|
NACD's sister organization, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) is asking for your donations this Giving Tuesday to support the development of the next generation of conservation leaders. They aim to raise $75,000 by the end of 2022! Up to $20,000 in total donations are are currently being matched. Make your support go further by donating now!
NCF programs and partnerships advance locally-led conservation and work to develop the next generation of conservation leaders. Their two flagship programs, the NCF-Envirothon and Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) help deliver those results.
Envirothon teaches middle and high school students about forestry, soil health, wildlife, and more through teamwork and collaboration. NGLI participants are equipped with the skills to take on leadership positions in their communities and graduate ready to face the challenges of a changing world. These programs cannot exist without your support.
|  | NCF needs your help to continue to expand its influential and crucial programming! Tackling conservation and natural resource management must begin with education and training of the next generation. | APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FRIENDS OF NACD DISTRICT GRANTS PROGRAM IS TODAY | |
TODAY is the last day for eligible conservation districts to apply for a Friends of NACD District Grant! Eight conservation districts will receive up to $2,500 to support new and innovative program activities.
Conservation districts may view the complete request for proposals on the Friends of NACD District Grants webpage, and apply through the online application form by 11:59 p.m. local time, tonight, Nov. 29. Awards will be announced at NACD’s 2022 Annual Meeting.
The Friends of NACD District Grant program is made possible by the contributions individuals and organizations make to the Friends of NACD program.
Questions may be directed to NACD Southeast Region Representative Candice Abinanti at candice-abinanti@nacdnet.org.
| ENVIROTHON MEMBERSHIP DUES DEADLINE APPROACHES | |
Each year the National Conservation Foundation (NFC) Envirothon touches and positively influences the lives of thousands of young people across the U.S., Canada, and China. Since its beginnings in 1979, hundreds of thousands of students have participated in the Envirothon competition. NCF-Envirothon’s mission is to educates students about the environment and conservation of natural resources through hands-on outdoor experiences, academic study and collaborative competitions.
Annual Membership Dues from participating states, provinces, and partner nations are vital to the mission and growth of the NCF-Envirothon annual international competition. Membership dues for the 2023 competition year (September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023) are now being collected from participating state Envirothon programs. Annual Membership with NCF-Envirothon will ensure access to resources and support that will benefit Envirothon programs, such as the eligibility to send a team to the NCF-Envirothon annual international competition in July 2023.
The 2023 Annual Membership Dues are $450 (USD) and are due by December 31, 2022. They can be paid via check, credit/debit card (PayPal), or direct deposit. Please email NCF-Envirothon Program Coordinator, Jennifer Brooks, at jennifer-brooks@nacdnet.org with any questions or to pay your program’s dues.
| NACD JOINS NORTH DAKOTA DISTRICTS FOR STATES' ANNUAL CONVENTION | |
On November 20-22, the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts held their 84th annual convention. This was the first time in two years that they had gathered due to COVID, and the excitement and camaraderie was palpable.
The convention consisted of business meetings, elections, and many awards. The Spring Valley Ranch of Lamoure, ND received the prestigious 2022 Leopold Award. The award ceremony was followed by a live auction. There were several keynote speakers, including NACD’s Second Vice-President Ian Cunningham.
This was a great event to reinvigorate the SCD’s in the state after two long years. NDASCD looks forward to seeing everyone in North Dakota for NACD’s Summer Meeting 2023.
| COFFEE COUNTY SWCD FIELD DAY BRINGS INTERACTIVE LEARNING TO STUDENTS | |
Imagine you’re a ten-year-old riding a school bus for a field trip. The bus comes to a stop, you step off, and — for the first time in your life — you find yourself in a forest. Everything is new, from the sweet woody fragrance to the chorus of birds and wildlife. This is the experience for several 5th-graders who attend Coffee County (Alabama) Forestry and Wildlife Field Days, co-led by Coffee County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Coffee County Forestry Advisory Committee.
Sue Leverett, Education Specialist with Coffee County SWCD, says that’s what makes the Field Days so meaningful. “Youth is the most important asset we have, and many of the students who attend are city kids who never get to go to the forest," Leverett shares. "At the Field Days, they get to learn how forest areas are good for recreation, good for wildlife, and that the timber industry brings a lot of money and jobs to the state of Alabama.”
