2024 Annual Meeting Tours and Events
Join us for these great opportunities to experience San Diego and see conservation up close during NACD’s 2024 Annual Meeting! Events and tours require a separate ticket purchase and are not included in the cost of registration.
Host State Event: USS Midway Museum Welcome Reception
Saturday, February 10, 2024
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Join the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) and NACD for an evening on the USS Midway, sponsored by Warner Ranch.
The USS Midway was the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the 20th century. It is now a museum with an extensive collection of aircraft built in Southern California. Explore the ship and its flight deck, center island, and hangar bays. Enjoy a dinner buffet while networking with colleagues. A cash bar will be available. Free shuttle buses will leave from the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina from 5:00-6:00 p.m. and return beginning at 8:30 p.m. The ride from the hotel to the USS Midway is about 12 minutes. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to pass through a metal detector to board the USS Midway.
Cost is $150 per person.
Host State Tour: Sustainable Agriculture – Compost, Pollinators, and Wine
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
12:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The tour will begin at San Pasqual Valley Soils, a compost facility located within San Diego County’s only agricultural preserve. Participants will tour the site and learn about their system for creating compost, as well as the waste they take from the San Diego Safari Park and the local utility’s tree trimming service, which helps to divert waste from landfill. Participants will also hear how SPVS works with the local farming community, about the benefits of agricultural preserves, and the ways they collaborate with the RCD of Greater San Diego County.
Next, the tour will visit Domaine Artefact, a vineyard and winery in the San Pasqual Valley, that is committed to sustainable land management practices. Participants will learn about their growing methods, as well as their efforts to maintain a zero-carbon footprint. The Estate is also committed to conservation of natural resources and is working with the RCD of Greater San Diego County to develop a carbon farm plan and to enhance pollinator habitat. At the end of the tour, participants will have the option to taste some of the Estate’s wine.
This tour can accommodate 50 people. Cost is $75 per person.
San Pasqual Valley Soils is approximately 45 minutes from the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.
Tour will include moderate walking over paved and unpaved surfaces.
Host State Tour: Urban Agriculture in North San Diego County
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
12:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
San Diego County is home to more small farms than any other county in the nation. Many small farms are located in urban areas, increasing access to healthy foods and educational opportunities for local residents.
The tour will begin at the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. This site is renowned for its ornamental flower fields and is visited by thousands each spring. They are also an agricultural producer and educational site. Participants will learn more about the agricultural activities at the Flower Fields, including olive trees, blueberry production, and a new urban ag demonstration plot.
The tour will also visit Coastal Roots Farm, a non-profit Jewish farm in the coastal community of Encinitas. Coastal Roots practices sustainable farming and focuses on sharing their harvest with those who lack access, delivering unique farm-based education, and fostering inclusive spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together. Participants will take a tour of the farm and learn more about the farm’s mission.
This tour can accommodate 50 people. Cost is $75 per person.
Flower Fields: 5704 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad CA 92008 (if using Google Maps, enter ‘the Flower Fields’ rather than the address)
Coastal Roots Farm: 441 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
*The location of this tour has changed recently due to flooding in the area.*
Host State Tour: Collaboration for Forest Health
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
12:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For this tour, participants will travel to the mountain community of Julian to visit Camp Winacka, a camp run by Girl Scouts of San Diego County. The site recently had a forest management plan developed and has just submitted environmental compliance documents through the California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) to implement the treatments outlined in this plan. The RCD of Greater San Diego County is partnering with Girl Scouts and others in a capacity building effort funded through the CA Department of Conservation’s Regional Forest and Fire Prevention Capacity Program (RFFC). Participants will learn about regional partnerships working towards wildfire resilience, the RFFC program, and other forest health conservation efforts. Participants will also go on a walking tour of the sites where the forest management plan is being implemented.
This tour can accommodate 50 people. Cost is $75 per person.
Girl Scouts Camp Winacka is approximately 1 hr 30 minutes from the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.
Tour will include moderate walking over paved and unpaved surfaces.