THE RESOURCE IS IN YOUR INBOX… AND ON ITS WAY TO YOUR MAILBOX!

In 2016, your national association worked hard to reform and strengthen forestry and wildfire policy; to recognize and empower soil health leaders across the country; to ensure adequate federal funding for voluntary, incentive-based conservation; and to provide you a nationwide network full of resources and opportunities.

The winter edition of NACD’s quarterly publication The Resource, as well as the 2016 Annual Report, can be downloaded by clicking here.

Every local conservation district and state association will receive two hard copies of the 2016 Annual Report/winter Resource soon. To read past editions of The Resource, visit our website: http://www.nacdnet.org/news-and-events/publications/the-resource/.


NACD FLY-IN IS ONE WEEK AWAY, POLICY ISSUE PAPERS NOW AVAILABLE

In advance of next week's annual Spring Legislative Fly-In, NACD has published the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) issue papers participants will use during their Capitol Hill visits. You can read them here on our website along with an updated agenda for fly-in activities.

As the agriculture and conservation community brace for significant budget cuts in the President's FY18 budget due out any day, and with reauthorization of the next farm bill underway, now is a critical time for conservation districts to make our voice heard in Washington, D.C.

All the issue papers and any other critical fly-in materials will be printed for attendees and handed out in folders on Tuesday, March 21 at the legislative breakfast. As you prepare for your meetings with lawmakers, please email Director of Government Affairs Coleman Garrison your meeting schedule so we have an accurate count of how many folders we’ll need.


NACD PUBLISHES WHITE PAPER ON WILDFIRE

The frequency and intensity of wildfires has increased across the United States almost like clockwork. In their wake, these fires leave deteriorated soils, increased flooding risk, unproductive forests, and communities forced to rebuild.

NACD published a white paper last week chronicling the voices of district officials and partners who recently participated in five, NACD-hosted listening sessions on wildfire. Click here to read the white paper, “Forest Health and Wildfires: The Role of Conservation Districts.”


SENATE VOTES TO SEND BLM BACK TO DRAWING BOARD

Last Tuesday, the Senate passed House Joint Resolution 44 – legislation disapproving of the Bureau of Land Management’s “Planning 2.0” rule.

“The House and Senate have now reaffirmed the importance of protecting local governments’ voice in the planning process,” NACD President Brent Van Dyke said in an NACD release. “NACD is very pleased that both chambers agree the BLM should go back to the drawing board to craft a more inclusive planning policy.”

Now that the joint resolution has passed the House and Senate, NACD expects it will be signed into law by President Donald Trump. To read more about NACD’s concerns with Planning 2.0, head to our Newsroom for press releases, letters, and comments.


NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Initiative: Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District, NM

The Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is partnering with the Valencia County Community Development, residents of Meadow Lake and El Cerro Mission, Valencia 4-H (New Mexico State University Extension), and Valencia County Magistrate Court to implement the East Valencia Urban Gardens Program (EVUGP).

The program’s goal is to improve public health outcomes in the county while conserving local landscapes and building local food systems. Its target communities are located south of Albuquerque and classified as food deserts. While a few families in the county raise small livestock, very little fresh produce is grown locally, and many residents don’t have access to grocery stores.

To address local food access in these communities and to build a model for community centered agriculture, the partners began constructing two community gardens this spring in the communities of El Cerro Mission and Meadow Lake. These gardens will provide residents of all ages the space to grow their own healthy foods and exchange gardening and conservation strategies with their neighbors.

Additionally, the EVUGP is offering residents who produce food on private or public “farmlettes” free workshops in English and Spanish, as well as one-on-one technical assistance. Through the district’s Financial Assistance Program, Valencia SWCD helps residents install rainwater harvesting systems for their gardens, complete soil testing, create pollinator gardens, and much more.

For more information about this NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative-funded project, visit the Valencia SWCD’s website: https://www.valenciaswcd.org/.


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