Fall2019 TheRESOURCE

If you have comments or questions about this edition or have ideas for the next edition of The Resource, please contact:

Sara Kangas Director of CommunicationsSara-Kangas@nacdnet.org

F a l l 2 0 1 9

About the coverThis edition’s cover photo was submitted to the 2018 NACD Photo Contest by Wayne Butler of Henrico, Va., representing Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District. Submissions for the 2019 Poster Contest and the 2019 Photo Contest are due Dec. 1, 2019. Winners will be announced at the 2020 Annual Meeting.

2 0 1 9 E X E C U T I V E B O A R DR E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Linda Brownson ............Northeast RegionAlex Schmidt ...........North Central RegionBevin Law ..............Northern Plains RegionBill Thomas ............. South Central RegionGary Blair ......................... Southeast RegionJim Berlier ...................... Southwest RegionTom Wehri ...............................Pacific RegionLuther Smith ............CTIC Representative

2 0 1 9 O F F I C E R S

Tim Palmer ...........................................PresidentMichael Crowder ..........First Vice PresidentKim LaFleur .............. Second Vice PresidentIan Cunningham .......Secretary-TreasurerBrent Van Dyke ....................... Past PresidentJeremy Peters ........ Chief Executive Officer

follow us: @nacdconserve

I n T h i s I s s u ePresident’s Perspective ..................................................... 3

CEO’s Column ........................................................................4

Districts at WorkBerks County Conservation DistrictCombats the Spotted Lanterfly ...................................6

Protecting Lake Tahoe’s Waters ..................................8

Districts Lead the Charge for Changesto the Endangered Species Act ..................................10

The Art of Water Managementand Conservation ..............................................................14

Extended ReportsSoil Health Champion Spotlight: Christian Bench ..................................................................18

Executive Directors Meet in Lake Tahoefor 2019 Conference ........................................................ 20

NACD’s Urban and CommunityInitiative ..................................................................................22

74th Annual Meeting BringsConservation Innovation to Las Vegas ................ 24

NCF-Envirothon: The New Season ........................... 28

National Conservation FoundationWorks to Strengthen Leaders ................................... 30

Government Affairs Update .......................................32

Another Perspective ...................................................... 34

Who We Are ......................................................................... 36

C O N T E N T S

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Fall 2019 | 33

President’s Perspective

Tim Palmer, President

Since the very first designs of a conservation practice were applied by landowners to their land to nullify the effects of Mother Nature, our understanding of soil and water has grown exponentially. We are at the point now where the customers of your conservation districts are trying new ways of working with our environment instead of trying to tame it.

We are in an uncommon time, where this coexistence with nature is important not only to our stewards, but to the suppliers we use, the buyers of our production, and the consumers—us. The innovators that we are or we all know are trying new ways to answer the demands of the marketplace.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere are higher than any time in at least the past 800,000 (yes, eight hundred thousand!) years. What we know is that plants breathe in carbon dioxide and store it in the soil, where it stays unless we release it. Plants can remove carbon dioxide and store it way cheaper than any other method, and with the added benefit of promoting the growth of other plants.

I have been involved on behalf of

NACD with the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium, serving on the Steering Committee since early 2018 before the association formally joined as a Legacy Partner Member in June of this year. As a member of the consortium, we are helping develop a market for carbon stored by agriculture conservation practices and for coinciding improvements in water quality and reductions in runoff. These markets will be based on measurement and proof and will be an opportunity to further conservation within each and every one of our conservation districts.

While the value of water quality is apparent when we turn on the tap or mitigate runoff to lessen flooding, the value of carbon stored is global and is dependent on verification by a trusted third party. Given our conservation districts’ proven, established relationships with their customers and their communities, we believe conservation districts will be able to provide that service. I look forward to continuing our work with the consortium to explore opportunities for conservation districts to expand their impact!

Sincerely,

Adding Tools to the Toolbox

CEO’s Column

“Today, there are nearly 3,000

conservation districts covering

virtually all acres in every U.S

state and

territory.

The resource

concerns are as

complex today

as ever, and yet,

Bennett’s broad

objectives are

just as relevant on this cool autumn day as they

were 80 years ago in November 1939

when Soil Conservation was first

published.

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Jeremy Peters, Chief Executive Officer

CEO’s Column

Fall 2019 | 55

Fall has definitely arrived in Washington, D.C. Cooler weather has finally settled in, and it is rapidly changing the maple tree from deep green to orange just outside my office window at NACD’s headquarters. The changing seasons always make me pensive, and so I recently turned to Hugh Hammond Bennett and his volume Soil Conservation for insight and wisdom.

Soil Conservation is a lengthy tome at 958 pages, and in it, Bennett identifies three broad objectives for a national program of soil conservation:

“For the purposes of this discussion, this program of soil and water conservation and land-use betterment may be divided broadly into three major phases, namely: 1. Education, to develop widespread understanding of the problems of sound land use and their solution; 2. Action by individuals through local mechanisms with the help of government, and 3. Efforts to relieve Economic and Social maladjustments in the use of land that impede conservation.” (p. 316)

Bennett goes on to expand on each objective, pointing out the continuous need for development of an intelligent public understanding of natural resources; the relationship between physical use of land and the ultimate economic and social consequences; and the emergence of soil conservation districts as a mechanism for cooperative conservation on a local scale as one of the most important developments in bringing a

democratic process to bear upon the field of soil conservation.

