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October 18, 2011
Online Registration Open for NACD’s 2012 Annual Meeting
As a new feature for our members, NACD will be offering online registration
for the 2012 Annual Meeting!
Starting October 20, visit the Annual Meeting registration page and follow the links to our online registration system. This new service is
available for credit card purchases only. If you have questions about the
registration process, please contact Jamii Roberson at Jamii-roberson@nacdnet.org.
Based on the theme, "Conservation: We're All In!" the event will highlight a
variety of partners in conservation and projects on the ground, demonstrating
that we can do more for conservation when we all work together. The conference
will offer a wide range of informative sessions and networking opportunities,
in addition to a Conservation Expo showcasing the latest products and
technologies in conservation from partners across the country.
Annual Meeting sponsors include: John Deere,the U.S. Department of Defense,
Agri Drain Corporation, DuPont Land Management, Pioneer, and Scotts Miracle-Gro.
Ag Committees Send Letter to Super Committee, Senate Interior Appropriations
This week, the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees sent a letter
to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction recommending a $23 billion
reduction to farm bill spending over 10 years. Though the letter made reference
to cuts previously incurred by farm bill programs, there was no mention of where
the new spending cuts would be made. The committee is expected to put forth
a complete legislative package by November 1.
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee also released their 2012 Interior
Appropriations bill. Senate appropriators insisted that this bill act as a basis for
negations with the House. The bill allocates $10.2 billion for the U.S. Department
of the Interior, down $287 million from fiscal year 2011, and $8.62 billion for the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), down $61 million.
The Senate bill does not include EPA riders, as the House bill (H.R. 2584) did.
Though the bill has been released, it is not expected to receive a vote on the
Senate floor. It is suspected that Democrats are trying to avoid giving Republicans
an opportunity to attach language to the bill limiting EPA’s authorities under the
Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.
NACD Facebook Photo Contest: Districts Responding to Severe Weather
Do you have a great photo of your district responding to severe weather?
You could be featured in the winter edition of The Resource!
This fall, NACD will host a photo contest on our Facebook page.
We’re seeking photos of districts working on conservation practices that
prevent and/or respond to severe weather events, such as drought, wildfires
or flooding. For inspiration and examples, see the Fall 2010 feature story,
“When a Disaster Strikes, Districts Step Up."
Submit all entries to intern@nacdnet.org by December 2. Districts may submit
up to three original photos each. Please include a short caption, your district
name, and your contact info along with each photo. Results will be tallied via
a Facebook poll in December. Stay tuned for details on when and how to vote.
Winning photo(s) will appear in the Winter 2011 issue of The Resource, and
runners-up will be featured in a slide show at NACD’s 2012 Annual Meeting in
Las Vegas.
NACD Now Accepting Applications for Winter Internship
NACD is looking for an intern to work a 15-week winter internship from
January-April 2012 at NACD’s main office in Washington, D.C. The intern will
work with the Legislative Affairs and Communications staff to advance the
association’s legislative agenda. He/she will learn the legislative process and
gain valuable hands-on experience.
The intern will gain a working knowledge of Congress, federal natural resource
and environmental agencies, and an understanding of the roles conservation
districts and state conservation agencies play in the development of natural
resource, agricultural and environmental policies. The selected intern will
also be assisting and attending NACD’s 2012 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas!
NACD interns are typically college juniors or seniors who are interested in the
environment and/or agriculture. Interns are expected to work full time, but special
arrangements may be made if classes need to be taken locally to receive college
credit. A performance-based stipend is awarded at the conclusion of the internship.
The intern is expected to find their own housing, but staff can provide assistance
and advice with the process.
To download the intern application, click here.
Applications, resumes and cover letters are due by Friday, November4. Please
send all application materials to Danielle Dills at Danielle-dills@nacdnet.org.
USDA Report Shows Conservation Making a Difference in the Great Lakes
NRCS Chief Dave White recently announced the release of The Great Lakes
Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) Report on the effects of
conservation practices on cropland in the Great Lakes Region. The new USDA
study shows that farmers using combinations of erosion control, and nutrient
management practices on cropland are reducing losses of sediment, nitrogen,
and phosphorous from fields. These conservation practices are also decreasing
the movement of these materials to the Great Lakes and their associated
waterways.
The Great Lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, holding 95
percent of the United States’ surface fresh water. The study covers nearly
174,000 square miles – the entire U.S. side of the Great Lakes Region – including
nearly all of Michigan and parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
To view the full report, click here.
Call for District Stories!
NACD is seeking conservation district stories for the winter edition of our
quarterly magazine, The Resource.
The magazine’s feature story will focus on strengthening districts through
diversity. Specifically, NACD is looking for examples of district activity that
highlights ways of diversifying programs, partners, board members/leadership
and/or funding. If your districts are involved in unique activities that promote
diversity in any or all of these categories, we want to hear from you!
Please send a short overview (including description of the activity, name of
district and contact person) to Danielle Dills at Danielle-dills@nacdnet.org by
Friday, October 21
Enjoy reading eNotes? Sign up your board today at http://nacdnet.org/news/publications/enotes/ or forward this link to a friend and encourage them to sign up too. Take advantage of helpful conservation news and resources arriving in your inbox every Tuesday at no charge.
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