This blog post is part of a six-part series highlighting technical assistance (TA) grant recipient participation at NACD’s 77th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. This post’s author, Michaela Slagle-Saylor of Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District in TN, attended the meeting with a TA stipend.

Washington County, Tennessee had an incredible opportunity for the Washington County Soil & Water Conservation Districts Office Manager, Michaela Slagle Saylor, to attend the National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. Michaela was the Southeast Conservation District Association Winner of the Stipend for this trip and she created a poster showing various types of conservation practices that are put into place and that take place in East Tennessee. Her poster was on display at the NACD Annual Meeting. Below is an account of what Michaela was able to experience.

The annual meeting was truly incredible. While in New Orleans, I was able to meet and network with so many amazing people who are doing fantastic work around the country for conservation. The stipend allowed me to interact with people throughout the United States who are doing different things to preserve our natural resources. I was able to learn from others about what they are doing for outreach and how they coordinate the efforts of the partners in their areas. I have made friendships and connections that will last a lifetime!

During some of my free time from the conference, I was able to take a Swamp tour, and in that tour was able to see different parts of the conservation that we don’t have in the Eastern Tennessee Area. I was able to see streambank stabilization that had taken place in the marshes and the replanting of a Cyprus Riparian Buffer. I was able to see some of the native wildlife in the area and what is done in the marshes to preserve some of the topsoil and how they keep the area from eroding.

The meetings and conferences included tons of educational material. The speakers covered a wide range of topics and the event allowed for time to meet people doing various conservation activities. I am so thankful for this stipend and the opportunity to meet, network and learn from all these amazing people who are doing great things to protect our natural resources! The meetings provided a snapshot of what funding is coming down the pipeline and provided the opportunity for us to get an idea of what will need to begin to take place to use that funding to its fullest capacity. The breakout sessions provided an opportunity to further explore ideas and topics in a smaller scale atmosphere. I am truly thankful for this opportunity!