On November 6, 2005, Brenda Smith, Arizona Ecological Services Office, participated in the National Association of Conservation Districts Environment and Resources Policy Committee meeting in Flagstaff, Arizona.  This committee’s role is to make policy recommendations and keep the NACD members informed about environmental and resources issues that affect natural resources.  They are the primary liaison between the NACD and environmental organizations and state and Federal agencies.  Major topics during this meeting included the National Fish Habitat Initiative, global climate change and NACD policy, Endangered Species Act reform, and the Forest Service/BLM biomass agreement.

There were also presentations on several programs in Northern Arizona:  the Diablo Trust, a collaborative effort to develop economic opportunities related to sustainable agriculture, and Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership, a group that advises the Forest Service on forest management activities surrounding Flagstaff.  FWS is a partner in both efforts.