Did You Know?

Since 2020,  Friends of NACD has delivered over $115,000 to districts across 27 states and 2 U.S. Territories. These grants have funded career development programs for high school students, novel native plant installations, beekeeping education programs, and everything in between! Friends of NACD grant applications will open on October 13, 2026. We invite districts with…… Continue reading →

By Desiree Van Dyke, NACD Southwest Region Representative  The National Conservation Foundations's (NCF) Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) is a year-long program that helps conservation district officials develop and polish their leadership skills. This program was created in 2019 to equip conservation district leaders with the skills they need to rise to leadership positions within…… Continue reading →

By Desiree Van Dyke, NACD Southwest Region Representative  No two days look exactly the same for NACD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeremy Peters.  "A day in the life of Jeremy takes me in any number of directions, but never without a focus on my priorities: my family and my work family and making sure that…… 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 →

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 Jackson Moody, NACD Membership and Development Coordinator  Did you know that NACD has a sister organization that cultivates, educates, and inspires conservation leaders of all ages? The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) was formed to develop our next generation of conservation leaders. Organized in 1952, the NCF supports the advancement of programs and partnerships to deliver conservation solutions through locally led environmental conservation and…… Continue reading →

You may not hear many farmers and producers talking about their mental health, but you should know that, like anyone else, they are at risk of suffering depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.   Farmers today are under an increasing number of stressors: many commodity prices have fallen in recent years, labor and other input costs have…… Continue reading →

Did you know that one of NACD’s core functions is to advocate for policies that support conservation districts and our partners at the national level? NACD maintains a policy book to inform all the legislative work NACD staff and board members carry out. Leadership uses the policy book to develop issue papers; committees and subcommittees…… Continue reading →

Did you know that NACD creates a variety of educational resources available to all districts? Did you know that most of them are completely free to use?   Chances are you’ve encountered some of these resources, as they are one of the most popular services we offer. However, you may not be aware of everything we create for you!  NACD’s education program is…… Continue reading →

Did you know that the future of conservation is being shaped by students? NACD partners with Agriculture Future of America (AFA) every year to bring 50 college students from across the country to the AFA + NACD Sustainability Institute. This three-day experience held February 15-17, 2026 brings the brightest young minds in agriculture and natural resources together for hands-on learning, field…… Continue reading →