National Association of Conservation Districts

Last week, NACD President-Elect Steve Robinson traveled to Roanoke, Va., to attend the annual meeting of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD). The meeting marked the VASWCD's 70th Anniversary. Robinson spoke to meeting attendees and addressed a range of topics from conservation district and NACD history, to NACD’s activities over the past year and what the future might hold for conservation districts in the next 70 years. Robinson (right) is pictured in the photo above with VASWCD 2007-2008 President Ricky Rash (left).

Early this week, NACD renewed its long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The ongoing goal of the MOU is to work cooperatively to manage, develop and protect federal and private land and water resources through joint resource conservation projects. NACD CEO Krysta Harden met with BLM Director Jim Caswell in Washington, D.C., to sign the document. NACD looks forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with BLM at the national, state and local level.

Earlier this month, supervisors, staff and partners of Clark County SWCD in Indiana planted a tree in honor of 2007 NACD President Olin Sims. Clark County’s recent tree planting is one of several happening across the country as part of NACD’s Olin Sims Living Legacy Program. The Living Legacy Program encourages conservationists to plant a tree as a living memory of Olin Sims' leadership and dedication to natural resource conservation. Click here to learn more about the Living Legacy program, other tree plantings, and how you can be a part of it.

NACD President John Redding participated in a “media marathon” last week at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual Trade Talk in Kansas City, Mo. The expo-style event provided an opportunity for the 100-plus participating organizations and agencies to participate in interviews with broadcasters and journalists on their respective priorities. Redding emphasized the importance of the locally-led conservation delivery system, discussed the Conservation Title 2008 Farm Bill, and highlighted district involvement in climate change and urban efforts. Through outreach and communication, NACD serves as Americas Voice for Natural Resource Conservation.

More than 40 friends and partners gathered last week to plant a tree in honor of 2007 NACD President Olin Sims. The ceremony took place at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. where leaders from NACD, USDA, NRCS, USFS, NCDEA, NASCA, NARC&DC and the National Arboretum planted an American Chestnut tree (donated by the U.S. Forest Service). The planting is a part of NACD’s Olin Sims Living Legacy program, which encourages conservation districts and individuals to plant a tree in memory of Olin and his work with conservation. Click here to learn more about the Living Legacy program, other tree plantings, and how you can be a part of it.

Members of the NACD Forestry RPG met last week at the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) headquarters. NWTF is a national partner with NACD and the Forestry RPG, and local chapters collaborate with conservation districts on forestry and habitat projects. At the meeting the RPG discussed the implementation of the newly signed Joint Forestry Team MOU, Farm Bill implementation, and several other issues. The following RPG members are pictured in front of the NWFT headquarters building with NWTF Director of Land Management Programs Bryan Burhans: Tom Crowe, Charles Holmes, Garth Davis, Dan Dixon, Sonny Jones, Steve Hobart, Orval Gigstad, Doug Rushton.

NACD President John Redding and President Elect Steve Robinson joined NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster for a conservation tour of four Northeastern states last week. One stop along the tour was Homberg Orchards in Connecticut. The farm is a fourth-generation, family-owned enterprise that currently produces apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins, tomatoes, gourds, cut flowers, fruit pies, cider and wine, the majority of which is direct marketed through their farm market and pick-your-own operations. Redding, Robinson and Lancaster are pictured in the photo to the left visiting Holmberg Orchards with Eastern Connecticut Conservation District Chair Bill Jorsz and Vice Chair Norma O’Leary.

NACD Stewardship and Education Coordinator Susan Schultz attended the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) conference last week in Wichita, Kansas. Schultz hosted a booth highlighting NACD’s 2009 Stewardship theme, “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” and assisted with a conservation outreach workshop that featured over 80 outreach projects from conservation districts. NACD would like to extend a special thanks to Karla Beatty from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission for assisting at the NACD booth. Karla and others from Oklahoma will share their complete soil display and soil paintings technique at the NACD Annual Meeting in February at New Orleans. Come and join the fun! Keep an eye out at the NACD store for "The Secrets of Soils" education materials, which are coming soon.

