The Friends of NACD District Grants Program is now accepting applications for grants up to $2,500! Now in its third round of funding, the 2022 program will award eight grants, up to $2,500 each, to conservation districts to conduct new activities or test novel approaches to their operations. Awards will be announced at the 2022 NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.
Conservation districts may view the complete request for proposals (RFP), including eligibility criteria and application instructions on the Friends of NACD District Grants webpage. Applications must be received by no later than Nov. 30, 2021, 11:59 p.m. local time, through the online application form. Visit this page to learn more about how past grantees, with the support of a Friends of NACD District Grant, have implemented projects that have helped enhance their visibility in their communities, reach new customers, and grow their partnerships and volunteers.
The Friends of NACD District Grant program is made possible by donations individuals and organizations make to the Friends of NACD program.
Questions about the program and application process may be directed to NACD Southeast Region Representative Candice Abinanti at candice-abinanti@nacdnet.org. |
NACD, P2 RECOGNIZE OREGON BROTHERS AS POLLINATOR CONSERVATION ADVOCATES |
Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the Pollinator Partnership (P2) announced Dan and Michael O’Loughlin of O’Loughlin Farms as the winners of the 2021 U.S. Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Conservation Award.
The award, which recognizes individuals and families in the farm and ranch community who contribute significantly to pollinator species protection and conservation, was awarded by NACD CEO Jeremy Peters during the 2021 North American Pollinator Protection Campaign International Conference.
“Dan and Michael partner with their local district, Yamhill County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), on a number of endeavors, including establishing a 1/3-mile-long beetle bank and testing seed mixes,” Peters said. “Their commitment to pollinators through establishing habitat and conducting natural pest control is a commitment to enhanced biodiversity and, ultimately, better ecosystems within their fields.”
O’Loughlin Farms is a 200-acre operation that primarily grows tall fescue seed. In addition to their considerable pollinator-related activities, the brothers conduct community outreach in a barn on their property, which they converted into a classroom that can fit up to 100 people.
“Dan and Michael are committed not only to establishing pollinator habitat, but to conducting pollinator education and outreach,” P2 Executive Director Kelly Rourke said. “From youth to gardeners, SWCDs to growers, the O’Loughlin brothers work to amplify the importance of pollinator conservation.”
The O’Loughlins have participated in the Oregon Bee Atlas, created pollinator habitat at schools through the State School Garden Network, and serve as leaders in the State Pollinator Protection Initiative, the Oregon Bee Project.
Read the full press release from NACD here. For information on how to nominate a pollinator conservation-minded farmer or rancher for the 2022 award, visit www.pollinator.org/awards.
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SPACE AVALIBLE TO REGISTER FOR OCT U&C WEBINAR |
During the October Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation webinar, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21, at 4 p.m. Eastern, Joe Heller, partnership liaison for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, will highlight successes from the first two years of the office’s activities.
In addition to providing technical resources for urban agriculturalists, the office also supports two grant programs: the Urban Agriculture Planning and Implementation grants and the Compost and Food Waste Reduction grants. Heller will discuss early successes from these programs, and also provide information about the new federal Urban Agriculture Advisory Committee and the new FSA Urban and Suburban Pilot County Committees.
NACD’s Urban and Community Conservation webinar series, sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, highlights programs related to urban and community conservation, outreach to underrepresented clients, small-scale natural resource concerns, stormwater management and other related themes.
Learn more about this webinar, view recordings of past U&C webinars, and submit a webinar proposal on our website. |
NACD JOINS MONTANA CONSERVATION DISTRCITS FOR AREA MEETINGS |
The Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) hosted their area meetings September 27- October 5, 2021. Five hybrid gatherings were held across the state with representatives from MACD, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and NACD in attendance at each.
The meetings were well-attended both in-person and online, allowing many innovative ideas to be brought forth and discussed, with several resolutions passed that will be brought to the state convention this November.
Pictured above is Kyle Tackett from NRCS ASTC Partnerships, NRCS State Conservationist Tom Watson and incoming MACD President Dean Rogge. Pictured below is NACD Northern Plains Representative Aubrey Evans, Bureau Chief for DNRC District Operations Steph Criswell, Administrator for Montana DNRC Conservation Resource and Development Division Mark Bostrom and MACD Executive Director Becca Boslough.
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"For a very large and diverse state, it was highly encouraging to see the sense of community in the conservation partnership and the strong desire to make what is already good even better than ever," said Aubrey Evans, Northern Plains Region Representative.
