NACD's 72nd Annual Meeting Unites Conservation Leaders

More than 1,000 leaders in conservation from across the country gathered in Nashville, Tenn., to celebrate the 2018 NACD Annual Meeting, network and gain insight on the central challenges facing their work in the field.


On Monday, attendees heard from country music star Shea Fisher and her husband, rodeo champion Tyson Durfey (pictured), about the importance of perseverance. The audience also heard remarks from Davidson Soil Conservation District Chair Bob Strasser, Jr. and Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton.

That afternoon, meeting-goers were treated to a performance by Nashville's own Sunshine Girls, a bluesgrass band that sang about soil, conservation, and bugs. Chad Pregracke, founder and president of Living Lands and Waters, provided the keynote address at the Leadership Luncheon and discussed how he led the charge to clean up the Mississippi River in his community. Pregracke epitomized what many of us in the field know to be true; locally-led conservation works, and one person can make a positive impact on our natural resources.


The 72nd Annual Meeting has also spotlighted the future generation of conservationists. Monday's general session featured Middle Tennessee State University sophomore Ashley Brooks singing the national anthem and students from McGavock High School's FFA program to lead the pledge of allegiance. Tuesday's general session featured a state welcome from Tennessee FFA President Julia Knaggs and keynote speaker Dr. Sam Clovis, Jr. emphasized the importance of educating our future generations of conservationists.


NACD Announces Photo, Poster Contest Winners

During Sunday morning's Inspirational Session, NACD Auxiliary President Karen Smart announced the winners of the 2017 NACD and NACD Auxiliary Poster and Photo Contests. To read the full list of winners, click here.

To view the winning posters, click here. To view the winning photos for both youth and adult categories, click here. Both albums are hosted on NACD's Flickr page, where you can download copies of the images for free without a login.


NACD Executive Board Participates in Service Project at Nashville High School


NACD's Executive Board arrived early in Music City to do what conservationists do best: Service. Together, they traveled to McGavock High School, one of the largest schools in Nashville, to help install raised garden beds. The McGavock High School FFA program, sponsored by Westlee Walker, is working to convert a dilapidated courtyard into an urban garden. Executive board members worked side by side with students, who will use donated seed to learn plant science and conservation practices. Read more in this press release.


Footer
This email was sent to amy-work@iaswcd.org. If you are having trouble viewing this email, you may also view it online. To opt out of all communications, click here.
Forward email. .
Email Marketing By