The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) training workshop was held in Bloomington, MN the week of May 9. NACD CEO Jeremy Peters presented at the opening session presentation on the agenda and NACD President Michael Crowder presented at the closing session of the meeting. Executive Board Member Tom Wehri was also able to attend the session as an NACD member of the NCPP Leadership Team. 150 participants from 45 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam attended the sessions.

New conservation planning policies such as certification and roles or steps in the planning process were presented and discussed. A half day of training on communicating with customers was included to help emphasize the importance of listening to producers and land owners as conservation planners are working with them to develop actionable plans. All five NCPP partners (NRCS, NASCA, NCDEA, NARC&DC, and NACD) had leadership and participants attending the three day session. The NCPP Leadership Team will continue to guide these efforts to strengthen conservation planning and technical assistance for the clients of conservation districts.

The lineup of speakers for NACD's 2022 Summer Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico is expanding daily. You are not going to want to miss addresses from NRCS Chief Terry Cosby, or panels including experts in forestry, biology, coastal conservation, ecological restoration, and more! See the current lineup of speakers on NACD's website and check back regularly for updates.

There's still time to register to join us in San Juan! Registration for the 2022 NACD Summer Conservation Forum and Tour is open through June 24, 2022! Hosted in partnership with the Puerto Rico Association of Soil Conservation Districts, this year's meeting will take place from July 16-19 at the Caribe Hilton Hotel.

With attendance, you will also have the chance to explore the beautiful island of Puerto Rico through a selection of group tours, including the El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service.

Take advantage of visiting one of the country's tropical island territories and reserve your spot for the Summer Meeting today. You don't even need a passport!

Information about registration, accommodations, travel, and more can be found on NACD's website.

Presenters include Kacey KC from the Nevada Division of Forestry, Jenny Coe from Whatcom and Skagit Conservation Districts, and Kai Hoffman-Krull from San Juan Islands Conservation District.

1.5 Cat 1 CFEs available. Register for more details!

NACD Immediate Past President Tim Palmer participated in a the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium/Ecosystem Services Market Research Consortium (ESMC/ESMRC)'s Eco-Harvest program launch event on Tuesday, May 17. Palmer was joined at the event by NACD CEO Jeremy Peters and Chris Young, NACD Director of Government Affairs.

Agroforestry has made its way into Snohomish Conservation District, WA, with landowner interest flourishing and new programs specific to forest farming in the works.

“A lot of our landowners are becoming more interested in building diversity into their forest lands and finding revenue streams that include more than just timber, so forest farming is growing,” said Carrie Brausieck, Natural Resource Planner and Agroforester.

As a result of the growing interest in agroforestry within the state, Brausieck has started an agroforestry program for the district and has formed a partnership with Washington State University (WSU) Extension Forester Patrick Shults. He is researching understory log mushroom growing, and Bigleaf maple syrup tapping. Through the partnership, Brausieck and Shults, along with several Puget Sound conservation districts, are collaborating on the implementation of harvestable riparian forest buffers.

Read the full story on NACD's blog.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 25, at 1:00pm ET, NACD President Michael Crowder will testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry at a hearing titled “Supporting Careers in Conservation: Workforce Training, Education, and Job Opportunities.”

President Crowder will address the challenges currently facing our conservation workforce, highlight the effects these issues have on conservation delivery, and detail NACD’s efforts to encourage and support the next generation of conservation professionals. Additional witnesses will include experts in conservation education and career development. To watch the hearing live, stream it on the Agriculture Committee’s website.

Stephen David Brunson, age 84, resident of Collierville, Tennessee, and husband of the late Susan Hill Brunson, departed this life Sunday afternoon, May 15, 2022.

Steve was widely known for his work as a conservationist. He was an early and active leader in soil and water conversation at the local, state, and national levels. He served as President of the Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts and later served on the board of the National Association of Conservation Districts.

Read more here.

The new program seeks to encourage, support, and highlight research from underrepresented groups in forestry and natural resources. The 2022 program will offer a $10,000 scholarship for a compelling research proposal. Scholarship funds will help bring the scholar to DC for unique networking opportunities and offset educational expenses. Graduate students, post-doctoral students, faculty, or early-career professionals (within 5 years of degree) are eligible to apply. Applications are due June 1 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaiian ST. 

Learn more and apply here.

• ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation; pre-proposals due May 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more.

• Bring Back the Native Fish Request for Proposals: pre-proposal due June 2, 2022 by 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more.

See the full library of upcoming grant opportunities from NFWF on their website.

Learn more 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!