Stewardship and Education

NACD's mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.

Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state and national levels. Educating youth ensures that the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources. Helping today’s adults understand the need for effective conservation practices builds on the conservation legacy. Through NACD’s Stewardship and Education efforts, we help districts extend the reach of their education programs.

Stewardship Program
For more than 50 years, NACD has sponsored a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. The program relies on locally-led conservation districts sharing and promoting stewardship and conservation activities. While the program encourages good stewardship year round, Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. The theme for NACD’s 2009 Stewardship Program is “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil.”

Education Resources
In addition to producing education materials for the Stewardship Program, NACD provides additional education tools to districts. Check out the Backyard Conservation tip sheets, presentations and comic book available for district use.

Contests
Contests provide an excellent opportunity for students to enjoy healthy competition while learning about conservation. NACD and the NACD Auxiliary annually partner to host the National Poster Contest and the Photo Contest. NACD also serves as a sponsor and judge for the annual Canon Envirothon contest.

Marketplace
NACD partners with Willow Marketing to create the Stewardship materials and with FFA for distribution. The 2008 Stewardship materials are available for sale on the NACD Marketplace.