The NACD staff gathered for two days in Annapolis, Md. last week for the annual NACD staff meeting. Members of the NACD staff came together to address any issues, opportunities and challenges facing NACD in the coming year. Staff also spent time reviewing staff assignments and planning for the 2009 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, February 1-4. The annual staff event is valuable, ensuring that each staff person fully understands their role and responsibilities as they implement the vision and decisions of the NACD leadership.

NACD President Elect Steve Robinson traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to meet with NACD staff as they closed out the fiscal year and to see the results of NACD’s recent month-long office renovation. As you can see from the photo to the left, there are still quite a few boxes left unpacked, and the NACD staff was more than happy to put Robinson to work helping unpack remaining boxes and sorting through and archiving the association’s historical documents. While in Washington, Robinson had several meetings with partner agencies, including NRCS and EPA.

NACD President John Redding participated in the National Association of State Conservation Agencies' annual conference last week in Whitefish, Montana. Redding spent time discussing opportunities for increased collaboration between state agencies and conservation districts, and expressed appreciation for the partnership districts share with state conservation agencies at the state and national level. The group also discussed District Official Program Accreditation plans and progress, outlining ways agencies can contribute in the effort. In the photo on the left, Redding joins leaders from across the country for a tour of Glacier National Park.

NACD CEO Krysta Harden took time to continue “business as usual” last week, in addition to her many duties required by a hectic renovation week. Harden met with USDA NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster to discuss a number of issues including the protection of producer information and the role of districts in this process, Farm Bill implementation status and NACD’s recent comments regarding Farm Bill funding and delivery. The leaders also outlined additional opportunities for conservation districts to collaborate with NRCS during the few remaining months of the Administration, and actions that can be taken to ensure a smooth transition.

NACD North Central Region Representative Beth Mason recently traveled to Minnesota where she participated in the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts' (MASWCD) Board Meeting. Also in attendance were representatives from the state employees association, several state agencies and other partners as well as state and local government officials. During her visit, Mason also attended a state agency board meeting of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) and participated in a conservation tour of Renville County, hosted by BWSR and conducted by the Renvsille County Soil and Water Conservation District. Mason (left) is pictured in the photo above with (l-r) Minnesota Area 6 Director Kathryn K. Kelly, MASWCD President Ken Pederson and MASWCD Executive Director Leann Buck.

Renovations at 509 Capitol Court NE, Washington, D.C. are well under way. As of last week the new conference room and offices on the main level of the NACD office building were framed in. This week, the duct work was completed and installation on the spiral staircase that will connect the main and lower levels has begun. The renovation process has not been without complications, from bad weather to permitting issues, but the project is on budget and on schedule. If everything continues according to plan, NACD operations should be up and running in the office on Monday, September 8, 2008. For more details on the renovation progress and photos, visit the 509 Capitol Court Renovation blog.

The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts served as hosts of the 2008 NACD South Central Region Meeting last week at the historic Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Ark. Conference attendees received updates on a variety of conservation topics, including 2008 Farm Bill implementation and the importance of locally-led Conservation, as well as many beneficial presentations on conservation district operations. Providing an update on NACD's many activities was NACD's Second Vice President Bob Cordova. Pictured are (l-r): NACD Executive Board Member John Compton, NACD Louisiana Board Member Earl Garber, South Central Region Chair Sonny Jones, NACD Past-President Bill Wilson, and Cordova.

