|
November 17, 2009
NACD Highlights Conservation at Trade Talk
NACD First Vice President Gene Schmidt spoke out on behalf
of America's conservation districts last week at the
National Association of Farm Broadcasting's (NAFB) annual
Trade Talk event in Kansas, City, Mo. Schmidt was one of
many industry and agency representatives who participated
in the marathon morning of radio and television interviews
that will air across the country throughout the coming
months. He addressed climate change, Farm Bill conservation
programs, habitat, forestry and other conservation issues
during the interviews. Schmidt also highlighted his own
experiences as a producer in Indiana and showcased
conservation district success stories from across the
nation.
NACD participates in the Trade Talk event every year and values
the broadcasters’ message and reach. Districts are
encouraged to build and foster relationships with local
broadcaster(s). More information and a directory of
broadcasters is available on the NAFB website at
http://www.nafb.com.
NACD Conducting Legislative Survey
NACD is working on priorities for the Association’s 2010
legislative direction to ensure our efforts are focused on
issues important to conservation districts. NACD’s
Legislative Committee has prepared a short web-based
survey for local conservation district officials and state
associations to provide feedback. Survey responses will be
compiled and utilized by the Legislative Committee in a
proposal to the NACD Board of Directors at the upcoming
Annual Meeting in Orlando. Responses from parties not
directly tied to a conservation district will not be
considered.
Survey responses must be received no later than
December 18, 2009. The survey can be accessed by clicking here.
Senator Stabenow Introduces Climate Bill, Hearings
Continue
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced legislation
specific to USDA leadership and agriculture and forestry’s
role in a carbon offset program. S. 2729, the Clean Energy
Partnerships Act of 2009, addresses the creation of an
agriculture and forestry carbon offset program established
by USDA. The bill includes provisions on carbon
sequestration practices, technical assistance and
verification. S. 2729 is now pending in the Senate
Environment Committee; however, it was not discussed when
the committee completed action on the larger climate change
bill earlier this month. The committee did not consider any
changes to their original climate change bill (see last
week’s article).
Senator Stabenow has been a leader in working with
agriculture and forestry interests and continues to work
with her colleagues and other interest groups regarding
provisions of this legislation. The NACD Legislative
Committee is reviewing the legislation.
Climate legislation debate continues this week in the Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The committee will
hold a hearing tomorrow, November 18, to examine federal
forest management in response to climate change, including
management activities related to natural resource adaptation
and carbon sequestration. The hearing begins at 2:30 p.m.
Eastern and will be webcast live from the committee’s
website.
NACD Job Opening—Western Issues Specialist
NACD is seeking candidates for the Association’s Western
Issues and Forestry Specialist position vacancy. This
critical position within the NACD staff team works with
Congress and the Administration on western policy issues
including forestry, grazing, public lands, endangered
species and many others. The selected candidate will work
closely with NACD board members, as well as state
association and conservation district staff from western
states in the Southwest and Pacific Regions. A complete
job description with qualifications is posted on NACD’s
website. Click here to view the PDF document.
To apply, please submit your resumes and cover letter to westjob@email.nacdnet.org by December 15, 2009.
"Dig It" Soil Exhibit Receives Award
Yesterday, the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation (RNRF)
conferred its annual Outstanding Achievement award on the
exhibit “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil.” The exhibit has been
on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural
History since summer 2008, and was developed with
leadership from the Smithsonian Environmental Research
Center. Patrick Megonigal, curator from the Center, accepted
the award on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution. Many
NACD Board members and others visiting Washington, D.C.
have viewed the exhibit, which continues at the Smithsonian
through January 3, 2010. Additional information on the
“Dig It” soils exhibit can be found at http://forces.si.edu/soils/index.html.
Funding Opportunity for Habitat Restoration Projects
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is
accepting applications for the Five-Star Restoration
Matching Grants Program, which seeks to fund
community-based wetland, riparian and coastal habitat
restoration projects throughout the U.S.
A collaborative partnership of the NFWF, the National
Association of Counties, the Wildlife Habitat Council, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and corporate
partners the Southern Company and Pacific Gas and Electric
Company has made this opportunity possible. Accordingly,
the partnership seeks applicants who work within a diverse
collaboration of partners on their proposed projects as
well.
Grants range from $10,000 to $40,000 and are available for
both non-profit organizations and government entities.
The application deadline is February 11, 2010, but potential
applicants are encouraged to attend an online webinar on
December 10, 2009 for more information on the online
application process and to ask questions. Click here to
view additional information on NFWF’s website.
Notice Regarding E-mail Scams and Fraudulent Messages
Khimaria, NACD’s vendor for website hosting, recently sent
notification of several scams and fraudulent messages that
have been circulating via e-mail. These e-mails vary in
form and in the type of information they attempt to
solicit. Should you receive suspicious e-mails, please
remember to exercise caution and never provide information.
If you have received suspicious e-mails or have questions,
feel free to contact Support@Khimaira.com for help.
Additional information will be updated periodically at http://greenearthhost.com/.
NACD Accepting Applications for CEO Position
NACD’s Executive Board is actively seeking a candidate to
serve as the Association’s Chief Executive Officer. NACD
leadership is seeking applicants with significant executive
skills in leadership, communications and financial
management; the ability to embrace the mission and purpose
of conservation districts; the ability to energize
membership to take an active role in NACD; and the ability
to develop and sustain effective working relationships and
conservation initiatives with internal and external
constituents. If you know of potential candidates, please
encourage them to consider this opportunity by viewing the
vacancy announcement posted on the NACD website at
http://nacdnet.org/news/CEO_job_summary.pdf. Applications
will be accepted through November 30, 2009.
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.
|