NACD continues to be guided by the three pillars of our mission statement, which closely mirror Bennett’s broad objectives: grassroots advocacy, education and partnerships. Those efforts are showcased in this edition of The Resource with stories ranging from action taken in states like Arizona, resulting in changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to the economic and social benefits of soil health practices utilized by New Jersey Soil Health Champion Christian Bench to the recent launch of educational resources for the 2020 National Conservation Foundation-Envirothon competition, which will be held next July in Nebraska.

At the time of Bennett’s writing, there were 133 soil conservation districts that had been formed, covering some 70 million acres. Today, there are nearly 3,000 conservation districts covering virtually all acres in every U.S. state and territory. The resource concerns are as complex today as ever, and yet, Bennett’s broad objectives are just as relevant on this cool autumn day as they were 80 years ago in November 1939 when Soil Conservation was first published.

I hope you enjoy the stories highlighted in this edition and thank you for all you do locally for conservation!

Three Broad Objectives for Soil Conservation

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Districts at Work

Berks County Conservation District Combats the Spotted LanternFLYParts of the Mid-Atlantic have been hit hard in the past five years by the spotted lanternfly. This invasive insect, which is native to parts of Asia, feeds on more than 70 species of plants, including trees and grapevines. It poses a huge threat to the agriculture industry. In Pennsylvania alone, the spotted lanternfly threatens the state’s agriculture industry, worth more than $28 million for grapes, $87 million for apples, more than $19 million for peaches and nearly $17 billion for hardwoods. Berks County lies in the heart of the infestation, and the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) has taken up the mantle of addressing this issue head-on.

BCCD has been at the table since the beginning, starting with education and outreach. Education is critical to combatting the spotted lanternfly, since this pest spreads so easily, including by hitching a ride on vehicles. With funding from USDA, BCCD began an outreach and education program in May 2017.

Later funding from Pennsylvania State University Extension continued the effort through June 2019. Over two years, BCCD taught nearly 2,000 students about the lifecycle of the spotted lanternfly and control measures for the pest. BCCD also hosted meetings and events on spotted lanternfly control in partnership with USDA, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) and Penn State Extension, reaching another nearly 2,000 individuals.

BCCD’s outreach efforts are important because everyday citizens can take several steps to control the spotted lanternfly on

their own. Scraping egg masses off trees, banding trees, and removing tree-of-heaven (another invasive species and the spotted lanternfly’s favorite host) can help control the insect. Individuals can also combat the spread of spotted lanternfly by checking their vehicles for the insect every time they travel in or out of the areas where they are found.

However, education and outreach for students and the general public is only one piece of the puzzle to control this invasive species. BCCD is also helping train municipalities as well. In Pennsylvania, PDA requires a permit to work on spotted lanternfly within the 14-county quarantine zone. BCCD has been training staff to prepare for the permitting test. In doing so, they are building the bench of individuals prepared to take on spotted lanternfly control.

Tree-of-HeavenAilanthus altissima

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Districts at Work

Scraping egg masses off trees, banding trees, and removing tree-of-heaven (another invasive species and the spotted lanternFLy’s favorite host) can help control the insect.

Now, BCCD is leading the way again. BCCD is the first district in the quarantine zone to launch an eradication program, funded by PDA and the State Conservation Commission (SCC). This year, BCCD conducted control work on 16 properties. BCCD’s eradication program is modeled on PDA’s “trap tree” program. Using this method, BCCD staff remove about 90 percent of the tree-of-heaven trees (pictured left) on a property. The remaining tree-of-heaven trees are treated with a systemic insecticide to kill the spotted lanternflies attracted to the trees in large numbers.

Moving forward, BCCD plans to double the size of its control program in 2020, while also continuing outreach and education efforts. BCCD’s Board is particularly interested in moving in the direction of invasive species work. Unfortunately, it appears that there will be plenty more work to do. While spotted lanternfly populations have been down in some parts of Berks County, there has been a population explosion in other areas that BCCD has not reached yet.

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Districts At Work

Many conservation districts work tirelessly in the battle against various invasive species across the country, often with great success. The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (RCD) in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., is one such example of a success story, as it protects its pristine watershed from aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada, is known for its clarity and depth as the largest alpine lake in the country. However, maintaining that clarity and keeping the lake free of contaminants, both organic and inorganic, requires coordination between many regional, state and federal partners.

For the past 11 years, Tahoe RCD has led the local efforts to protect Lake Tahoe from aquatic invasive species as co-chair of the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Coordination Committee (LTAISCC). The committee focuses on the detection, prevention

PROTECTING LAKE TAHOE’S WATERS

Fall 2019 | 99

Districts At Work

and control of any AIS, including weeds, mussels, clams and fish.

The efforts include inspecting and cleaning any motorized and non-motorized vessels expecting to enter the lake, as well as conducting outreach, standardizing methods for treatment and data collection, and prioritizing and conducting practices for AIS management.

