Recent Articles

April 14, 2025, marked the 90th anniversary of Black Sunday, the most infamous day of the Dust Bowl era and one of the darkest moments in America’s environmental history. On that day in 1935, a massive dust storm swept across the Southern Plains, turning daylight into darkness and leaving behind a wake of devastation. Oklahoma,… Continue reading →

Since its inception in 2017, Urban Greens, a program of Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), has experienced significant growth. However, their mission has remained the same; growing food, growing community, growing with purpose. This mission also remains at the forefront of their work. During the past two growing season Urban Greens partnered with… Continue reading →

By Mary Malone Executive Director, Pend Oreille Conservation District When the ribbon was cut and the gate swung open for its grand opening in July of 2022, the Newport Community Garden in Pend Oreille County in Washington state came to life. Since then, the garden has only continued to grow in partnerships, education, and, of… Continue reading →

Landowners in Minnesota’s Arrowhead region are facing increased fire risks as dense stands of balsam fir, weakened by decades of fire suppression and recent spruce budworm outbreaks continue to die off at an alarming rate. The scale of the problem is unprecedented with approximately 665,000 acres of balsam fir affected in 2023 alone, making it… Continue reading →

Did you know that NACD serves close to 3,000 conservation district members, their boards, and their staff? We have a very robust data management system to serve that many conservation districts and individuals, which is tied to our website. As a result, each conservation district and many individuals have a unique login to perform certain… Continue reading →

For Rachel Post, conservation has always been more than just a career path; it’s a lifelong passion. Originally from Kansas City, Rachel grew up fascinated by National Geographic articles about environmental issues worldwide. However, it was during her time at the University of Wyoming, where she earned a degree in Environment and Natural Resources, that… Continue reading →

The fight against invasive species is a growing challenge for conservation districts nationwide. In McKean County, Pennsylvania, the McKean County Conservation District has taken a proactive stance, implementing an Invasive Species Program in 2018 in partnership with the Penn State Extension and the U.S. Forest Service. This collaboration led to the establishment of the Allegheny… Continue reading →

Luta Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in The Northern Mariana Islands created The Cultivating Roots project with support from a Friends of NACD district grant. This project immersed youth on Rota Island, NMI in a transformative experience that blended environmental education with the rich tapestry of Chamorro culture. The project evolved to align with… Continue reading →

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) recently held a session at its Annual Meeting that focused on the importance of agroforestry practices in conservation and the critical role conservation districts play in supporting landowners. This session, featuring case studies from Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) and Snohomish Conservation District, highlighted the practical applications of… Continue reading →

Just north of Las Vegas, Nevada's Lincoln County is the seventh largest in the country. The county covers 10,637 square miles, 98% of which are public lands. Sparsely populated, producers in Lincoln County focus on the production of Alfalfa hay for dairies in neighboring California and graze livestock on public lands managed by the Bureau… Continue reading →