Coffee County SWCD hosted the 14th Forestry and Wildlife Field Days in October. For the first time since the pandemic, 5th graders from all county and enterprise schools were able to attend (approx. 700 students). At the event, students rotate around educational stations where they hear presentations from professional foresters and biologists. They learn about forest management practices, including prescribed burning. And they participate in activities, such as tree planting demonstrations. A particular favorite for the students, is the reptile and amphibian station where students learn about wildlife and the habitat they need to survive.
|  | |
“The students actually get to see live reptiles and amphibians,” says Leverett. “We have a reptile biologist, and he had a baby alligator at his station that was about 8-10 inches. He also had a kingsnake that was about 8-10 feet.”
As the students and teachers go from station to station, Leverett checks in with them to see if they’re having a good time. It’s rewarding for her to see and hear how much they enjoy it. “We always get good reports back from students and teachers,” says Leverett. “Some teachers come year after year. They’re glad to have kids participate. It’s a part of life they don’t always know of.”
The first Forestry and Wildlife Field Day took place in 2009. It started small with just one school invited to a landowner’s property. Over the years it grew until all 5th grade students in the county could attend.
Leverett says partners are key to the success and growth of the Field Days, including the Coffee County Forestry Advisory Committee that co-organizes the event, the Wiregrass Resource Conservation & Development Council that provides grant funding, and the National Security Group, Inc. that hosts the Field Days on their woodland property. She encourages other conservation districts who are interested in launching or growing similar events to look to their like-minded partners, too. “You need to know people who are interested in the same things, which, in this case, is forestry. You can’t do it on your own.”
Learn more about Coffee County SWCD events and activities on the Coffee County SWCD Facebook Page.
| |
|
Open Career Opportunities
with NACD
| |
Natural Resource Policy Specialist: NACD is seeking a Natural Resource Policy Specialist that will be responsible for working with the Government Affairs team to develop NACD’s natural resource policy priorities and work with members, federal agencies, congressional offices, stakeholder groups, and coalitions to advance them. This role works with NACD committees and resource policy groups to develop and communicate policy positions, advance legislative priorities, prepare briefing materials, and educate members. This position is based out of NACD's headquarters office in Washington, D.C. Apply by Friday, December 9, for priority consideration.
Stewardship and Education Coordinator: NACD is seeking a Stewardship and Education Coordinator that will be responsible for the coordination of a national conservation education program and materials, as well as the NACD Online Marketplace. This role will work to develop a growing portfolio of conservation education resources and materials and assists in the support of NACD’s national conservation education objectives. This position can be remote or based out of the NACD’s headquarters office in Washington, D.C. Apply by Wednesday, December 14, for priority consideration.
Learn more about all open positions with NACD on our website.
| FWS Announces ESA Designations for Lesser Prairie Chicken | On November 17, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced a final rule to list the lesser prairie chicken population in eastern New Mexico and the southwest Texas Panhandle as endangered, and the northern population of the species in the northeast Texas Panhandle, southeast Colorado, south-central Kansa, and western Oklahoma as a threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As part of the rules, the FWS will extend 4(d) exemptions for the northern lesser prairie chicken populations, which will allow producers to continue routine agriculture activities on existing cultivated lands, implement prescribed grazing plans, and conduct prescribed burns for grassland management. The final rule was published in the federal register on November 25, and will become effective on January 24, 2023. | USDA Hosts Agroforestry Webinar Series | Join the USDA National Agroforestry Center and guest speakers on December 2 at 3:00 p.m. ET for the next webinar in a 10 part series on how different USDA programs can be used to advance agroforestry. This month's webinar is entitled "Agroforestry & National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative." Learn how USDA programs can be utilized to promote and support agroforestry establishment, management, research, and other efforts in your area! Register for the webinar here. | Call for NACD Hall of Distinction Nominations | |
NACD is currently seeking nominations for its Hall of Distinction!
Through NACD’s Hall of Distinction, state and territory associations can recognize current and past conservation leaders for their extraordinary work to advance conservation at the national level.
States and territories may induct one person to the Hall of Distinction every year. Inductees are reviewed by the District Operations and Member Services Committee.
To make an induction, state and territory associations are asked to send NACD information via this online form by Dec. 11, 2022 for recognition at NACD’s 2023 Annual Meeting. Learn more about the Hall of Distinction, including eligibility criteria, here.
| Apply for AFA + NACD Sustainability Institute | |
Any undergraduate student studying food, agriculture, or natural resources within the U.S. are invited to apply for the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) + NACD Sustainability Institute! The program will be held alongside NACD's Annual Meeting in New Orleans from February 12-14, 2023. All program fees, lodging, and meals will be provided. Students are only responsible for transportation to the conference.
Applications must be submitted by this Thursday, December 1. Learn more about the program and apply online here.
|
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events!
| |