The AIS program is such a significant part of the district’s workload that it hires 25-30 seasonal employees annually to help conduct boat inspections and other aspects of the work.

These valuable human hours contribute to inspecting over 8,000 boats each year, and in the 11 years of the program, no new invasive species have been identified in the lake.

Additionally, the district’s successful efforts have led to employees contributing to national discussions

on decontamination and inspection standards that serve as a guide for other programs throughout the U.S. and in a handful of other countries.

Much of this work is funded through grants, boat inspection fees and successful partnerships regionally, but Tahoe RCD Executive Director Nicole Cartwright emphasized the need to maintain these local partnerships as costs slowly increase through time. Nonetheless, the AIS Program leadership, including Cartwright and AIS Program Manager Chris Kilian are clearly dedicated and passionate about the program and expect to maintain their ongoing success and regional partnerships.

“Tahoe RCD is proud to be a leader and partner in the effort to keep invasive species out of Lake Tahoe’s clear, blue waters for the past 11 years,” said Cartwright. “We look forward to many more years of success.”

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Districts Lead the Charge for Changes to Endangered Species Act

Districts At Work

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Districts Lead the Charge for Changes to Endangered Species Act

Districts At Work

he Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) declared that the federal government shall seek to conserve endangered species and threatened species. Although it has the best intentions, ESA is known as one of the nation’s most controversial environmental laws.

Continued on page 12

T

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In 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) received a petition to list the Sonoran Desert tortoise in Arizona as an endangered species. The tortoise’s habitat covers an area over the expanse of one-third of the state and all its major metropolitan areas. In the petition, the primary threat to the tortoises’ survival was livestock grazing. The Winkelman Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD) in Kearny, Ariz., recognized this as an imminent threat to its customers and its local economy. After the district coordinated with other organizations and the USFWS, it was later determined that the Sonoran Desert tortoise was a distinct population segment and warranted listing, and that livestock grazing was not a threat to the species’ survival. The district helped create the best management practices that protected grazing in the tortoises’ habitat, as well as create a Candidate Conservation Agreement for federal lands and a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances for private landowners. After litigation requesting a final decision, the USFWS determined the tortoise did not meet the definition of a threatened or endangered species and removed it from the candidate list. Winkelman NRCD and the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts worked with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), USFWS, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department for several years on the species’ conservation. The battle to list the Sonoran Desert tortoise is still ongoing, as the USFWS recently received another petition to list the species. Although the work done by Winkelman NRCD is considered a victory for locally-led conservation, the administration recently implemented three final rules to help improve the listing process. On Aug. 27, the Departments of the Interior and Commerce (also known as the “Services”) published final versions of the Section 4, 4(d) and 7 rules of the ESA.

Districts At Work

Fall 2019 | 1313

Section 7:

Section 7 rule formalizes the consultation process between the Services and other federal agencies on whether a proposed, discretionary federal action will jeopardize the existence of a threatened or endangered species. The consultation process will review the proposed

Section 4:

The final rule revises the listing process and critical habitat designations for petitioned species by adopting a framework to determine the “foreseeable future” for the species, analysis of the occupied critical habitat, and requirements for designating unoccupied critical habitat. On a case-by-case basis, the Services will determine the “foreseeable future” as the period that they can reasonably determine future threats and the species’ responses to those threats that are likely to occur. When a recovery plan incorporates an unoccupied area, it will need to contain one or more physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species. The Services will also consider “landowner willingness” to engage in the preservation of the petitioned species on private land. This rule requires the Services to go through

Section 4(d):

It is essential to understand the statutory difference between threatened and endangered status - endangered species means “any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range” and threatened species means “any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant

Conservation districts should begin seeing on-the-ground implementation of these regulations to better protect threatened and endangered species. In the future, we hope great conservation and coordination success stories similar to the Sonoran Desert tortoise become a lot more common.

portion of its range.” This final rule removes the blanket “4(d) rule,” which provides the same protections for threatened species and endangered species. As a result, the Services will explain how they intend to manage any newly listed species. This approach aligns the USFWS with the long-standing practice of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

impacts to environmental baseline conditions, effects of the action and cumulative effects on the protected species. Further, by setting deadlines for the Services’ concurrence on informal determinations, these efforts should expedite the environmental review analysis.

the same scientific process to add or remove protections for species listed under the ESA. The Services emphasized that delisting cannot solely be contingent on achieving the goals within a recovery plan. To delist a species, the Services must certify that a species is extinct, no longer meets the definition of endangered or threatened, or no longer meets the definition of the protected species. Additionally, the rule allows for the Services to publish the economic impact of a listing determination. The Services made it explicitly clear that all determinations are made solely on the best available scientific and commercial information available and will not consider the economic impact. The ESA does not statutorily preclude the Services from compiling economic information regarding a listing determination or making that information public.

Districts At Work Districts At WorkSection 4, 4(d) and 7 rules will only apply to newly listed species and do not amend existing recovery plans for species already protected under the ESA. See below for ESA changes in detail.

