NACD’s Virtual Advocacy Week began yesterday - from March 22-26, we encourage conservation districts to reach out to their members of Congress and share the needs of locally-led conservation and how they can provide adequate support to districts so that they can continue protecting our nation’s natural resources.
Last week, NACD’s Government Affairs team hosted a briefing for members and partners participating in the Virtual Advocacy Week which has been recorded and can be viewed here. This briefing was a substitute for the breakfast briefing we normally host in Washington, D.C., where we review the issue papers and answer any questions that people who are participating in the following week’s meetings may have.
As your state or territory works to schedule meetings, be sure to visit our “Tips and Tricks” document on NACD’s Advocacy Week webpage, where you can also find this year's issue papers .
Please contact NACD Director of Government Affairs Coleman Garrison at coleman-garrison@nacdnet.org if you have any questions about NACD’s Virtual Advocacy Week or if you or need additional information.
|
ICYMI: NACD'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY NEWSLETTER |
As NACD celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, we will be releasing a special monthly newsletter, highlighting conservation districts' successes over the years.
Entitled "Diamonds Out of the Dust: 75 Years of Conservation District Success Stories," this monthly newsletter features stories submitted by conservation districts and state associations across the nation. In the first edition, we highlighted Ellen Cobb, NACD's first executive leader; Butte Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)'s longtime employee Frances Perkes; and Winnebago County SWCD's Monarch Fiesta Event, which supports the importance of pollinators.
Learn more about our 75th Anniversary campaign and view all past newsletters here. To be featured in the newsletter, share your district's success story by submitting this online form. |
2021 STEWARDSHIP
WEEK CELEBRATES FOREST HEALTH
|
This year, NACD is celebrating its 66th Annual Stewardship Week from April 25-May 2, 2021, focusing on the theme, “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.”
Visit NACD’s website to learn how you can celebrate trees and get involved in forest conservation by hosting socially-distanced forest and state park tours and presentations, deliver online forestry workshops and demonstrations, share a press release with local media, sign and mail proclamations to your governor in support of Stewardship Week, and organize other virtual events.
Stewardship Week gives conservation districts the opportunity to extend the reach of their education programs and educate future leaders on the significance of natural resource conservation. However you choose to celebrate this year, be sure to let us know and share your story with us by tagging us on social media using the hashtag #StewardshipWeek.
Don’t forget to visit NACD’s Conservation Education Hub to download free K-8 curriculum materials, learn more about this year’s Stewardship Week, and find resources to help you plan a successful virtual event online.
|
APRIL U&C WEBINAR FEATURES WEST VIRGINIA SOIL TRAILER |
The next NACD Urban and Community (U&C) Conservation webinar, scheduled for 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Eastern on April 15, 2021, will feature the West Virginia Conservation Agency's Soil Trailer.
Inspired by the Kansas Soil Tunnel Trailer, the West Virginia Soil Trailer is a learning unit for soil, water, agricultural specialty crops and non-point source pollution. This ADA-accessible mobile classroom serves all of West Virginia. Focus education areas include topics such as what makes up soil and the layers of the soil profile, as well as the organisms in the soil and their benefits to the soil and quality of water; the effects of pollution and litter on fish, plants and wildlife; nonpoint source pollution, which may include illegal dumping; and malfunctioning septic systems, which will ultimately affect the soil and water quality.
With this diverse educational display, each person who visits is provided an opportunity to see what they cannot normally see, feel what they would not normally feel, and learn what is generally not taught. During the webinar, you'll hear from WVCA's Education and Outreach Specialist Aimee Figgatt (pictured above) on this incredible learning unit. A second, larger unit is currently in the early stages of construction and is expected to be completed by Fall 2022.
These popular webinars, held on the third Thursday of each month, are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation in partnership with the NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group. There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To register, click here. If you have difficulty, please contact NACD Pacific Region Representative Ariel Rivers. |
SWCDS JOIN FORCES TO EXPAND FORESTRY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
Lincoln, Gaston and Mecklenberg Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) joined forces to open a forest to the public in North Carolina for forestry and SWCD educational programs, an effort that resulted in state funding for the project.
In 2011, through a partnership with the North Carolina Association of SWCDs (NCASWCD) and the state forestry agency, the three conservation districts met and lobbied county commissioners and state legislators. It took several years, but in 2018, the State Legislature allotted in its budget more than $3 million to construct a 6,000 square-foot education center with public amenities at the Mountain Island Lake Educational State Forest (MIESF). The group hopes to have a grand opening later this year.
“Education is one of the most important things we do, and this facility lends itself to educating our youth to the topic of a diminishing resource,” Mecklenburg SWCD Vice Chair Nancy Carter said.
“Our urbanization is rapidly increasing,” she said. “Giving urban youth an outdoor educational experience and showing them their water source plus educating them to its use and value and its decreasing availability will be enormously beneficial.”
|
|
Celebrate National Ag Day, March 23 |
Today, we're celebrating National Ag Day!
This year marks the fifth year that the White House has publicly recognized National Ag Day as a salute to the contributions of America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. The 2021 theme is “Food Brings Everyone to the Table.”
Today, we're recognizing the abundance provided by American agriculture, and the essential work that our farmers, ranchers, foresters and other agricultural stewards do to help make a difference in our nation's food system. To learn more, visit Ag Day's website.
|
Hall of Distinction Call for 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.
In making their inductions, states and territories are asked to send NACD some information via this online form.
|
NAPPC Seeks Nominations for 2021 Awards |
The award recognizes an individual or family in the farm and ranch community who has contributed significantly to pollinator species protection and conservation.
|
Apply Now:
NRCS Seeks
RCPP Applications
|
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently seeking innovative partner-led projects to deliver sustainable agricultural solutions.
NRCS will invest up to $75 million under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)’s Alternative Funding Arrangements to fund unique projects that take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions at the local, regional and landscape scales.
|
Pre-Order Now:
P2's 2021
Pollinator Poster
|
The Pollinator Partnership (P2)’s 2021 Pollinators and Agriculture Poster is now available for pre-order!
This year's poster, created by artist Hugo Salais at Metazoa Studio, is an artistic depiction of the harmony that can be achieved when agricultural landscapes embrace pollinator-friendly management practices. These management practices promote pollinator populations and diversity in agricultural landscapes, resulting in important benefits to both pollinators and farmers!
More information on the poster, species and artist will also be available on P2’s website. To pre-order the poster, click here.
|
Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day or more on NACD's Calendar of Events!
|
|
