Tonto NRCD: Driving Restoration and Conservation Through Good Neighbor Authority 12/03/2024
Located in Arizona's scenic Gila County, the Tonto Natural Resource Conservation District (NRCD) plays a key role in conserving the Tonto National Forest, which spans nearly 2.9 million acres and serves as a vital ecological and economic resource. With most of the land in the district under federal ownership, Tonto NRCD focuses on sustainable management… Continue reading →
Mecklenburg SWCD’s Pupil to Practitioner Program – A Grassroots Pathway to Conservation Leadership 11/19/2024
By Barbara Bleiweis, Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District The Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is sparking a new wave of conservation education in North Carolina’s Charlotte-Mecklenburg region through Pupil to Practitioner, a hands-on pilot program designed to inspire and equip underserved students with the tools to become tomorrow’s environmental leaders. With support… Continue reading →
Fourth Graders Paddle Down the Kankakee River and Gain a Boatload of Knowledge 11/12/2024
Photos and writing by Linda Schwab, LaPorte County Soil & Water Conservation District Recently, on the banks of the Kankakee River, busloads of local 4th graders came together to learn about the beauty and history of the river and the importance of watershed stewardship. Their final test and reward? Paddling on the Kankakee in 24-foot… Continue reading →
Understanding the Impact of Emergency Forest Restoration Teams in California 10/31/2024
In June 2024, a comprehensive report was released detailing the successes and challenges of the Emergency Forest Restoration Teams (EFRTs) developed in late 2021. These pilot teams emerged as a vital response to the increasing severity of wildfires impacting California's forests, specifically in the aftermath of the Dixie, Caldor, and Tamarack Fires. The formation of… Continue reading →
Pulaski Conservation District and Partners Advancing Food Security and Community Engagement through Urban Agriculture 10/29/2024
The Pulaski Conservation District in Arkansas, in collaboration with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), is leading a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tackling food insecurity in urban areas through community-driven urban agriculture. This program focuses on building partnerships, educating the community, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to create lasting food security, particularly in… Continue reading →
Bill Simshauser Honored for Invasive Species Advocacy at the 2024 NAISMA Conference 10/28/2024
The 32nd Annual North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Conference, held in Missoula, Montana, from September 30 to October 3, 2024, brought together over 350 professionals from across North America to address the growing challenges posed by invasive species. Attendees included experts from government agencies, non-profits, academic institutions, and private organizations, all committed to… Continue reading →
Empowering the First Cohort of the Working Lands Climate Corps 10/22/2024
The inaugural cohort of the Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) gathered virtually on October 8, 2024, to receive guidance and encouragement as they prepare to embark on their journey into environmental service. The WLCC is an initiative that aims to engage 126 young leaders in states across the country, working with 28 different public and… Continue reading →
USDA Update on Hurricane Helene Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts 10/22/2024
Earlier this month, the USDA Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) brought together key figures from various agencies, including the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA), to discuss available resources and strategies for assisting affected by Hurricane Helene. NRCS emphasized the role of Conservation Technical Assistance programs, such as… Continue reading →
Reducing Stigma and Sharing Resources this World Mental Health Day 10/10/2024
On this World Mental Health Day, October 10, NACD would like to thank our members for the work they do on behalf of conservation districts and their clients. Increasingly, farmers, ranchers, natural resource managers, wildland firefighters, and many others are facing unpredictable weather events, new political and operating environments, expanded ranges of invasive and… Continue reading →
Duplin County SWCD Builds Local Conservation Team with TA Grants 10/08/2024
In the fall of 2016, Hurricane Matthew hit eastern North Carolina, causing widespread flooding and record-breaking storm surge. More hurricanes followed in 2017 and 2018, each impacting eastern North Carolina and its agricultural producers with high winds, storm surges, and flooding that damaged crops and livestock operations and washed out roads. In response, the Duplin… Continue reading →