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Districts At Work Districts At Work

The Art of

WATER MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION

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Districts At Work

The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Noblesville, Ind., just completed its fifth annual Rain on Main, a one-week event that helps to raise awareness of water quality and conservation, as well as provide water education signage in Carmel Clay Parks.

Each year, the district purchases 65-gallon, urn-style rain barrels and recruits local artists to paint them and turn them into one-of-a-kind

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Districts At Work Districts At Workworks of art. For one week in August, these barrels turn heads as they line the Arts and Design District on Main Street in Carmel, Ind. Community members are encouraged to take an active part in the event by voting for their favorite barrels on Facebook in a “People’s Choice Contest” and bidding on the barrels in an online auction. In addition, each barrel is entered into the “Judged Art Competition,” where a panel of experts judge the barrels and award cash prizes to the first-, second- and third-place artists. The event wraps up on the following Saturday at the local farmers market, where all rain barrels are featured prominently.

While not everyone can purchase these one-of-a-kind rain barrels, this annual tradition provides an opportunity for residents to learn about the importance of water conservation and the incentive programs available. Carmel residents may qualify for a cost-share rebate of $50-75 on their stormwater utility bill for installing certain conservation practices that collect and/or infiltrate stormwater and prevent it from leaving their property. This includes practices such as the use of rain barrels and the installation of rain gardens and permeable pavers.

“Rain barrels are a great gateway practice to get people excited about conservation and the environment,” said Claire Lane, urban conservationist with the Hamilton County SWCD. “They allow us to connect with people and other groups that we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.”

The event also provides great value to the district by establishing local partnerships with the city’s stormwater engineering department and utilities department. While

Districts At Work

each partner comes to the table with a different concern, everyone’s focus is on water resource management, Lane observed.

Additional partnerships in the community are key to making this event a success, from recruiting artists and judges to the donated resources and volunteered time from local businesses. While the district uses the proceeds to fund water education in its own community, Lane said that such an event can be a great fundraiser for any district when it comes to addressing a local need. She encourages other districts to start small by investing in four or five barrels, utilizing donations and assistance from local businesses, and establishing local partners who will also benefit. Additionally, much of the promotional materials can be produced in-house and utilized each year.

To learn more about Rain on Main, visit the event’s website and follow its Facebook page.

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Extended Report

Fall 2019 | 1919

Extended Report Extended Report

Christian Bench grew up on a small family farm in Hunterdon County, N.J. Thanks to his upbringing and his experience with 4-H, Christian now manages a growing operation with his wife Marci and their nine-month-old son, Parker in Stockton, N.J. The Benches’ farm consists of 350 acres of equine hay, some corn, 35 head of beef cattle and 60 ewes. Bench has been able to take advantage of New Jersey’s longer growing season and higher forage capabilities compared to other states and implement several soil health practices on his farm.

Within the past five years, the Bench family has already integrated no-till and cover crops in their operation. According to Bench, to get the full benefits of a no-till system, incorporating cover crops is a necessity, otherwise the system doesn’t work to its potential. Looking ahead, Bench would like to further diversify his cropland by growing more corn and a little less hay, as well as possibly adding in some soybeans and small grains.

Marci Bench is an integral part of the operation, where she manages the livestock. Currently, the family uses pasture rotation and some mob grazing, but the Benches are looking to bring the livestock in to graze the spring cover crops, giving their pasture a bit more of a resting period, and at the same time, adding nutrients to their cropland. By integrating livestock into the operation to graze the cover crops, Bench aspires to take the family’s operation to the next level in regenerative agriculture.

In addition to running a farming operation, Christian works for the North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council as an agricultural specialist. While managing these two jobs can be tricky, he has some

flexibility with his position at the RC&D, as well as support at home from Marci. As a farmer, Bench knows the challenges his peers in the community face and works to assist them. The extremely high tax base puts a premium on the investment these farmers have in their land, so protecting their land is top priority. With highly erodible land and an historic plow pan, farmers are finding that cover crops are a great tool to address these concerns.

The New Jersey Soil Health Initiative provides the North Jersey RC&D an opportunity to help producers through the aerial cover crop program. Bench meets with the farmers in advance of the season to decide what cover crop seed mix to use based on their goals, whether it’s fighting compaction and erosion, adding nutrients, building organic matter or promoting biological activity. It is also important that the cover crops they choose are easy to terminate. By using federal dollars from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the North Jersey RC&D manages all the logistics with the aerial seeding program, from purchasing the seed to arranging the aerial application service. This leaves the farmer with no added responsibility.

As both a producer and an agricultural specialist, Bench holds a unique and vital role in his community. For more information on Bench, be sure to visit his profile on the NACD website.

If you or someone you know would like to join the NACD Soil Health Champions Network, please contact NACD North Central Region Representative Beth Mason at beth-mason@nacdnet.org.

2020 | Fall 2019

Extended Report

In September, 17 executive directors of state conservation district associations met in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., for the 2019 NACD Executive Directors’ Conference, hosted by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.

Representing all seven of NACD’s regions, the executive directors present at the meeting ranged in tenure from six months on the job to up to nine years, and many of the executives had not previously met their colleagues from other states. The full two-day agenda was instrumental in making these connections and providing a forum to discuss issues relevant to the conservation partnerships across the country.

