appropriations for district operations in all 75 conservation districts in 2021. And this year, they have successfully advocated for a renewal of this funding. Starting this January, one of their main advocacy goals in 2023 is to connect with the newly elected legislators from around the state.
The Kick-off Luncheon on December 5 began the conference with the recognition of special guest State Representative Rachel Hood, a noted champion for conservation districts in Michigan. The Keynote speaker was NACD North Central Region Representative Beth Mason whose presentation centered on “NACD Opportunities and Updates.” She highlighted many of the services and funding opportunities provided through NACD to conservation districts, and then shared an update on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the 2023 Farm Bill, the Climate Smart Commodities Grant Program, and the NACD Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative. Through her presentation, Mason sought to not only provide valuable information for conservation districts, but present opportunities to engage in national programs.
The Awards Luncheon on December 6 featured guest speakers retiring Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Garry Lee. McDowell reflected on his time working with conservation districts while with the state agency, preparing for his successor, Deputy Director Kathy Angerer who was also in attendance. Lee shared the need for continued partnership within the state as the new IRA funding will be providing additional opportunities for getting conservation on the ground through both program and technical assistance funding.
Through breakout sessions, conservation district employees and partners received both technical and administrative trainings and resources. For more information on the program topics and speaker line-up, visit the MACD website.
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NACD Closed for
the Holidays
| NACD offices will be closed Friday, Dec 23 - Monday, Dec 26 and Friday, Dec 30 - Monday, Jan 2, 2023 for Christmas and New Years. We are wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season! NACD is excited to serve districts and continue working for conservation in the new year. | |
Open Career Opportunities
with NACD
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Director of Conservation Programs: NACD is seeking a Director of Conservation Programs that will be responsible for providing strategic oversight of the organization’s portfolio of grants, agreements, and contracts. This position will develop funding opportunities, manage our subgrant programs, and work closely with our funding and implementation partners. They will also provide leadership to achieve all stated outcomes and ensure overall compliance. Apply by Friday, December 30, for priority consideration.
Grants Specialist: NACD is seeking a Grants Specialist that will be is responsible for administering the organization’s portfolio of grants, agreements, and contracts. This position will manage our subgrant programs and work closely with our funding partners to define requirements and outcomes, draft applications, support monitoring and reporting, and ensure overall compliance. Apply by Friday, December 30, for priority consideration.
Equity and Outreach Program Analyst: NACD is seeking a Equity and Outreach Program Analyst that will be is responsible for overseeing program development and project implementation, with the goals of improving equity, access, and inclusivity. They are also responsible for ensuring that NACD’s programs and activities achieve their intended goals and meet established milestones. Apply by Friday, December 30, for priority consideration.
These positions can be remote or based out of the NACD’s headquarters office in Washington, D.C.
Learn more about all open positions with NACD on our website.
| Attend the LACD State Meeting | |
The 77th Annual meeting of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts will be held January 11-13, 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Speakers will provide updates on WOTUS, the upcoming Federal Farm Bill, CO2 sequestration, the LA Outdoors Forever Program, the LA Watershed Initiative and much more.
NACD South Central Region Representative Wesley Gibson hopes you are all looking as forward to this as he is. "Understanding our SWCD role has always been essential, and with current evolutions it is more critical than ever that we meet to review and reaffirm our roles, opportunities, and partnerships in managing and protecting our soil, water, and related natural resources," says Gibson. "It is critical that we understand our current challenges if we are to meet the increasing demands on agriculture production, and heightened conservation expectations."
| Donate to NACD's Pack-A-Book | |
The 2023 Annual Meeting will mark the 14th year for NACD’s community outreach program, “Pack-A-Book.” This year’s donations will be received by the Capital Soil and Water Conservation District, who will share donations with schools around the New Orleans area.
Be a part of this project by packing one or more natural resource, environmental, or conservation-related books for your trip to New Orleans. Simply drop them off at Registration during the meeting or contact wesley-gibson@nacdnet.org for shipping instructions.
For a wide selection of books with conservation themes, consult this list of suggested titles or visit Amazon or your favorite book retailer. A label with your name and conservation district affiliation will be placed in the inside cover of each book you donate.
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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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