NACD Stewardship and Education
Where conservation gets creative, learning comes to life, and Stewardship Week shines - with no meetings required! From competitive poster contests, to hands-on fun, we bring the joy of conservation to you!
Soil. Where It All Begins.
Stewardship Week April 26 – May 3, 2026
The 2026 NACD Stewardship Week theme, Soil. Where It All Begins, celebrates the incredible power of soil to support life in all its forms. Soil is not just the ground we walk on. It is the starting point for healthy food, clean water, thriving habitats, and resilient communities. From backyard gardens to forests and city parks, everything begins with what is beneath our feet.
Soil does a lot more than grow plants. It holds water, cycles nutrients, and provides homes for billions of living organisms that help keep nature in balance. It keeps roots in place, helps prevent flooding, and supports wildlife and people alike. The trees in our neighborhoods, the food on our tables, and the natural places we love all depend on healthy soils.
Conservation districts across the country work every day to protect this vital resource. Through education, technical support, and local partnerships, they help landowners and communities keep soil healthy, productive, and resilient. Districts also provide free educational resources to schools, families, and community groups to inspire the next generation of soil stewards and help people of all ages connect with conservation in meaningful ways. Whether it is helping farmers manage erosion or supporting school gardens in town, conservation districts lead the way in caring for the land.
When we take care of soil, we are taking care of everything it supports. That is why soil is where it all begins.
Throughout August 2025, the NACD Stewardship and Education team will begin releasing the 2026 Education Materials. Resources will be made available in phases, starting with contest materials, hands-on project sheets, and student activity and coloring pages. The full Instructor Guide will follow shortly thereafter. Submissions for the 2026 Stewardship and Education theme contests will open on March 1, 2026.
Held annually since 1955 from the last Sunday in April through the first Sunday in May, Stewardship Week unites communities in celebrating and protecting our natural resources. Conservation districts and their partners host workshops, field visits, and community events to promote soil health, water quality, and pollinator habitats.
Students can get involved, too! Through the NACD Poster and Photo Contests, young artists can showcase their creativity while learning about conservation. These contests help inspire future environmental stewards and deepen their connection to nature.
Join us in celebrating the habitats that sustain us all. Whether you attend an event, participate in a contest, or take steps to protect a habitat near you, your actions make a difference.
CLASSROOM PRESENTATION TEMPLATES
You can easily create a customized district presentation using our Canva templates. To get started, choose one of the options below and base your content on your local area and the age level of your audience. Just remember: do not modify or remove the NACD branding logos! Once you’ve customized your presentation, click the “Download” button in the upper right corner, then select “Microsoft PowerPoint” as your file format. This will save your personalized presentation directly to your device.
Classroom Presentation 2026 Soil. Where it all Begins
- Get Started: Click the link above to access the Canva template and choose “use template for new design” or “view design”.” If you don’t have an account, sign up for the free version here, which provides access to many templates and features.
- Personalize: Edit text, upload images, and adjust colors, fonts, and layouts to fit your district’s branding. If you have free Canva you may have watermarks when you download the templates. You can avoid this by replacing them with free photos in elements. Do not modify or remove the NACD logos.
- USE! Use Canva for many district needs: brochures, flyers, posters and more!
- Audience: Tailor the content to suit your local conservation district area and audience age level. Use the “public link” feature to offer view only links. This helps avoid trying to send graphic files that are too large for email.
- Canva Premium: While a basic Canva account is free, consider upgrading to Canva Pro for additional features. You can share a Canva Pro account with up to 5 members.
- Non-Profit/Government Accounts: Currently, conservation districts do not qualify as a non profit, but state associations and foundations often do. If your conservation district is part of a non-profit organization, you may qualify for Canva’s free non-profit program.
We are confident you will really enjoy using Canva to personalize your education program to suit your districts needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance with signing up, or using the design tools available at stewardship[at]nacdnet.org.
What are some suggested ways my conservation district can celebrate Stewardship Week?
Each conservation district has an inspiring story to tell, and we would love to hear yours! Tag us at @NACDconserve on social media and use the hashtag #NACDStewardshipWeek in your posts. Share your plans and successes by emailing us at stewardship[at]nacdnet.org.
- Reach Out: Contact your NACD Stewardship teams to discuss your local needs and how we can help.
- Hello!? Poster Contest!
- Share the Message: Follow NACD on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Like and share Stewardship Week 2025 content, posts, and videos.
