The Resource is in your inbox!

Make sure to check your inbox for the 2016 Summer Resource. In this edition, you’ll find columns written by NACD’s CEO and president, and even an essay on voluntary conservation by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Are you interested in learning more about what NACD does for you on Capitol Hill? You can read all about NACD testifying before Congress, submitting comments on federal policy and legislation, and holding congressional briefings if you’ve subscribed.

Or maybe you’d like to hear about all the wonderful conservation work our district members are doing on the ground in their communities. Open up The Resource attachment in your email to start learning how your fellow districts have teamed up to restore water quality, promote the adoption of soil health practices, and revolutionize conservation planning today!

CARCD to host Southwest-Pacific Region Meeting

The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts is hosting what will sure to be an exciting joint region meeting in Sacramento, California, from Sept. 13-16.

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the head of California’s Food and Agriculture Department, Karen Ross, will give the keynote address and panels on short- and long-term solutions for forestry and fire challenges will follow, featuring a diverse group including conservation districts and state associations. The afternoon session will focus on the future of conservation districts: how they can build and maintain a sustainable membership base through strategic operations.

The tour on Thursday, Sept. 15, will give participants an inside look at California’s complex agricultural industry from forests, farmland, rangeland, orchards, to vineyards. The Placer Resource Conservation District will host a Farm-to-Fork lunch and wine tasting following the conclusion of the tour. There will also be dinner and an auction held Thursday evening. Glenn Franklin, president of CARCD, would like to remind districts and state associations from both regions in attendance to bring an auction item that represents their respective state. Sept. 16 will be reserved for business meetings.

For more information about hotel accommodations and the meeting’s agenda, see CARCD’s website at www.carcd.org, or NACD’s website.

Forestry RPG takes Arkansas Sen. Boozman on tour

NACD Forestry Resource Policy Group (RPG) representative John McAlpine helped guide a forestry tour for John Boozman, a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, last week.

One of several stops on an ag tour for the life-time Arkansas resident, McAlpine’s Friday session with the senator showcased how one landowner uses EQIP and CSP to make improvements in his operation. A question-and-answer session in Monticello, Arkansas, also highlighted several key forestry topics in the state, including estate taxes, capital gains taxes, permitting processes, the next farm bill, and forest health.

McAlpine serves as the South Central Region representative on the Forestry RPG and is one of three NACD representatives on the Joint Forestry Team. In the photo above, McAlpine is on the left pointing to a site map; Sen. Boozman is in the rust-colored shirt to the right of McAlpine.

Reminder: Check out SWC’s new Learning Exchange!

In celebration of the 26-member organization’s 10-year anniversary, the Source Water Collaborative (SWC) is launching a Learning Exchange – an information sharing platform for people and organizations working to protect drinking water sources. NACD has been a member of the group since it was created in 2006.

Through December 2016, the Learning Exchange will offer organized events, communications, and resources specific to a monthly theme. August’s focus is on “Creative Partnerships” where leaders will discuss their experiences with creating and maintaining nontraditional partnerships. This Thursday, August 25, SWC will hold a “Creative Partnerships – tips for forging unlikely partnerships to protect sources of drinking water” webinar. Click here to register.