NACD Government Affairs Update

As we enter the final month of 2017, there are several issues on NACD’s radar that we want you to be aware of. You can read NACD Director of Government Affairs Coleman Garrison’s blog post – which includes the following topics – by clicking here.

• By Friday, December 8, Congress is expected to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for two weeks through December 22 and prevent a government shutdown.

• Last week, several members of NACD’s officer team and Executive Board gathered in Washington, D.C., to meet with Congressional Appropriators. NACD leadership relayed to Congress how the almost year-long hiring freeze at USDA has kept NRCS from filling the multitude of field-level staff openings in county offices. Although NRCS has had trouble filling openings for several years, this year’s hiring freeze has exacerbated the problem, and NACD is hopeful that the long-term funding bill can address it.

• During these visits, NACD’s leadership also relayed to Congress where NACD stands on USDA’s current reorganization. NACD communicated to Secretary Perdue and Capitol Hill that we will closely monitor this process to ensure NRCS and the conservation partnership will be able to continue effectively delivering conservation.

Pictured here are Conservation Partnership Presidents at the office of the Agriculture Secretary. From left to right: Tim Riley (NCDEA), Brent Van Dyke (NACD), Marc Cribb (NASCA) and William Hodge (NARC&DC).

NACD Debuts Interactive District Directory

NACD’s Conservation District Directory is more user-friendly than ever, thanks to our new, interactive district maps! Available on each state’s page, the maps allow farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners across the country the ability to locate the nearest conservation district in their state.

Once you’ve located your district, simply click on the pin to display the district contact information, including their website! Is your district’s information incorrect, incomplete, or missing? Please contact Communications and Operations Coordinator Sara Kangas.

Time is running out! Annual Meeting deadlines approach

NACD’s 72nd Annual Meeting in Nashville is less than two months away, but you only have 10 days left to take advantage of registering for the meeting at the Early Bird rate! Click here to register online – if you do, you’ll save $15.

Hotel deadlines are also approaching! You only have until January 5 to secure your room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Rooms are selling out quickly, and the hotel will likely be completely full January 27 – 31, so don’t delay! Reserve your room by clicking here or by calling 1-888-777-6779 and identifying yourself as part of the NACD block.

If you haven’t been able to donate an item for the auction, become a sponsor, or secure a booth in the Conservation Expo yet, you’re in luck! The deadline for these commitments has been extended to December 15. Please contact NACD Director of Development Melisa Augusto with any questions or ideas – creativity is encouraged!

The Resource is in your inbox!

The fall edition of The Resource is full of news that affects your conservation district:

Learn more about NACD’s cooperative agreement with NRCS to award $9 million directly to districts for technical capacity building, the renewal of Conservation Planning Boot Camp for 2018, and recent developments regarding USDA and the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP).

This edition also includes an overview of NACD’s Tribal Outreach and Partnership Resource Policy Group’s latest face-to-face meeting in Tucson, spotlights on district work in Idaho and North Dakota, and an in-depth preview of the 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville.

You can read the latest edition here or browse past editions here. Didn't receive this edition of The Resource? Click here to update your subscription preferences.

NACD attends North American Forest Partnership meeting

NACD Forestry Specialist Mike Beacom attended the North American Forest Partnership (NAFP) meeting in late November. The two-day event, “From Communication to Engagement,” brought diverse stakeholders to Portland to discuss how the forestry industry can work together to share a common message.

Meeting topics covered effective storytelling, gauging social media return on investment, and collaborative forest management and wildlife messaging.

The opening panel explored other well-known communication movements and the commitment required to shape a national campaign. Cathy Enright, former executive director of the Council for Biotechnology Information, suggested such a campaign is never finished, but instead a never-ending journey to promote one’s mission.

Caleb Gardner, who coordinated social media for President Barack Obama, stressed the need for groups to make intimate connections with their intended social audiences. “Content starts (and ends) with relationships,” he said.

The meeting attracted representatives from close to 150 forestry organizations, including federal agencies, large and small wood and paper manufacturers, forestland consultants, and conservation groups.

Limited time offer: Become a Friend of NACD today!

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year, celebrate the season with NACD by becoming a Friend of NACD, and you’ll receive a gift!

Become a Friend of NACD this holiday season and you’ll receive a limited-edition Christmas ornament; gift someone a Friend of NACD honorarium or memorial membership, and they’ll be able to claim an ornament for themselves. But you better act quick – this offer is only available until December 25 while supplies last!