The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has released a report about the impacts of recent Executive Orders and funding freezes on America’s locally led conservation delivery system, including conservation districts and the producers and communities they serve. The report was informed by a survey the association distributed to conservation districts last month, which received over 350 responses from across 45 states and territories.
In a letter to Congress, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) stated it’s appreciation of President Trump’s comprehensive review of federal finances, including financial assistance vehicles such as grants, cooperative agreements, and contribution agreements. However, the subject Executive Order (EO) and recently rescinded OMB Memorandum M-25-13 have the potential to adversely affect thousands of conservation districts across the country, as well as the producers and communities they serve. NACD respectfully requests that conservation districts and their associations be granted a waiver to the pause on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) disbursements and receive express authorization to continue efforts under their current grants or agreements with USDA.
Last month the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the 2024 Urban and Community Conservation (UAC) grant initiative recipients. These grants are open to any conservation district or tribe within the U.S. and its territories.
The Senate Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member John Boozman released a framework outlining Senate Republican farm bill priorities. NACD commends that the framework supports NACD’s top farm bill request by calling for the incorporation of all remaining Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) conservation investments into the conservation title of the bill. The framework also supports NACD priorities to simplify and streamline conservation programs, bolster Natural Resources Conservation Service watershed programs, and incentivize the enrollment of marginal land within the Conservation Reserve Program.
President Biden recently signed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations legislation into law that provides funding for several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. NACD appreciates that the enactment of final federal spending legislation prevents a government shutdown and ends temporary funding measures but is disappointed that it reduces funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and several programs and accounts that are critical to conservation.
This week, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the open application period for the 2024 Urban and Community Conservation (UAC) grant initiative. The grants are open to any conservation district or tribe within the US and the territories NACD serves.
This week the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) administered oaths of office to its new Officers and Executive Board members.
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced the award of $15 million in new technical assistance grants as continued funding to nearly 500 conservation districts in 49 states and territories.
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Board of Directors elected Kim LaFleur of Plympton, MA to serve as the association’s President-Elect. She will serve a one-year term as President-Elect alongside current NACD President Michael Crowder, and will assume the role of NACD President in 2023.
The National Association of Conservation Districts and a coalition of 165 leading agriculture, conservation and wildlife groups sent a letter to Congress urging them to ensure that the proposed $28 billion investment into U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agriculture conservation programs and conservation technical assistance remains in the final budget reconciliation package.