On Wednesday, June 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army announced their intent to revise the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

A press release from the agencies states, “Today’s action reflects the agencies’ intent to initiate a new rulemaking process that restores the protections in place prior to the 2015 WOTUS implementation, and anticipates developing a new rule that defines WOTUS and is informed by a robust engagement process as well as the experience of implementing the pre-2015 rule, the Obama-era Clean Water Rule, and the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule.”

While no formal timeline is available yet, the agencies will use the following criteria when considering the revision:

NACD has actively engaged in prior WOTUS rulemakings. In spring of 2019, NACD provided public comments supporting and providing feedback on the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. In a December 2020 letter to the Biden agency review team, NACD encouraged the administration to take a longer view of CWA jurisdiction and avoid simply repealing and replacing the current rule which will lead to further confusion among landowners. NACD will continue to monitor any changes to WOTUS and will provide updates accordingly.

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 percent of the elements in all 15 categories identified by NACD and National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA). For states that have been recognized previously, you are required to re-submit a checklist every two years for recognition. To apply, visit NACD’s website. States will be recognized during the 2022 NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

During NACD’s Annual Meeting, NACD recognizes states and territories that have achieved 100 percent 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. Visit NACD’s website to view previous award winners or to make a payment.

Nominations are now open for the 2021 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 2022 NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. on February 15.

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/territory 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, 2021. To view previous award winners, visit the NACD Awards Archives.

Mark your calendar for the National Conservation Foundation (NCF)'s webinar on Wednesday, July 14 at 10 a.m. Eastern to announce the opening of the application period for our second cohort of next generation leaders. Register for the free webinar here.

We look forward to learning about the conservation district board member from your state that is committed to future conservation district leadership and service and helping recruit them for the NGLI Program.

One applicant from each of the seven NACD regions will be selected to be in the 2022 NGLI Cohort and participate in training events throughout 2022. More information on NGLI can be found at NCF's website or by contacting Aubrey Evans or Ray Ledgerwood. Learn about our current NGLI cohort here.

The benefits to participants include personal and professional development, which has been structured specifically for conservation district leaders and is unique with a national approach. The benefit to state/territory associations and state conservation agencies is the development of your state/territory’s next conservation leader! Your role is to recruit that candidate for the program from your state/territory.

Program design highlights:

Currently-appointed conservation district officials are eligible to apply, as well as district officials with current or potential for a statewide leadership position. All applicants must be committed to future conservation district service and must submit letters of support from their local conservation district and their state or territory association.

There's still time to register for the 2021 NACD-National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Webinar Series!

The NACD Forestry Resource Policy Group‘s (RPG), in conjunction with the NASF Forest Resource Management and Forest Markets Committees, has organized a day-long series of webinars.

The four webinars will be held on June 22, 2021. Each 50-minute Zoom session will feature guest presenters and a Q&A with attendees. Sessions are open to all conservation district staff and forestry partners interested in attending.

The webinars are free to attend, however you must register for each webinar separately.

Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) landowners are lining up to participate in what some might consider an “alternative” forestry effort: removing valuable Douglas fir to restore Oregon white oak and its wildlife habitat.

“When we were trying to come up with ideas about how we were going to help these landowners with investing in this land that gives them no financial gain, it was kind of perfect that RCPP came in – we had a waiting list before we even had the money,” Yamhill SWCD Habitat Conservationist Amie Loop-Frison said.

“People are just ready to do this,” she said. “I don’t have to convince people; they know the history of the land. It’s a real motivator to me that people just want to do the right thing from the get-go.”

“You expect things to kind of dry up and to have to sell the program a little more,” Loop-Frison said. “Here we are in funding year number six, and we have more applicants now than we did in year one. It’s contagious. There’s a whole oak movement in this area; it’s spreading about how important they are. A lot of groups are raising awareness and people are getting it.”

Read more in NACD's Blog.

Thank you Orval Gigstad for joining Friends of NACD as a Lifetime Member! Gigstad, from Nebraska, is the Northern Plains Region Chair.

Friends of NACD support the nation’s conservation districts through donations that fund the Friends of NACD District Grants Program. Since 2020, the program has awarded $20,000 in grant funding to eight districts across the country.

Join Friends of NACD today to help NACD raise $20,000 to award eight grants in 2022. You'll receive a complimentary NACD 75^th anniversary cap with your donation of $75 or more. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set a July 23, 2021, deadline for agricultural producers and landowners to apply for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup 56. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for CRP Grasslands from July 12 to August 20. This year, USDA updated both signup options to provide great incentives for producers and increase its conservation benefits, including reducing the impacts of climate change.

Both signups are competitive and will provide for annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes.

Find the full press release here.

Looking for a gift for Father's Day? Show your appreciation with customized apparel and accessories from our Marketplace.

Make shopping for dad's gift easy, meaningful and memorable with our selection of shirts, jackets, caps, mugs and so much more. Pick out his gift today!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at stewardship@nacdnet.org with any questions you may have.

Save the dates for CTIC's 2021 Virtual Conservation in Action Tour

The 14th annual CTIC Conservation in Action Tour will take visitors around the country in a special virtual series of four "stops" in July and August 2021. The four-part online tour series will be broadcast as part of the American Society of Agronomy's Sustainable Agronomy Conference. Registration is free, and CEUs will be available to CCAs who attend.

Here's the lineup:

Click here for more information on the tour and a link for free registration. 

"Sustainable Grazing and Pasture Management,”

the newest episode of Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)’s “What is Sustainable Agriculture?” animation series, shows how farmers can improve soil health and plant vigor by focusing on the health of their pastures and rangelands.

To learn more and view the video, click here.

Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health.

The 2021 Pollinator Week begins on Monday, June 21, and goes through Sunday, June 27.

Learn more about this year's events and activities on the Pollinator Partnership's website.

Lifetime conservationist Frederick Thurston Mott, otherwise known as “Fred,” passed away on Friday, May 21, 2021. He was 92.

In 2017, NACD implemented an Honorary category as part of their Friends of NACD Lifetime Membership Program.

The Kent Conservation District was honored to make Fred the first Honorary NACD Lifetime Member.

In 2019, the Kent Conservation District completed the purchase and complete renovation of their current office building affectionately named the “Frederick T. Mott Conservation Center.”

Fred is and will be sorely missed by all in the Delaware Conservation Partnership.

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