NACD Kicks Off 72nd Annual Meeting in Music City 01/29/2018
CONTACT: Stephanie Addison
(202) 547-6223; stephanie-addison[at]nacdnet.org
CONTACT: Sara Kangas
(202) 547-6223; sara-kangas[at]nacdnet.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2018
NACD KICKS OFF 72ND ANNUAL MEETING IN MUSIC CITY
NASHVILLE, TN. — Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) kicked off its 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
NACD’s Annual Meeting brings together conservation leaders from across the nation for educational sessions, workshops and networking. This year’s meeting focused on the theme “Conservation Takes Center Stage in Music City” and marked the 72nd time NACD has gathered.
Monday’s Opening General Session featured a Tennessee welcome address from Davidson County Soil Conservation District Board Member Bob Strasser, Jr. and Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton as well as an inspirational keynote address by country singer Shea Fisher and her husband, rodeo champion Tyson Durfey.
“We were so excited to come to Nashville to join everyone at NACD’s Annual Meeting,” said Shea Fisher. “I truly believe conserving the land is so important to America’s future, and it was an honor to be here this week to share our story.”
“As a rancher and rodeo athlete, I learned the value of taking care of our land to feed our family as well as the nation,” said Tyson Durfey. “Farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists of this great country, and if we prioritize taking proper care of the land, it will continue to be the backbone of the American economy.”
Later that afternoon, CNN’s 2013 Hero of the Year and the founder and president of Living Lands and Waters Chad Pregracke provided the keynote address at the Leadership Luncheon.
“Growing up on the Mississippi River and playing in its backwaters is where my passion for conservation began,” said Chad Pregracke. “I experienced firsthand how poorly our greatest river was being treated, and the effects the pollution was having on the environment. That’s why I dedicated my life to cleaning up the Mississippi River. It’s my mission to help others understand how important it is to preserve our natural resources for generations to come.”
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About the National Association of Conservation Districts:
The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations, and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org.