Over 275 people gathered in Biloxi, Mississippi last week for the NACD Southeast Region Meeting, hosted by the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts (MACD). NACD President John Redding represented the association at the meeting, presenting policy updates, communication opportunities and discussing computer connectivity issues. Attendees enjoyed presentations on climate change, ecotourism, Canon Envirothon, animal identification and ethanol production. The group also spent time in the field, touring the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, the Pascagoula River Swamp, a state-of-the-art cattle operation and the quaint town of Ocean Springs. Redding is pictured in the photo to the left with NACD Southeast Representative Phylis Vandervere, North Carolina NACD Board Member John Finch and MACD President Ross McGehee.

Conservation leaders from all over the Northeast gathered this week in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for NACD’s Northeast Region Meeting. Conference attendees heard about trends and changes in agriculture in the Northeast; district opportunities in climate change, biofuels and other emerging areas; and conservation district success stories they could emulate. NACD President Steve Robinson provided an NACD report at the conference, outlining new resources provided by NACD, urban policy priorities and future challenges and opportunities. NACD Director of Legislative Affairs Keira Franz discussed the issues in the 2008 Farm Bill that are most relevant to the Northeast. Robinson and Franz are pictured above with New Hampshire State Conservationist George Cleek and New Hampshire Association of Conservation Districts President Calvin Perkins.

Last week, NACD President Elect Steve Robinson attended the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ (OFSWCD) 63rd annual Summer Supervisor School in Perrysburg, Ohio. Every year, OFSWCD and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, team up to host a training program for between 400-500 district board members, staff and partners from across the state. Attendees go “back to school” to learn the latest about local, state and federal programs. They also learn important lessons about their key roles and responsibilities in governing conservation districts. Robinson (pictured in the photo above) thanked Ohio for their continued support of NACD and commended them for continually challenging themselves to learn and grow in their roles.

Conservation district leaders from nearly every state and territory joined together last week in Washington, D.C. for NACD's 2008 Board Meeting and Legislative Conference. The conference kicked off Sunday night, followed by two days of informative speakers, an NACD open house and visits to Capitol Hill. The speaker line-up included Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, pictured above (center) with NACD CEO Krysta Harden and President Elect Steve Robinson. The meeting concluded Tuesday night with NACD's 2nd Annual Congressional Reception, which was held in the historic Mansfield room inside the Capitol building. The event was a great success and NACD members took home with them renewed energy to speak with one voice as America's voice for conservation.

Five NACD staff pedaled nearly 275 miles last week (from Ohiopyle, Pa. to Washington, D.C.) in the name of conservation districts. The purpose of the bike ride, dubbed the Renovation Ride, was to garner additional funds and support for the 509 Capitol Court Campaign, an initiative to raise money to renovate conservation districts' national office building in Washington, D.C. The Renovation Riders made their way into D.C. last Friday afternoon and were greeted by the NACD officer team (pictured above), NACD staff and several attendees of NACD's summer board meeting. The riders would like to thank those who came out to welcome them back as well as all of those who supported them with kind words and donations.

Members of a special advisory team assisting NACD in the development of a community wildfire desk guide and toolkit gathered last week in Denver, Colo. The group is designing materials for use by conservation districts, RC&D Councils and other local resource professionals. Advisory team members present at the meeting include Nevada-Tahoe Conservation District Manager Doug Martin (NV), BLM Fire Management Officer Steve Ellis, Jefferson County Conservation District Board Supervisor Karen Berry (CO), BitterRoot RC&D Coordinator Kit Sutherland (MO), University of Arizona Extension Resource Agent Stephen Campbell, U.S. Forest Service Branch Chief Susan Ford (not pictured). NACD was represented at the meeting by staff members and contractors Deb Bogar, Doug Williams, Fred Deneke and Bill Berry (not pictured).

A group of twelve Ohio conservation district leaders and NACD staff “saddled up” last weekend for a bike ride organized by the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The 52-mile route took riders through Delaware and Union counties where they made two stops—Price Organics composting operation and the farm of NACD President Elect Steve Robinson—where riders learned about the conservation efforts of each operation. Delaware and Union SWCDs provided the riders refreshments and hospitality. The OFSWCD organized the Ohio ride in an effort to raise additional funds for NACD’s 509 Capitol Court Campaign—a fundraising initiative for the renovation of conservation district headquarters in Washington, D.C. Thanks Ohio! Five members of the NACD staff will set off this weekend on the national Renovation Ride for the same cause. Keep up-to-date on their progress on the Renovation Ride blog.

