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September 1, 2009
Registration Opens for NACD’s 64th Annual Meeting
Registration is now open for NACD’s 64th Annual Meeting,
scheduled for January 31 – February 3, 2010 in Orlando,
Fla. Guaranteed to be a fun-filled event, this year’s
conference is themed “Committed to Conservation.” Districts
and individuals from across the nation will showcase their
commitment to conservation, both in general sessions and
through participation at the event.
NACD’s partners have also planned a dynamic lineup of
additional activities and tours. Take a trip to the
world-famous Deseret Ranch; enjoy the sights, smells and
tastes of Florida at the Florida Culinary Extravaganza;
enjoy fireworks and dessert at the Epcot IllumiNations event
or take in live music at “Singin’ with the Likes of Sinatra.”
Register today at http://nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/ to receive the discounted early registration rate. Check
back often; details regarding breakouts, speakers and tours
will be added in the weeks ahead.
Southeast Region Leaders Gather in Charleston
Conservation leaders from the Southeast Region met in
Charleston, S.C. for the 2009 Southeast NACD Regional
meeting last week, hosted by the South Carolina Association
of Soil & Water Conservation Districts. Highlighted during
the meeting was a partnership agreement signing between
regional representatives of NACD, NASCA, NCDEA, RC&Ds and
NRCS.
The meeting began with a Green Infrastructure Workshop
sponsored by the Conservation Leadership Network and the
Conservation Fund. The Southeast Region Board also met,
reelecting John Finch (North Carolina) and Roy
Gillis (Tennessee) as Regional Chair and Vice-Chair. In
addition, NRCS State Conservationists and NACD leaders held
a Cooperative Conservation Roundtable where many issues
relevant to streamlining conservation efforts and increasing
partnership opportunities were discussed.
Other highlights of the meeting included district showcases
from each state, a Washington Perspective from NACD and
breakout sessions on various topics including River Ecology,
MarketMaker online software, Berkeley Blueways and more.
NACD President Steve Robinson, CEO Doug Loudenslager, Past
President John Redding, Executive Board Member Pat
Henderson and Member Services Representative Phylis
Vandevere all participated in the event.
NACD Comments on Conservation Reserve Program
Last week, NACD President Steve Robinson submitted Farm
Bill comments to USDA on the Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP). In its comments, NACD stressed the
importance of improved program delivery, including
technical assistance delivery, conservation planning and
technical standards. NACD also commented extensively on the
operation of CRP and barriers to producer participation, as
well as supported new provisions such as the farmable
wetland program to include constructed wetlands and the new
authority for cost-share payments for thinning of trees.
Click here to view NACD’s full comments.
State Execs Network and Learn in Santa Fe
Executives from state associations of conservation
districts from across the country joined in Santa Fe, N.M.
last week for their annual meeting. The directors received
updates on carbon trading activities in Oklahoma and
Illinois, as well as briefings on district accreditation
programs in pilot states Utah and Arkansas. NACD CEO Doug
Loudenslager met with the group for discussion and feedback
on how NACD can best serve conservation districts, and the
group used the opportunity to have roundtable discussions
on current and emerging issues within their respective
states. The Taos Soil and Water Conservation District
hosted the executive directors for a day of touring. The
group learned about the extensive, centuries-old system of
irrigation canals, or Acequias, in the area watershed and
how critical the system is to water conservation and
agricultural production.
Many thanks to Eddie Vigil, Brent Van Dyke, Jim Berlier,
Debbie Hughes, the Taos Soil and Water Conservation
District, and the New Mexico Association of Conservation
Utah Districts Again Support 509 Capitol Court Campaign
The Utah Association heeded the call from last month’s NACD
Board meeting and Legislative Conference. During last
week’s Executive Director Conference, Utah Executive
Director Gordon Younker presented NACD CEO Doug
Loudenslager a check for $5,000 as an additional
contribution to the 509 Capitol Court Campaign. States were
asked at NACD’s July Board meeting to contribute an
additional $5,000 to retire the office renovation account.
A tip of the NACD cap goes to Utah and President Bill
Rasmussen for their support. This contribution brings the
Campaign over the $200K mark! Please visit
http://nacdnet.org/events/509campaign/ to see who has
donated and how you can help.
EPA Advisory Committee Addresses Critical Issues
NACD Second Vice President Earl Garber joined members of
the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory
Committee (FRRCC) last week in Sacramento, Calif., for the
group’s semiannual meeting. The group met with various
ranking officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and welcomed Larry Elworth as the Agency’s new
Agricultural Counselor to the Administrator.
Presentation highlights included agriculture’s role and
impact on renewable fuels and climate change, and an
in-depth look at agriculture and water issues in
California. In addition, FRRCC members completed work on
a number of white papers, covering a multitude of topics
including land use, nanotech, CAFO inspections,
cooperation with the National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture, communication between EPA and
the agriculture community and a producer recognition
program. Finally, the group visited a number of local
vineyards and farms to see first-hand the environmental
challenges being addressed by California producers.
The FRRCC was formed as part of EPA's National Strategy
for Agriculture, and operates under the rules of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to advise the
Administrator on environmental policy issues impacting
farms, ranches and rural communities. NACD is one of about
30 members on the Committee. The Committee will have to be
re-chartered in 2010 by the EPA administrator if it is to
continue. Additional information on the FRRCC is available at
http://www.epa.gov/ocem/frrcc/.
Editor's Note
Due to the Labor Day holiday, next week eNotes will come
out on Wednesday.
Enjoy reading eNotes? Sign up your board today at http://nacdnet.org/news/publications/enotes/ or forward this link to a friend and encourage them to sign up too. Take advantage of helpful conservation news and resources arriving in your inbox every Tuesday at no charge.
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