To help provide context for the work each state association conducts, each executive presented a program or project from their

state on the first day of the meeting. Some of the programs highlighted include Illinois’ Saving Tomorrow’s Agricultural Resources (STAR); Indiana’s Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI); Georgia’s feral hog program; and Oregon’s unique approach to funding districts and maintaining watershed health in the state.

Over the next day and a half, the executives covered different approaches for balancing budgets and generating revenue for the state associations as well as the districts. The attendees also discussed the long-term sustainability of the conservation partnership in each state, including the role of the NACD technical assistance grants in building district capacity across the nation and overseas territories.

In attempting to learn from each other, participants also suggested opportunities for sharing information throughout the year: with each other through various virtual formats like the new NACD online forums, with their member districts, general public, policymakers, and others. Several presentations provided further opportunities to build partnerships across state boundaries, while also identifying ways the executive directors can work together in the future. They will next meet at NACD’s 74th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev.

Executive Directors Meet in Lake Tahoe for 2019 Conference

Fall 2019 | 2121

Extended Report Extended Report

On Oct. 9-11, NACD held its annual staff retreat at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center in Reisterstown, Md. Twenty-one of the organization’s 23 staff members were in attendance for the three-day retreat, which featured conversation and coordination on current projects, as well as brainstorming ideas and delivery methods for future projects. Staff discussed the organization’s work culture statement, draft 2020-2022 Strategic Plan and grant deliverables.

On Wednesday, Oct. 9, staff members brainstormed outreach ideas for NACD’s 2020 Stewardship Week and online conservation hub; lessons learned and next steps for NACD’s Listening Sessions; how NACD members can benefit from the new online discussion board and more.

On Thursday, Oct. 10, staff reviewed grant deliverables for Fiscal Year 2020 and were joined by Michael Brunner with Brunner & Associates, who helped facilitate a comprehensive review and discussion of NACD’s draft 2020-22 Strategic Plan.

On the final day, department directors invited staff to reflect and brainstorm on the organization’s upcoming campaigns and programming, including NACD’s 75th Anniversary, the National Conservation Foundation’s (NCF) Next Generation Leadership Institute program, membership trends and more.

Between plenary sessions, staff had the opportunity to participate in some outdoor activities, including fishing and maneuvering through a challenging ropes course, which helped foster team bonding, communication and a different kind of collaboration.

From discussing the organization’s mission statement and culture to reflecting on personal successes and goals, staff members left the retreat with a better understanding and outlook for how NACD can continue to advocate for locally-led conservation districts and their associations moving forward.

NACD Staff Look to the NACD Staff Look to the Future at 2019 Staff RetreatFuture at 2019 Staff Retreat

2222 | Fall 2019

The NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group (RPG), a subcommittee of district officials and partners, offers free monthly webinars through the support of sole sponsor The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. Over 2,100 members and guests have participated in one or more webinars since they began in September 2012. These webinars are designed to showcase the urban and community conservation work of conservation districts and help others replicate their efforts across the country. The information shared demonstrates services provided, how to design and fund them as well as

NACD’s Urban and Community RPG Announces Upcoming Webinars

examples of key partners and resources.

The fiscal year 2020 schedule is now available at

www.nacdnet.org/general-resources/webinars/. Upcoming webinar topics include developing a successful community wildfire preparedness program; information on pollinators research;

green infrastructure and environmental justice; land management certification programs; and much more!

The webinars are typically held 12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the third Thursday of each month. The topic and registration process are announced through NACD’s calendar and weekly online newsletter, eResource. Recordings and PDFs of past webinars are posted on NACD’s website. For more information, contact NACD Senior Advisor Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org.

Extended Report

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On Monday, Oct. 28, NACD announced the fourth round of funding through the Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Grant Program for fiscal year 2020.

Since 2016, NACD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have partnered through the UAC Grant Program to enhance conservation districts’ technical assistance activities in developed or developing areas.

In this round of funding, NACD and NRCS will award grants of up to $50,000 for approximately 18 districts. NACD is accepting project proposals through Friday, Jan. 10, 2020.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern, NACD will host a free webinar to review the Request for Proposals (RFP) and respond to members’ questions.

2020 UAC Grants Initiative

To learn more about the initiative and to best prepare for the webinar, please visit NACD’s website, which includes the RFP and Frequently Asked Questions documents.

The webinar will also be posted online for those who are unable to attend. If you have any questions prior to the webinar, please contact NACD Senior Advisor Deb Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org or 303-988-1893 by Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Extended Report Extended Report

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Extended Report

74th Annual Meeting Brings

Conservation Innovation

to Las Vegas

74th Annual 74th Annual Meeting Meeting Brings Brings

Conservation Conservation Innovation Innovation

to Las Vegasto Las Vegas

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NACD’s 74th Annual Meeting will take place in Las Vegas, Nev., from Feb. 8-12, 2020 at the Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

Hosted in partnership with the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts (NVACD), the 2020 Annual Meeting will focus on the theme “Conservation Innovation: Working from the Roots Up” and will explore innovative approaches for delivering conservation on the ground. This will include a Conservation Innovation Fair within the NACD Conservation Expo, which will feature collaborators across the public, private and nonprofit sector whose innovations help support conservation delivery. Confirmed speakers include Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Matt Lohr and National Association of Farm Broadcasting President-elect Rita Frazer. There will also be a panel featuring the top national foundations whose missions are dedicated to conservation.