Though this year has been extremely difficult for many in the state, with severe drought and wildfires plaguing the operations of most of the membership, the hardships only fueled the passion and drive of the conservation districts. It is an exciting time for conservation in Montana and the partnership amongst districts couldn’t be stronger.
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LOCAL DISTRICTS JOIN ILLINOIS STATEWIDE TREE PLANTING INITIATIVE |
The Illinois Extension 4-H and the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) Forestry Committee are teaming up on a statewide tree planting initiative for 2022. This effort will utilize the strengths of the statewide network of Illinois soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) and the educational and youth development of the University of Illinois Extension programs to create an oak recovery and tree planting educational program.
Starting with a $5,000 small project grant from Illinois Forestry Development Council, the Illinois 4-H alumni database of 10,000 individuals will be solicited to raise matching funds and pair 4-H alumni with existing local 4-H members to plant trees together. For its first year, the goal is to plant 650 container trees throughout Illinois communities.
The purpose of this year’s project is to educate students and their communities on:
- The value of native oak forests and trees in Illinois' natural history
- Oaks as a keystone species in Illinois forests
- Raise awareness of Illinois’ diminishing Oak forests
- Tree planting techniques
- Oak tree identification
This program will provide each project area with 20-30, four-foot-tall Root Protection Method (RPM) Oak trees. The RPM-production method yields twice the results in half the time. Studies show that RPM-produced trees grow flower and fruit two times faster, so students should expect better planting success and development of their trees. Project areas should be sustainable and in public locations such as parks, schools and nature centers.
Surveys have been distributed to Illinois SWCD’s and Extension offices to solicit interested participants throughout the state. Eventually the goal is to reach every SWCD in the state over the next four or five years.
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NACD Announces New Director of Education |
NACD is pleased to announce Keith Owen as its new Director of Education.
Owen has been with NACD since December 2017, serving as South Central Region Representative and has also supported NACD education programs. He has served as staff lead for the NACD Conservation Careers Workshop and is guiding development of that program in partnership with Agriculture Future of America into the AFA + NACD Sustainability Institute. He has also supported NACD’s Stewardship and Education Committee and the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Live Auction at NACD’s Annual Meeting.
Before coming to NACD, Owen served as Group Sales Manager with Bass Pro Shops, Park Manager with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and as District Manager with the Rogers County Conservation District. He has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology from Oklahoma State University.
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New Fall Items Listed on NACD's Marketplace |
Fall is here and it’s time to dig out the warmer clothes. Check out our new fall must-have apparel items. Whether casual or corporate, these items are essential for everyone’s fall wardrobe. Shop now for a variety of caps, shirts, vests and jackets that can be customized with the logo of your choice.
Platinum, diamond and gold level NACD members making a single purchase of $100 or more from the Marketplace can benefit from 20 percent, 15 percent and 10 percent discounts respectively. To learn more about NACD's membership incentives and levels of discounts, please visit NACD's Membership page or email us.
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Donate to NCF's 2022 Auction |
The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Auction is a great opportunity to support conservation, and we are accepting donations for the 2022 event now!
During the 2022 NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., NCF will host their auction to support Envirothon, the Next Generation Leadership Institute and conservation education programs. The auction will be held Monday, Feb. 14.
The 2022 NCF Auction is a great opportunity to support NCF and conservation. The deadline for donations is January 7, 2022.
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NRCS Launches Innovation Portal |
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Employee Innovation Portal was designed to empower employees to share innovative processes with leadership and colleagues across the nation. Through the sharing of innovations, NRCS hopes hope to build a culture of innovation within both NRCS and the broader conservation planning partnership.
This innovation portal is currently being pilot tested in Vermont, Tennessee, Oregon, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Pacific Islands Area. Staff and partners in the pilot areas are encouraged to visit the portal, submit an innovation if they have one ready to share, and complete an online survey (which can be accessed through the portal) before the end of the pilot phase on October 20.
The portal is open to all NRCS employees and partner employees with access to NRCS eAuthentication.
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NCPP Meets in Wash. to Discuss Ongoing Projects |
The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) Leadership Team met Oct. 7 in Spokane, Wash. following the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) meeting.
The NCPP is working on projects including providing more flexibility with conservation planner certification, a monthly national message on conservation planning, work underway on helping make local work groups more successful, continuing to manage and improve the NCPP website, and advancing the Hugh Hammond Bennett conservation planner and producer awards.
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Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's Calendar of Events!
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