NACD Secretary/Treasurer Gene Schmidt and members of NACD staff recently visited New Orleans. The group traveled to the Sheraton New Orleans to plan NACD’s next Annual Meeting, scheduled for February 1–4, 2009. They were joined by a large group of Louisiana leaders whose positive attitude and hospitality guaranteed the ’09 conference will be our best meeting yet! In addition to checking out hotel space and conference planning, the group enjoyed live music on Bourbon Street, stuffed themselves with delicious seafood and had a great time. New Orleans is ready for us; we hope you’re ready for New Orleans!

Delaware's conservation districts, the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts and the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control were gracious hosts this week to NACD Staff members Keira Franz, Lisa Lerwick and Mary Hammon. The staff toured urban conservation efforts in New Castle, Kent and Sussex County Conservation Districts, where they learned first-hand about projects ranging from storm water management to shoreline restoration. In the picture on the left, Nate Zimmerman of the Sussex Conservation District explains the underground stormwater management system being installed at the Lewes Town Hall. Many thanks to the tour hosts for an outstanding tour!

NACD CEO Krysta Harden and Northern Plains Representative Debra Bogar traveled to Nebraska last week to participate in the Northern Plains Region Leaders Meeting. The meeting drew state association presidents and executive directors, NACD board members, state employee association presidents, state conservation agency administrators and NRCS state conservationists from five states, as well as representatives from regional federal agencies. Some of the issues discussed included Missouri River initiatives, water management in Nebraska, Farm Bill, program administration and the need for districts to grow through federal and state changes. Harden and Bogar are shown in the photo above with several Northern Plains leaders.

NACD Second Vice President Bob Cordova traveled to St. Louis, Mo. last week to meet with leadership from the National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) at their mid-year board meeting. Cordova thanked the group for their support of NACD activities, provided a Farm Bill update, highlighted programs and resources available to conservation districts and their employees and outlined the challenges and opportunities ahead for conservation districts. Cordova is pictured in the photo above with NCDEA President Cindy Moon and the NCDEA Board of Directors.

With a little over a month to go until NACD’s Renovation Ride, the bike riders have kicked their training into high gear. To make their efforts worthwhile, they need you to kick your fundraising and donating efforts into high gear as well. The Renovation Ride is part of the larger 509 Capitol Court Campaign, an effort to raise money to renovate, repair and establish a maintenance fund for conservation districts’ national headquarters. To date, the Ride has contributed $33,745 to the Capitol Court Campaign, putting the fundraising total at $123,492. We are just short of half of the final goal of $280,000. Construction is scheduled to begin in August, so it’s time to kick the Renovation Ride into high gear! Are you up to the challenge? To learn more about the fundraising efforts and how you can help, click here.

Last week, NACD CEO Krysta Harden traveled to Puerto Rico to attend a portion of a leadership review activity held by NRCS. Harden’s visit was part of an outreach effort to conservation districts on the island. While in Puerto Rico, Harden visited several major conservation projects that involve districts and met with state and local leaders. In the photo to the left, Harden is pictured with Juan Martinez, NRCS Director of the Caribbean Area, on a tour of a Puerto Rico farm. NACD is hopeful this trip will help to improve communication and relationships between conservation districts on the island and their national association.

Twenty executive directors from state conservation associations across the country gathered in Saratoga, Wyoming last week for the annual Executive Directors’ Conference. Attendees networked, shared ideas and success stories and grew together as a stronger group of professionals. They heard from a variety of speakers, including members of the Wyoming legislature and oil and gas industry. The central theme that arose throughout the meeting was the importance of building and maintaining meaningful relationships. In addition to the program, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts made sure attendees got the true Wyoming experience with a driving tour around the area, cattle branding and a float down the Platte River. Many thanks to Bobbie Frank and all of Wyoming’s conservation districts for a great event!

