2018 Annual Meeting Breakout Sessions
Please click on the presenter’s name to view a copy of their presentation.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Please email NACD Northeast Region Representative and Policy Specialist Eric Hansen.
| Monday, January 29 | ||
| 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | ||
| Presenters: Franklin SWCD (OH) – Jennifer Fish and Sara Ernst; SWCDs of Montana – Ann McCauley and Kate Arpin | Communications: Expanding outreach methods for better conservation engagement | Innovative, non-traditional approaches to working with the public help districts with budget constraints reach new audiences, emphasizing the benefits that really matter to inspire adoption of conservation behaviors. This session describes how to develop new approaches that can move conservation districts, their services, and their members into the digital age. |
| Presenters: Lyla Dettmer and Chris Hatch, Franklin SWCD (ID); Leigh Love, Oneida SWCD; Kerry Christiansen, Central and North Bingham SCDs; Callie Johnson, Portneuf SWCD; Matthew J. Ward Hudson-Essex-Passaic SCD (NJ) | District Operations and Member Services: Building participation in diverse audiences | Engaging new audiences is critical for building district capacity. Learn how to design trainings that use comedy to engage your audience and how to build bridges to different demographics in your community. |
| Presenters: Erika Larsen and Cyd Curtis, U.S. EPA; Lisa Ogden, Natrona County CD (WY); Erich Henry, Blount County SCD (TN) |
Natural Resources Policy and Protection: Conservation district EPA 319 Nonpoint Source program grant opportunities | The EPA’s 319 Nonpoint Source grants award funding to districts and other partners to improve water quality in a specific watershed. Whether your district has had a 319 Nonpoint Source grant in the past or is looking for funding for water-related projects, this workshop is a must! Participants will hear success stories and learn about program updates, nonpoint source management plans, statewide nutrient strategies, watershed-based planning, and how to develop a proposal and apply for a 319 grant. |
| Presenters: Diana Blackwood, NACD; Coleta Bratten, Dewey County CD; Lynn Pilewski, Greenville County SWCD |
Stewardship and Education: Effective education made simple |
How can your district provide a comprehensive education plan without breaking the bank? This session describes engaging activities and techniques to teach students from kindergarten to high school the importance of watersheds, the NACD Stewardship and Education theme for 2018. |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | ||
| Presenters: Debbie Absher, David Baird, Richard Carlisle, Sussex Conservation District; Jennifer Nelson, Resource Smart LLC; and Delaware Soil Health Champions Jay Baxter, Brad Ritter, and Chip Baker | Communications: We dig healthy soils! Building a successful soil health program in your district |
Learn how to develop a program promoting soil health management practices and encouraging the planting of cover crops. This session includes tried and true tips on how to engage attendees and organize successful field days and workshops. |
| Presenter: Jason Weinerman, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources | District Operations and Member Services: Dollars for districts: How to form the ‘ask’ | This session will provide districts with a model to follow as they develop operational budgets, build and evaluate relationships with their county board, and present budget proposals. Learn how to enhance the discussion of local funding and optimize your district’s value within the county board’s budget. |
| Presenters: April Mendez, Fresh Coast Capital; Ricardo Bayon, Encourage Capital; George Kelly, RES | Natural Resources Policy and Protection: Conservation finance: Private investment, public good |
There is a growing interest in attracting private investments to support existing federal conservation programs. This session will show how conservation finance has been used in forestry and highlight ways that districts can get involved. |
| Presenter: Linda Pettit, Franklin SWCD (OH) | Stewardship and Education: Interactive models for tactile learners |
Models and simulations are a great way to attract attention, capture audience interest, and enhance understanding and awareness. This session will provide inspiration and instructions for various easy-to-make models and simulations for both educational and outreach programs and presentations. |
| Tuesday, January 30 | ||
| 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | ||
| Presenters: Mike Beacom, NACD; Betty Jo Tompkins, Hillsborough SWCD (FL); LeAnn Buck, Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts |
Communications: Communications 101: How to reach your audience |
Every conservation district has a story to tell. Make sure yours is heard by learning how to use best practices for media relations, press releases, story writing, social media, and more in this interactive session that guides you through how to create a communications strategy. |
| Presenters: Mindy Selman, USDA Office of Environmental Markets; Reggie Hall, The Conservation Fund |
District Operations and Member Services: Environmental markets: New funding for conservation |
With growing interest in private conservation investments and the development of additional tools and resources, districts are well-positioned for new, diversified income. This session will focus on the mechanics of conservation finance and emerging opportunities for conservation districts. |
| Presenters: Alex Schmidt, Conservation Districts of Iowa; Nikki Hawk, Mercer SWCD; Terry Mescher, Ohio Department of Agriculture. |
Natural Resources Policy and Protection: Pathways to water quality |
Attend this session to learn about innovative ways that districts are stepping up to improve water quality. This session will review water regulations, their effect on water quality, and the importance of partnerships in addressing the impact of nitrogen, wildlife, and manure management on water quality. |
| Presenters: Carlyn Morales, Upper Delta SWCD (LA); Jean Eells, PhD, E Resources Group, LLC, Women, Food and Agriculture Network |
Stewardship and Education: Conservation partnerships: How to engage female landowners and producers | Women own or co-own a significant amount of land across the United States; learn outreach practices in this session to engage female landowners as conservation partners and help them understand how their decisions can influence and support conservation efforts. |
| 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM | ||
| Presenters: Marcy Lowe, Datu Research, LLC; Dan Diaz, Lena, IL and Michael Willis, King City, MO, NACD Soil Health Champions |
Communications: Soil health: Cost effective or cost prohibitive? | Datu Research, LLC and NACD conducted four three-year case studies in the Upper Mississippi River Basin exploring the cost of soil health practices. Datu researchers will dig into their findings and share the science behind the economics. Plus, you’ll hear directly from two of the participating farmers about the real impact of these practices on their land and bottom lines. |
| Presenters: Frank Clearfield, NACD Survey Administrator & Sociologist; Mark Masters, the Center for Behavioral and Experimental Agri-Environmental Research (CBEAR) |
District Operations and Member Services: Conservation by the numbers |
NACD’s annual survey provides an opportunity to analyze our impact and reach. In this session, NACD and CBEAR will provide the results of the annual survey, insights into our results, and discuss how your conservation district can utilize behavioral economics lessons to implement successful, lasting programs. |
| Presenters: Brian Johnston, NDASCD; Stephen Johnson, Palouse CD; Doug Allen, Washington NRCS; Walt Edelen, Spokane CD; Chris Workman, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources |
Natural Resources Policy and Protection: Increase your impact: Partnerships in conservation | Attend this session to learn how collaborating with diverse partners can increase the impact of conservation on the ground. Learn how Farm Bill Specialists in North Dakota help to bridge the information gap; how to submit a proposal and roll out RCPP programs; and how these partnerships help move districts into new arenas. |
| Presenters: Andy Ertel, Jennings County SWCD; Travis Kress and Kathy Holmes, Cullman County SWCD |
Stewardship and Education: Classrooms in the field | Districts are moving educational programs from the classroom to the field to increase their impact; this session includes an overview of Cullman County SWCD’s mobile conservation classroom in Alabama, where they provide hand‐on displays for schools. You’ll also learn how Jennings County SWCD in Indiana implemented pollinator conservation practices by turning to their community stakeholders. |