Recent Articles

By Annica McGuirk, NACD Forestry Program Manager NACD recently participated in the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities' Markets Matter Convening in Madison, Wisconsin. The meeting brought together leaders from across forestry, conservation, government, industry, and investment sectors to examine a growing challenge facing forests and communities alike: how do we create durable markets and… Continue reading →

From May 5 to 7, 2026, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), in partnership with the USDA National Agroforestry Center and the California Agroforestry Network, hosted the San Diego Agroforestry Workshop for Natural Resources Professionals in Encinitas, California. The training brought together resource conservation district staff, conservation professionals, technical service providers, nonprofit staff, producers,… Continue reading →

It is important to be able to translate the technical assistance work your district carries out into stories that connect with your constituents and beyond. You probably already do this through your website, newsletters, and social media. Below are some tips and resources to help you tell impactful, personal stories that will connect with your… Continue reading →

Western Michigan’s coldwater streams rely on eastern hemlock, a keystone species that cools water, stabilizes banks, and provides vital habitat. That makes the spread of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), a pinhead-sized insect that threatens these trees, especially concerning. Julia Place, Project Manager of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Crew for the Mason-Lake Conservation District, leads a… Continue reading →

Across the country, conservation districts are taking soil education straight to the classroom. From teaching students about soil health to encouraging hands-on learning with soil projects to inspiring creativity through creating posters, district staff, educators, and conservation partners are helping students learn all about “Soil. Where it All Begins.” Missaukee Conservation District In Michigan, the… Continue reading →

By Desiree Van Dyke, NACD Southwest Region Representative Nearly every U.S. state and territory has a conservation district association dedicated to representing districts within its jurisdiction. Many are led by an executive director responsible for guiding the organization’s work. The roles of these directors vary by state, but generally, they support board-led advocacy, seek out grant funding, and build partnerships that strengthen locally-led conservation.   The Association of Conservation Executive Directors (ACED) became an NACD affiliate group in 2023. The… Continue reading →

By Kyle Venell, NACD Pacific Region Representative  Farm Journal Trust In Food, in collaboration with Blue Diamond Growers and Agriland Farming Company, Inc., recently hosted growers, industry leaders, and conservation partners for an in-field event focused on advancing innovation in California almond production. The takeaway was straightforward: growers are already testing and using new technologies. The challenge now is “scaling adoption in ways that… Continue reading →

By Nika Colley, NACD Northeast Region Rep A few years ago, the Saline County Conservation District’s local partner, Saline River Watershed Alliance, installed a piece of equipment called a trash trap in one of the local streams after noticing the need for trash catchment in the watershed. Inspired by the Watershed Alliance and the ever-present… Continue reading →

In southern New Jersey, the DelAtlantic Soil Conservation District (SCD), formerly Cape Atlantic Conservation District, began its forestry work with limited capacity to meet a growing local need. After a Northeast Mid-Atlantic Partnership for Forests and Water meeting, District Manager Michael Kent met Annica McGuirk, then NACD’s Northeast Representative, who encouraged him to utilize NACD's… Continue reading →

By Nika Colley, NACD Northeast Region Representative In conservation, it is often seen that natural resources, and the issues associated with them, do not adhere neatly with human borders. Many conservation districts work across municipal, county, and state boundaries. Some, like the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Maine, lie on national… Continue reading →