Awards

NACD's mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.

NACD’s annual Awards Program recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. The deadline has passed for 2007 Award nominations. Award winners will be recognized at a ceremony at NACD's 2008 Annual Meeting in Reno, NV. Winners will be notified by January 1, 2008. Please contact Beth Mason with any questions at (317) 782-0600. Keep an eye out next spring for the 2008 Award opportunities. Winners will be determined in each of the following categories:

Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award
In tribute to former NACD President Olin Sims, the Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award promotes and recognizes outstanding conservation leadership at the State and local level. Jointly established by NACD and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the award will be given to one up-and-coming leader who demonstrates excellence in promoting and leading voluntary conservation on private lands.

NACD Friend of Conservation Award
The Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, agency, etc. outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation's natural resources.

NACD Distinguished Service Award
The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association who has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources.

NACD President’s Award
Chosen by the NACD President, this award recognizes an individual or organization that has been especially helpful or active with regard to conservation during the President's term.

Excellence in Communications Awards
The Excellence in Communications Awards recognize conservation districts for their outstanding overall communications efforts. The communication awards are sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

District Excellence Awards
The District Excellence Awards recognize conservation districts that successfully achieve Program and Policy goals while incorporating effective initiatives to address Outreach and Diversity. The specific program/policy areas are Agricultural Lands Resources, District Operations, Wildlife and Environment; Forest Resources; Grazing Lands and Public Lands Resources; Urban, Community, and Coastal Resources; Water Resources and Stewardship and Education.

Collaborative Conservation Award
The Collaborative Conservation Award recognizes conservation districts that exemplify innovative, collaborative conservation efforts by drawing upon various partnerships (traditional and non-traditional), utilizing diverse funding sources, and/or conducting a wide range of projects to address their community’s conservation resource needs. Priority consideration will be given to districts that demonstrate effective development and expansion of non-traditional partnerships to include local and regional Community-Based Organizations representing the diversity of the service area.