By NACD Southeast Region Executive Board Member Jim Harreld

June 26, 2018—The impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria may have disappeared from daily news coverage, but they continue to weigh on millions of Americans—particularly those in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria pummeled the U.S. Atlantic island territories as Category 4 storms. It’s been more than eight months since these powerful storms hit the Caribbean, and cleanup efforts still have a long way to go. People are still using tarps for roofs. Areas are still without power. Trees are mangled and stripped of all foliage. Chicken coops and dairy barns are completely leveled. And while the island is continuously worried another storm could devastate the island again, conservation districts and their partners have not lost sight of the future. When NACD received a membership contribution from Puerto Rico last month, I wasn’t surprised: The leadership exhibited by the territory echoes the resiliency we have experienced this week during our visit.

I’ve been involved with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for over ten years, and it’s been a privilege to serve this organization as the southeast regional executive board member. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to talk with some of Puerto Rico’s conservation district officials (pictured) and outline the ways NACD can be a resource. Puerto Rico has a seat at the table, but they haven’t been able to participate in board meetings or take advantage of their voting privileges consistently for the past 15 years. However, receiving a full membership payment from the territory indicates they see the value or our organization and want to get involved. Coming here this week is giving us the opportunity to put faces to names and build connections with districts to generate prosperous relationships for years to come. Traditionally, the southeast region meeting rotates alphabetically through each state and territory in the region, and we are thrilled to learn Puerto Rico is committed to becoming a part of that rotation again in the future.

I am inspired by the work these folks are doing within conservation, but with June 1 marking the start of a new hurricane season, I am reminded of the ongoing aftermath hurricanes too often leave behind. Being from Mississippi, I can recall when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. There was round-the-clock coverage of helicopter rescues, homes completely underwater, people seeking refuge in sports stadiums. A simple mention of “Katrina” conjures up a heartbreaking image that I will not soon forget. Yet, most Americans cannot recall the specifics of the storms that hit Puerto Rico, despite it being twice as devastating as Katrina. This week has reminded me why it’s so important to extend a hand when one of our members is hurting. I think I can speak for all of us when I say none of us expected to feel so utilized and appreciated. Recovering is a priority, but leaders on the island are equally as committed to conservation and promoting the voluntary mission, and I can’t wait to see where that drive takes them.

While the island still has a long way to go, the work already being done to address the damage is inspiring. The conservation district representatives and partners we met with yesterday are extremely well-versed not only in the island’s resource concerns and obstacles but their opportunities as well. They are hungry to do more, and we are excited to see how this relationship flourishes after this week.