Did you know that every NACD region is staffed by an NACD Region Representative who can connect you to NACD resources, help provide learning and networking opportunities, and ensure your state or territory’s priorities are heard and represented in NACD’s advocacy efforts?

While all of NACD’s staff members are available to answer questions at any time, our seven NACD Region Representatives are a great first contact point in our organization. Each Region Representative is familiar with the specific conservation concerns in their region, are aware of resources that you may benefit from (for example, NACD grant programs), can connect you with NACD Officers, Board Members, or committees, and are generally available to help you navigate through NACD’s various education, partnership, and advocacy efforts.

The region staff work from offices within their regions and often attend meetings within their states and territories. If you have not yet met them in person, you can reach out to learn more about specific opportunities to connect with them and others in the NACD network. For example, many of the Region Representatives work with their Region Chairs to host monthly or bi-monthly virtual meetings, many regions also host separate in-person region meetings throughout the year, and all Region Representatives send out regular updates that provide targeted information relevant to their states. All of these learning and networking opportunities are available to our members, regardless of whether a district is a dues-contributing member.

You can find out information about each of your Region Representatives, the states and territories they cover, and how to reach them, below:

North Central

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin

Beth Mason (based in Indiana) serves as NACD’s North Central Region Representative and, as a long-time staffer, is well prepared to answer your questions and support the work of the eight midwestern states in her region. The region comes together each January for a North Central Partners meeting but is well-connected throughout the year thanks to Beth’s background in communications and her interest in connecting districts with each other and important partners in conservation. She also provides many region-specific resources, like the NACD North Central Region Survey Report, which details many of the unique characteristics related to district operations in each state. You can learn more about specific NACD contributions to the region in NACD North Central Region: By the Numbers, including the number of grantees for many of our programs, and find out more about the region and connect with Beth via the North Central Region page.

Northeast

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, District of Columbia

Nika Colley (of Pennsylvania) represents the Northeast Region, which includes twelve states and the District of Columbia. Over the past several years, the region has prioritized collaborative capacity building for districts to celebrate the diversity of the region and further contribute to the success of the districts. As an avid lover of our native pollinators, Nika is well-versed in supporting biodiversity of all kinds, including that of the varied projects and programs that the Northeast districts are involved in. Find additional information about the Northeast’s states in NACD Northeast Region: By the Numbers, and connect with Nika and the Northeast Region on the Northeast Region page.

Northern Plains

Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

Nicole Poitra covers five states as the Northern Plains Region Representative and is excited about bringing this large area together to share ideas, resources, and success stories for each of the districts in the Northern Plains. As a resident of North Dakota, she understands the need for the districts she represents to use their time wisely for conservation projects over the summer (due to the long winters in her state and region), and also values spending time outside with her family when the weather is nice. Learn more about the NACD programs Northern Plains Districts have benefitted from in NACD Northern Plains Region: By the Numbers, and find Nicole’s contact information on the Northern Plains Region page.

Pacific

Alaska, American Samoa, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Palau, Washington

Kyle Venell recently joined NACD as the Pacific Region Representative to cover a vast region of four mainland states, two geographically isolated states (Alaska and Hawaii), three island territories, and two nations in the Compact of Free Association with the US (FSM and Palau). While the region covers a vast area geographically, you’ll quickly find that Kyle’s enthusiasm for his work is equally as large, and he’s excited to connect with board members, staff, and partners as he continues to learn about the work of conservation districts across the Pacific. Many districts in the region have greatly benefitted from NACD’s grant programs, which you can learn more about in NACD Pacific Region: By the Numbers, and Kyle will look forward to hearing from you (check the Pacific Region page for his contact details).

South Central

Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

Wesley Gibson represents four states in the South Central Region, including his home state of Texas, which has the highest number of conservation districts nationwide, two hundred and sixteen. Like other NACD Region Representatives, Wesley enjoys connecting districts across his region to NACD resources, but also works closely with NACD’s Invasive Species Subcommittee to spread information about the work of districts on various pests, and also provides resources on current or emerging issues, like the New World screwworm. To find out more about Wesley’s work specific to the region, review NACD South Central Region: By the Numbers, and connect with Wesley via the South Central Region Page.

Southeast

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

As an agricultural producer in Alabama and a former SWCD Board Member, Marquita Hall is well prepared to serve as the Southeast Region Representative, covering nine states and two territories. As a lifelong learner, Marquita enjoys hearing the perspectives of individuals from across the US, and as a dedicated service member and a veteran of the US Army, Marquita enjoys applying her background and experience in support of conservation districts. Her region covers more NACD members than any other (six hundred and seventy), but she would still love to connect with you; learn more in the NACD Southeast Region: By the Numbers, and find Marquita’s contact information on the Southeast Region Page.

Southwest

Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming

One cannot live in the Southwest without enjoying the ample landscapes of this region, and while Rachel Theler proudly works as NACD’s Southwest Region Representative, she spends her free time enjoying the great outdoors in Colorado. Rachel is excellent at networking and bringing individuals together to tell their stories of conservation, and has led several efforts to support the communication efforts of districts in the region, including regular District Sharing Sessions and an Outreach Training Series. Learn more about the ways districts in NACD’s Southwest Region have leveraged our programs in NACD Southwest Region: By the Numbers, and connect with Rachel via the Southwest Region Page.

If you are hosting an upcoming meeting and would like to request the presence of one of the Region Representatives (or anyone else on NACD’s staff, officer, or leadership teams), you can fill out this Speaker Request Form. Feel free to reach out to NACD’s Membership Team (membership[at]nacdnet.org), as well, if you have any questions about our services or membership benefits, or if you would like to check on the status of your dues contributions. The work of the Region Representatives is one of our core membership services, and we thank you for your continued support, which allows us to continue providing their time in return!