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August 11, 2009

NACD Reinforces Support for Conservation Funding

NACD today sent letters to Agriculture Appropriations conferees from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate reinforcing conservation districts’ support for Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) in fiscal year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations.

In the letter, NACD President Steve Robinson urged conferees to support NACD’s request of $924.446 million for Conservation Operations (CO), which includes CTA funding. Robinson also raised opposition to language in the Senate-passed bill that would shift funding for Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils to the CO account. NACD supports language passed in the House that maintains separate funding for RC&Ds.

Visit the NACD website to read our letter to Congress.

NACD Urges Senate to Expand Biomass Definition

NACD joined more than 50 organizations to propose a broader definition of renewable biomass in a recent letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Agriculture and Senate Environment and Public Works committees. (Click here to read the letter.) The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, passed by the House of Representatives, included a definition of biomass nearly identical to that found in the 2008 Farm Bill for private land; however, it excludes some of the biomass which could be made available from restoration and forest health projects on public lands. As part of the coalition, NACD is working to expand the Farm Bill definition to include both public and privately owned land.

Sign Up Begins for Conservation Stewardship Program

This week, USDA began continuous sign-up for the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). CSP provides financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air and related natural resources on their land. Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Ann Mills and NRCS Chief Dave White visited NACD’s offices today to discuss the rollout of CSP with various conservation and agriculture groups. White emphasized that CSP is now offered nationwide, with a simpler program design, and is more locally driven. To kick off the 2009 CSP sign-up period, NRCS has provided extensive information on the program, including a self-screening checklist, activity list, fact sheet, the CSP interim final rule and adaptable PowerPoint presentations. To access these materials, visit the NRCS website. The signup period cutoff is scheduled for September 30.

Job Opening: NACD Communications Associate and Web Manager

The National Association of Conservation Districts is seeking a talented Communications Associate and Web Manager to maintain and improve NACD's extensive website, write newsletter content, participate in conference planning and assist with member outreach and presentations. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in communication, writing and computers; experience with web design/maintenance; and a bachelor’s degree in related field. Visit NACD's website for a full job description. To apply, please email a copy of your resume and two writing samples to jobs@nacdnet.org.

Senate Confirms Bob Abbey as BLM Director

The U.S. Senate recently confirmed Bob Abbey as Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), where he will oversee a $1 billion budget and manage 256 million surface acres in 12 western states and Alaska.

Abbey brings substantial experience to the position, having served for eight years as the Nevada State Director for the BLM, providing direction and oversight for 48 million acres of public land managed by the Bureau in the state. From 1999 through 2005, Abbey was Chairman of the Executive Committee for the implementation of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act. During his federal career, Abbey served as the principal BLM proponent for the Great Basin Restoration Initiative.

NACD offers its congratulations and looks forward to working with the new Director.

EPA Seeks Public Input on Clean Water Enforcement Action Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public feedback on the future direction of EPA’s national water enforcement program. The public will be able to provide feedback until August 28 through an online discussion forum about EPA’s water protection efforts. The forum is part of a larger agency effort--initiated by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson--to improve the performance and enhance public transparency of state and federal Clean Water Act enforcement programs. The EPA will use ideas from the public forum to develop recommendations about the future direction for EPA’s water enforcement program, and will submit those recommendations to the EPA Administrator.

For more information, visit the EPA website.

2010 Stewardship Theme Focuses on Sound Conservation Habits

NACD will celebrate 55 years of stewardship efforts this year by focusing on everyday conservation habits with the theme, Conservation Habits = Healthy Habitats. 2010 Stewardship Week will be officially celebrated April 25 to May 2, 2010 and throughout the year. Poster Contest promotional materials are now available on NACD's website. Education materials for 2010 Stewardship Week will be available through the NACD Marketplace in early fall 2009. Additional information (Public Service Announcements, proclamations and more) to promote the 2010 Stewardship Week will be available this fall.

Pennsylvania Team Wins 2009 Envirothon Competition

Last week a team of Pennsylvania high school students took first prize at the 2009 Canon Envirothon, North America’s largest high school environmental education competition, beating out teams from 45 U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces. The competition awards more than $125,000 in scholarships and Canon products to students based on their knowledge of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and current environmental issues. NACD Leadership Development Specialist Phylis Vandevere and NACD Past President John Redding were on-hand for the competition; Redding addressed the competitors during the contest’s opening ceremony. The University of North Carolina – Asheville hosted this year’s contest, held August 2-8. The top 10 winning teams are: Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Missouri, Florida, New York, Virginia, New Hampshire and Illinois (tie) and Connecticut.

Is Your District Supporting NACD?

NACD’s 2009 fiscal year will be ending September 30 and we send a heartfelt thank you to supporting members who have already paid their dues. If your conservation district hasn’t paid its 2009 membership dues and wants to be credited in 2009, please submit your payment prior to September 30. Remember: your support of NACD is critical to our efforts on behalf of conservation in this country. Send a check to: NACD, P.O. Box 791206, Baltimore, MD 21279-1206. Credit card payments can be faxed to: (202) 547-6450. If you have questions about your membership dues, please contact Brad Ross, Senior Director of Member Services, at brad-ross@nacdnet.org.

In This Issue

NACD Reinforces Support for Conservation Funding (read more...)

NACD Urges Senate to Expand Biomass Definition (read more...)

Sign Up Begins for Conservation Stewardship Program (read more...)

Job Opening: NACD Communications Associate and Web Manager (read more...)

Senate Confirms Bob Abbey as BLM Director (read more...)

EPA Seeks Public Input on Clean Water Enforcement Action Plan (read more...)

2010 Stewardship Theme Focuses on Sound Conservation Habits (read more...)

Pennsylvania Team Wins 2009 Envirothon Competition (read more...)

Is Your District Supporting NACD? (read more...)

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Watershed Institute:
September 22-25

Public and private sector watershed professionals have until Friday to register for the Center for Watershed Protection’s Watershed Institute, held Sept. 22-25 in Columbia, SC. The program is designed to help watershed professionals develop comprehensive, effective watershed management plans. Participants will learn how to evaluate local watershed programs; set goals; field assess streams, uplands, forests, and wetlands; prioritize projects; measure improvements; and involve stakeholders. Conference registration closes August 15.

ACT Webcast to Focus
on Urban Forests

Public policymakers frequently face the challenge of balancing “gray” infrastructure—buildings, roads and parking lots—and “green” infrastructure—trees, shrubs and grass. The Alliance for Community Trees’ webcast on Aug. 20 will address those challenges and also provide information about the economics of adopting green infrastructure and guidance on the practice of urban and community forestry.

NACD Events Calendar

For additional details regarding the meetings listed below, click here.

August 12-14, South Central Region Meeting, Baton Rouge, LA

August 23-26, Southeast Region Meeting, Charleston, SC

August 27-29, Executive Directors' Conference, Santa Fe, NM

September 22-25, Joint Pacific and Southwest Region Meeting, Wyoming

January 31 - February 3, 2010, NACD 2010 Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL

NACD | 509 Capitol Court, NE | Washington, D.C. 20002 | (202) 547-6223 | www.nacdnet.org

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