This year’s tours will include visits to the Hoover Dam, Mountain Springs Park and the Eldorado Gold Mine (learn more on the next page).

Save $15 and register online now! Just sign in to your NACD account to complete your registration. To reserve your room, click here or call 702-967-4111 and say you’re with NACD. Reservations must be completed by Friday, Jan. 17, 2020.

Check out the next two pages for some exciting details on this year’s meeting.

Extended Report Extended Report

Thank you to our meeting sponsors!

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2020 annual meeting tours2020 annual meeting tours2020 annual meeting toursAt this year’s Annual Meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to visit several iconic sites within the Battle Born State, including the Hoover Dam; Las Vegas’s top tourist attractions like the Springs Preserve, Fremont Street and the Las Vegas Welcome Sign; a special show from Cirque Du Soleil; a tour through the Colorado River and Eldorado Gold Mine and more!

To read a full description of each tour, visit NACD’s Annual Meeting webpage.

2020 Conservation careers workshop2020 Conservation 2020 Conservation careers workshopcareers workshopThe second year of the Conservation Careers Workshop will take place during Annual Meeting.

This unique opportunity for undergraduate college students is an NACD program, sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); the United States Forest Service (USFS); and the National Conservation Partnership.

The workshop will provide an immersive experience for up to 15 highly qualified undergraduate college students and will showcase career paths in conservation, agriculture and natural resources management. Attendees will learn about career options within the National Conservation Partnership, meet conservation professionals, and make valuable contacts.

Any undergraduate college student in a conservation, agriculture or natural resource management related major is eligible and encouraged to apply. Travel costs to and from

the workshop, as well as lodging and meals while attending, will be covered by NACD and the workshop program. Student applicants will be selected based on educational, extracurricular and work experience, overall GPA and written responses to two short form essay questions.

To apply, visit the online application. The deadline for application submissions is Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

To learn more, visit the 2020 Conservation Careers Workshop webpage. Please contact NACD South Central Region Representative Keith Owen at keith-owen@nacdnet.org for any questions.

Extended Report

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2020 Live auction2020 Live auction2020 Live auctionNACD is accepting donations for the 2020 Live Auction, which will be held on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. A longstanding tradition at the annual meeting, the auction has always been a successful fundraiser and event favorite.

This year’s auction will see an exciting change in how the funds raised will be utilized, as all proceeds will go to the National Conservation Foundation (NCF), NACD’s sister organization, to support NCF’s work in identifying and advancing the next generation of conservation leaders through the NCF-Envirothon, NACD Stewardship and Education Programs, and the NCF-Next Generation Leadership Institute.

You can donate items through our online donation form. The deadline for all auction items to be included in the 2020 Live Auction booklet is Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. Auction items will be accepted on site throughout the day on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact NACD South Central Region Representative Keith Owen at keith-owen@nacdnet.org or 405-360-3503.

First Time ScholarshipsFirst Time ScholarshipsFirst Time ScholarshipsThanks to the generous support of Agri Drain, NACD will be offering a limited number of first time NACD annual meeting attendee scholarships. Only one person per state or territory may receive a scholarship, and selected individuals must stay in the NACD room block at Bally’s Las Vegas.

Scholarship recipients will receive a complimentary full meeting registration and a ticket to Tuesday night’s Appreciation Banquet.

To apply, please submit your name to your state or territory association of conservation districts for consideration. Once the association selects a scholarship recipient in cooperation with their NACD board member, they will fill out this online form no later than Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. Scholarships will be considered on a first come, first serve basis.

Visit NACD’s 2020 Annual Meeting webpage to learn more.

Extended Report

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Extended Report

The NCF-Envirothon has had an active fall season. With the release of the 2020 NCF-Envirothon Key Topics, Learning Objectives and Resources last month, the 2020 competition season is officially underway. The Current Issue topic for 2020 is “Water Resource Management: Local Control and Local Solutions.” Thousands of students from across the U.S., Canada and China will delve deep into this important resource issue on a local, regional and global scale. That information, along with the in-class curriculum and hands-on field experiences

in aquatic ecology, forestry, soils/land use and wildlife management, will be the basis for determining which teams will win a chance to attend the 2020 NCF-Envirothon annual international competition next July 26-31, 2020 in Lincoln, Neb., at the University of Nebraska.

To engage new teams and increase the visibility of the program, the NCF-Envirothon has attended two large events this past month. From Oct. 16-19, 2019, the NCF-Envirothon attended the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE) 48th Annual Conference. There were more than 1,200 educators from across North America and overseas in attendance. The NCF-Envirothon was spotlighted during a

NCF-ENVIROTHON: THE NEW SEASON

NCF-ENVIROTHON: THE NEW SEASON

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Extended Report

conference session and had a booth in the exhibit hall. From there, the NCF-Envirothon traveled to the 92nd annual National FFA Convention & Expo from Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Indianapolis, Ind., at the Indiana Convention Center. The annual convention and expo drew thousands of FFA members and their advisors from across the U.S. and was a huge opportunity for the NCF-Envirothon to reach out to many students who might be interested in participating.

