Keeping Working Lands Working with Conservation Easements 01/16/2026
By Candice Abinanti, NACD Director of Communications in collaboration with the NACD Natural Resources Committee Land conversion and the loss of working lands to residential subdivisions, solar arrays, data centers, and other development are concerns NACD hears from conservation districts across the country. The American Farmland Trust’s report, Farms Under Threat 2040: Choosing an Abundant Future, states that “From 2001–2016, our nation lost or compromised 2,000 acres of farmland and ranchland…… Continue reading →
Regenerative Agriculture in Action: Dan and Tami Sanders’ Journey on the Yellowstone 01/13/2026
By Nicole Poitra, NACD Northern Plains Region Representative At the foot of Montana’s Crazy Mountains in Big Timber, Dan and Tami Sanders are transforming their leased 500-acre ranch along the Yellowstone River into a working model of regenerative agriculture. Guided by the wisdom of local ranchers and supported by modern soil-health practices, they’re blending tradition…… Continue reading →
Conservation District Paves the Way in the Charge Against Invasive Species 03/17/2025
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 →
Protecting Local Ecosystems: The West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District’s Invasive Species Program 01/21/2025
[caption id="attachment_59596" align="alignleft" width="411"] WMSWCD staff and Ash Creek contractor, Aissa, are out in the field April 2024 for the start of our spring garlic mustard field season.[/caption] In the lush landscapes of Oregon, the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) serves as a critical guardian of natural resources. Among its many initiatives,…… 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 →
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 →
Tualatin SWCD Leads Climate Resilience Outreach with Support from Local Partners 09/26/2024
Like many areas across the West, forests in the Tualatin River Basin of northwest Oregon face two emerging climate resilience concerns: hotter, drier summers and increasing wildfire risk. Heat-related tree stress and mortality are becoming more common across the landscape, and fire season is beginning earlier and ending later in the year, with more frequent…… Continue reading →