The third cohort of the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) met for the first time yesterday. NGLI was established to equip leaders with skills and resources related to personal, civil, and organizational leadership development. NGLI participants will meet for four training sessions throughout the year, with a capstone session and graduation at next year's annual meeting.

The 2023 Cohort participants are:

To learn more about the 2023 cohort, visit the National Conservation Foundation's website!

The 2022 cohort will be graduating today at our Leadership Luncheon, so be sure to attend the event to hear more about the work they've accomplished.

The morning kicked off with a meeting of the Farm Bill Task Force, shortly followed by NACD's Committee meetings. After lunch, each Region held their meetings as well, giving time to plan upcoming initiatives and meetings, provide program updates, and connect face to face.

Later in the afternoon, the NACD Board of Directors held their second meeting of the week. In addition to conducting regular business, Board members heard from a Farm Bill Task Force Roundtable, which discussing the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill and NACD's advocacy efforts. The meeting concluded with a Conservation Partnership Panel, which featured leadership from organizations in the conservation partnership including NRCS Chief Cosby, NCDEA President Melissa Higbee, NSCA President Shana Joy, and NARCDC Vice President Vaughn Poe.

The Conservation Showcase opened with a welcome reception yesterday. Attendees were able to explore the showcase, connect with exhibitors, and learn about their innovative work in conservations. The Conservation Showcase will be open all week, so be sure to stop in and check it out!

The Showcase is a great place to network with conservation partners and members of industry, and learn about the newest technologies and most relevant issues affecting natural resources management and conservation districts. Some of our exhibitors this year include ACRES USA, Case IH, NCF-Envirothon, Agri-Drain, Pheasants Forever, and many more.

While in the conservation showcase, also be sure to stop by the President's Association Silent Auction!

Learn more about this year’s exhibitors here.

Additional information can be found in the programs and meeting app.

The Association of Conservation Executive Directors met this afternoon and began building their first Plan of Work, discussed upcoming funding opportunities, and held elections.

Bryan Evans of North Carolina was elected as President of ACED. Janelle Mead of Ohio Was Elected as Secretary-Treasurer and North Central Region Representative.

The following individuals were elected as Regional Representatives for their region.

- Sarah Blaney, OK

- Jen Nelson, DE/MD

- Tom Salzer, WA

- Kristy Davis, UT

- Kendall Tryee, VA

- Angela Ehlers, SD

Don't miss the mobile Annual Meeting app hosted by Sched! The app allows you to see the full event schedule, session descriptions, speaker profiles, and more. After you've set up a public profile, you will be able to create a personalized schedule and you can message and network with other attendees right from the app.

To download it, you can scan or click the QR code, or download the Sched app (Apple) (Android) and search NACD to join the event.

Have you been taking photos during the 2023 NACD Annual Meeting? We want to see them!

Email them to us at nacdnews@nacdnet.org, tag us at @NACDConserve, or use #NACD2023 on social media to submit your photos to our Smiling Faces Reel. Some photos will be displayed during Tuesday evening's Appreciation Banquet!

Check out all of our photos from the week here.

The registration desk is open in the Preservation Hall Foyer from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today. Stop by for questions, tickets, and more!