- Promote the Poster Contest: Ensure the contest information is listed on your state association’s website. Encourage participation through schools, 4-H clubs, Scouts, and other youth organizations.
- Educational Events: Present the Stewardship theme and habitat-related materials in local schools. Organize a natural resource field day or habitat restoration projects for students.
- Public Service Announcements: Our easy-to-use template help you create PSAs for local radio and television stations to promote Stewardship Week and the importance of protecting habitats.
- Innovative Learning: Use online learning platforms and mobile apps to teach about local habitats. Consider virtual reality for immersive experiences that explore different ecosystems.
- Social Media: Share content on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Encourage students to create and share their habitat conservation efforts using hashtags like #NACDStewardshipWeek #NACDStewardshipWeek25
- Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborate with stores for habitat-themed community projects, like paper grocery bag designs or “Plant-A-Tree” campaigns.
- Webinars & Live Streams: Host webinars or live streams where experts discuss habitat conservation and engage with students. Don’t forget our very own Conservation Coffee! We are always seeking great ideas for the lineup!
The History of NACD Stewardship Week
The journey of Soil Stewardship Week began long before the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) took over the initiative. In the early years following the Dust Bowl, soil conservation efforts were largely promoted by publications like Farm and Ranch Magazine and the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). These early partnerships helped bring attention to the need for soil conservation, leading to a growing recognition of the importance of protecting our land and natural resources.
In 1955, NACD formally took the reins of Soil Stewardship Week—a week originally promoted by media and government agencies. While Farm and Ranch Magazine helped initiate soil conservation awareness, NACD’s leadership and expertise in organizing local districts provided the structure needed to make it a nationwide program. By the time NACD assumed full responsibility, the event began to gain more visibility and momentum, as local conservation districts across the country joined in.
NACD didn’t just maintain the event – it grew it. Through consistent efforts, innovative outreach, and the collaboration of thousands of conservation districts nationwide, Soil Stewardship Week evolved from a regional activity into one of the largest national natural resource awareness programs hosted by a single entity. Today, NACD’s Stewardship Week is celebrated in every corner of the U.S. and its territories, with many of the nation’s 3,000+ conservation districts hosting celebrations. More than 100,000 people are engaged annually in activities ranging from school events and community outreach to field days and workshops.
This rapid growth is a testament to NACD’s commitment to advancing conservation education and mobilizing communities to protect soil, water, and other vital resources. Over the decades, NACD has helped amplify the significance of Soil Stewardship Week, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the nation’s conservation efforts. By empowering local conservation districts and providing essential educational materials, NACD has positioned Stewardship Week as a powerful, far-reaching initiative that continues to inspire conservation action on the ground.
A Look Back in Time: Stewardship Week’s Rich History, Curated by Steven Meeks
We are excited to share a special project that brings us all back to the very beginning of Stewardship Week—a project led by Steven Meeks, the dedicated NACD Presidents Association Board Member and Historian from the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District in Virginia. Steven has poured his time and energy into gathering a rich collection of photos, documents, and historical records that trace the evolution of Stewardship Week from its humble beginnings.
This collection is a true testament to the growth of one of the most impactful conservation programs in the country. As part of his ongoing efforts to preserve the history of NACD’s mission and the Stewardship and Education Program, Steven has meticulously tracked the milestones and achievements of Stewardship Week, highlighting its critical role in educating communities and promoting soil, water, and habitat conservation.
Steven’s work goes beyond just collecting photographs and copies of archived printed materials – he’s also dedicated to ensuring future generations understand the importance of Stewardship Week and the hard work that has gone into shaping its success. His collection not only serves as a valuable historical resource but also as a way for all of us to reflect on the incredible progress made over the years.
We invite you to check back soon to explore photo albums of this growing collection and take a step back in time. We deeply appreciate Steven’s unwavering commitment to preserving our history and his dedication to the NACD’s mission. His efforts ensure that the spirit of Stewardship Week will continue to inspire for years to come.
Click here to visit our Stewardship Week resource page
Link: Stewardship, Education and Marketplace Guide. Take a quick look through the NACD Marketplace Resource Guide to help you better navigate our marketplace site and understand some common issues, as well as our stewardship week district support. While it’s a bit detailed, a quick peruse will give you the tools to make the most of the site! The link is live, nothing to download, and it’s very worth the read!