The fall season also brought a new look to the NCF-Envirothon website. The redesigned site keeps ease of access in mind: streamlining menus, simplifying navigation, building a responsive layout for all platforms,

and providing more resources and information on the program and available services. NCF-Envirothon will continue to expand resources available online, including the curriculum guidelines and resource materials, to deliver the most updated and relevant information on environment and natural resource education.

To stay connected on social media, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

NCF-ENVIROTHON: THE NEW SEASON

NCF-ENVIROTHON: THE NEW SEASON

@NCFEnvirothon @NAEnvirothon @ncfenvirothon

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National Conservation Foundation Works to Strengthen Leaders

Extended Report

Fall 2019 | 3131

If one thing has become clear with the first round of applications for the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI), it is this: Our country is full of district officials who are ambitious, sincere and hungry for knowledge.

During the fall of 2019, the NGLI selection committee read and heard exceptional narratives from applicants from across the country. These voices conveyed their dedication to their communities, families, land and to conservation district service. They talked about the importance of building relationships, listening with an open heart, and learning more from their failures than from their successes.

Each applicant told heartfelt stories about the leaders in their own lives, such as the coworker who always focused on the positive and the spouse who can speak to thousands with grace and confidence. They listed their own skills with humble words, and each one was firm in how they wanted to build their skills through the offerings of the NGLI program. They wanted to know more, be more and do more for conservation.

These conservation district leaders want to bring people together in times of conflict and learn strategies to communicate to diverse audiences. Thanks to the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) and crucial support from sponsors and donors, NGLI is well on its way to providing this opportunity to seven of our nation’s best during the

inaugural 2020 program.

After hearing the voices of these eager leaders, we know that seven is too few seats. But smart programs start small and make room to grow. When these leaders asked how more seats could be offered in the future, the answer was simple: the NGLI program needs more believers.

The recently launched NCF Fall Campaign, “Investing in Tomorrow,” is where believers in next generation conservation leadership will bring change. The campaign will bring in the support needed to train those who will lead our nation into the future of conservation district work through both NGLI and the NCF-Envirothon. With every donation, the promise of another leader gaining skills and knowledge through NGLI and the NCF-Envirothon increases .

We know that the first class of NGLI will take these important concepts a long way for the future of conservation districts for our nation, and we know that the potential is great for many classes to come.

Someday, we will all look back on the times when we supported someone with meaningful help for a noble endeavor. These are the times when our own value is defined, and it is a reflection of who each of us is as a leader that supported those in need. Will you be one of the people who made a difference?

Extended Report

3232 | Fall 2019

Fall is always a busy time in Congress as it works to extend funding for the federal government at the beginning of each fiscal year on October 1. Although regular order would dictate passage of each appropriations bill for the entirety of the next fiscal year, Congress has unfortunately been mired in short-term funding bills for the past several years. This has led Congress to continually revisit funding to ensure the federal government doesn’t shut down, or in some instances, to ensure the government reopens.

As of the end of fiscal year 2019 (September 30), both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees had passed their respective Agriculture Appropriations bills to fund most activities at USDA, as well as their Interior Appropriations bills to fund activities within the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Forest Service. However, only the House passed the two bills out of the full Chamber before the 2019 fiscal year ended, requiring Congress to pass a short term spending bill (also known as a continuing resolution (CR)) until November 21, extending current federal funding levels until that date. Since October 1, the Senate has passed both of these spending bills, and the two Chambers are now working toward an agreement to fund the agencies through the end of fiscal year 2020. Although the November 21 deadline is still a few days away, NACD does not expect the work to merge the two Chambers’ bills will be complete by then. NACD anticipates another short-term CR to be enacted, perhaps through the end of the year, in order to give Congress additional time to complete its work. For more information on spending figures important to conservation districts, please reference NACD’s Blog on fiscal year 2020 appropriations.

To: Conservation LeadersFrom: NACD Government AffairsSubject: Government Affairs Update

MEMORANDUM

Government Affairs Update

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Within USDA and DOI, several regulatory actions have taken place in the past few months, including the official repeal of the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule on September 13. The EPA is now in the final stages of finalizing its revised definition to update the 1980s-era rule that has now come back into effect; NACD submitted comments on the proposed rule in April. NRCS and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) have also been working toward implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill, and although full proposed or interim rules for the major programs have not yet been released, each agency has been working on smaller sections of the bill.

In late summer, FSA held two listening sessions and solicited public comments on Section 12615 of the 2018 Farm Bill, which required FSA to accept alternative documentation in order to provide a farm number to a landowner. Through the current system, historically underserved populations, particularly African American and Native American agriculture producers, have had difficulties obtaining a farm number, excluding these populations from participation in conservation programs. Section 12615 helps to rectify this issue, and NACD submitted public comments on August 30 supporting this provision and providing input on proper implementation.

NRCS has also been moving forward by publishing the first in a set of revised practice standards as required by the 2018 Farm Bill. Public comments on these revised standards are open until November 22, and NACD encourages all conservation districts to review these and future releases to ensure local needs and input are included in these updated standards.

NACD will continue to work with these agencies and with Congress to advocate for locally-led conservation priorities. To stay up to date on the latest conservation news, subscribe to NACD’s publications.

Government Affairs Update Government Affairs Update

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For over 180 years, John Deere has been committed to those linked to the land. This ethic is the basis for our long-standing support of NACD and its valuable role in providing practical and tailored approaches to conservation through stakeholders aligned on achieving more sustainable outcomes.

John Deere’s mission is to advance agricultural productivity and conservation synergistically through precision solutions rooted in data and information that drive more intelligent decisions and practices. Soil and water conservation have played an important and historical role in the advancement of agricultural production and land and resource stewardship. Equally, conservation is critical to the future of agriculture and the provision of food, fiber, feed and fuel for a growing population. We are pleased to support NACD’s mission to advance and develop present and future opportunities through its national leadership

Precision and Partnership: Advancing Productivity and Conservation

and tailored local support for over 3,000 conservation districts. With increasing attention to the management of soil, water and carbon as key resources, John Deere recognizes NACD’s role in the balanced relationship between agricultural productivity and land stewardship. The NACD mission of supporting conservation through advocacy and education requires and benefits from precision and partnership to advance conservation. Deere’s commitment to advancing agricultural productivity and conservation through innovation and environmental stewardship is illustrated in the recently released John Deere Global Sustainability Report. Deere has invested heavily in precision agriculture technologies for over 20 years – using data and information to provide solutions to support producer choices on production and resource management both in the field and at the edge of the field.As an application of conservation, Deere

Another Perspective

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Another Perspective

Precision and Partnership: Advancing Productivity and Conservation

innovations allow customers to use less fuel as well as plant seeds and apply fertilizer and herbicide with pinpoint accuracy. These innovations permit farmers not only to be more productive and profitable as they feed a growing population, but also to safeguard the soil, water and air. Fewer inputs and higher yields drive higher production, which is critical to feeding a growing population and ensuring that we will protect our environment and ability to produce for future generations. To support agricultural productivity and conservation, Deere has partnered with local conservation districts and producers to conduct research and demonstration projects to improve nutrient management, as well as water quantity and quality management. These projects and demonstrations have been critical to developing improved precision solutions and communicating the results and application.

Within Deere’s commitment to those linked to the land, Deere’s national dealer network and field support staff are in place to support our customers and stakeholders in advancing production and conservation equally. Our partnerships with our customer, channel and conservation districts are critical to applying precision management to advance productivity and conservation. John Deere values its partnership with NACD for its precise approach to advancing soil and water conservation in synergy with agricultural productivity. This collective focus will increase in importance with the continued evolution and revolution in modern agriculture.

Learn more about John Deere at https://www.deere.com/en/index.html.

3636 | Fall 2019

Beth MasonNorth Central

Region RepresentativeIndiana

Who We Are

Coleman GarrisonDirector of

Government AffairsWashington, D.C.

Deb BogarSenior Advisor

Colorado

Diana BlackwoodStewardship and

Education CoordinatorWashington, D.C.

Eric HansenGovernment Affairs

ManagerWashington, D.C.

Jeff BurwellSouthwest Region

RepresentativeColorado

Adam PughNatural Resource Policy SpecialistWashington, D.C.

Ariel RiversPacific Region Representative

California

Ariel StewartAccounting Coordinator

Washington, D.C.

Diya RamExecutive AssistantWashington, D.C.

Candice AbinantiSoutheast Region

RepresentativeNorth Carolina

Jennifer BrooksNCF-Envirothon

Program ManagerNorth Carolina

Fall 2019 | 3737

Kimberly UldricksDirector of Membership

Washington, D.C.

Jeremy PetersChief Executive Officer

Washington, D.C.

Karla MaldonadoDirector of Finance and

AdministrationWashington, D.C.

Who We Are

Mike BeacomForestry Specialist

Wisconsin

Rich DuesterhausDirector of Projects and

PartnershipsWashington, D.C.

Sara KangasDirector of

Communications Washington, D.C.

Sunni Heikes-KnaptonNorthern Plains Region

RepresentativeMontana

Laura DemmelDirector of Development

Montana

Lucy SearsCommunications

CoordinatorWashington, D.C.

Meg LeaderProjects and Partnerships

CoordinatorIndiana

Keith OwenSouth Central

Region RepresentativeOklahoma

Katrina VaitkusCommunications

CoordinatorWashington, D.C.

Submit to Submit to NACD’s NACD’s Photo Photo

ContestContest

Submit your entry by Dec. 1, 2019 Submit your entry by Dec. 1, 2019

The photo contest is open to all amateur photographers who reside in the U.S. or its territories. Contestants are allowed to enter up to five photos in each of the four categories: conservation practices, close-up conservation, conservation in action, and agriculture and conservation across America.

Learn more and submit your entry by clicking here.