Under the banner of “New Directions for New England’s Conservation Districts,” Conservation Partnership leaders from each of the six New England states met recently in Portsmouth, N.H. State association presidents and executives, NRCS state conservationists, state agency executives and RC&D representatives participated in discussions about programs and activities in the region. Agenda items included Section 319 approaches, opportunities for districts to partner with municipalities, NRCS and USDA programs, plus Farmland Protection. State association executives Michele Tremblay (NH) and Bill Bell (ME) provided coordination and leadership for the meeting. NACD Senior Advisor and NE Region Representative Rich Duesterhaus represented NACD at the meeting.

Last week the Covington County Soil and Water Conservation District in Andalusia, Alabama celebrated Stewardship Week, themed "Water is Life," with students at a local elementary school. In the photo to the left, students learn about the water cycle. The event was one of many stewardship-related activities that took place across the country last week. Stewardship Week is celebrated annually, the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May and helps remind all citizens of the power of each person to conserve natural resources and improve the world.

NACD President John Redding took a moment this week to hold a private stewardship lesson with his granddaughter Lucy. John and Lucy planted flowers together, talking about the need for plants to protect the soil and water. The event was one of many stewardship-related activities that will take place across the country this week as we all celebrate Stewardship Week, held Sunday, April 27 through Sunday, May 4. Stewardship Week helps remind all citizens of the power of each person to conserve natural resources and improve the world. Click here to learn more about 2008 Stewardship Week and the “Water is Life” theme.

Conservationists gathered this week at the picturesque and historic Elseroad Family farm in Maryland to celebrate Earth Day and recognize a new Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) easement partnership between the Elseroad Family and Baltimore County, Maryland. NACD CEO Krysta Harden joined Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, USDA Undersecretary Gary Mast, NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster and many other state and local conservation leaders at the event. Harden is pictured at the above with Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts President Lee McDaniel (left) and Maryland NRCS State Conservationist Jon Hall (right).

NACD CEO Krysta Harden attended the U.S. Department of the Interior's 2008 Collaborative Conservation Award Ceremony in Washington D.C. Monday afternoon. Among the 21 award winners recognized at the event was the Restore New Mexico Partnership, an initiative in which the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts (NMACD) and the Carlsbad Soil and Water Conservation District in New Mexico have played a key role. At the ceremony, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne presented the award to NMACD Executive Director Debbie Hughes. Hughes (l) is pictured in the photo to the left with NACD CEO Krysta Harden.

It isn’t every day that NACD shows visitors to our office storage room and then asks them to take a photo there! But what is happening is not an every day occurrence. NACD President John Redding and Secretary/Treasurer Gene Schmidt recently met with representatives from HITT contracting and 3dg architects to discuss the renovation of the NACD Headquarters office in Washington, D.C. NACD leadership has agreed to begin construction in August to give districts an office they can be proud of, but we need your support of the 509 Capitol Court Campaign and Renovation Ride to raise the funds necessary for renovations.

NACD CEO Krysta Harden (center) and NACD Western Issues Specialist Ralph Thier (not pictured) met last week with Bob Drake (r), the Chair of the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), and John Peterson (l), NACD Board member from Virginia and GLCI volunteer. The group gathered at NACD headquarters in Washington D.C. to discuss their partnership and issues impacting conservation on grazing lands. NACD is a charter member of GLCI and actively supports the work of the group.

Representatives from NACD, NRCS, Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters were in Washington, D.C. last week for the Joint Forestry Team’s spring meeting. Executives from each organization met with the Team to discuss how to improve interagency communication and cooperation; overcome barriers to providing forestry-related assistance; and finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding between the four organizations. Pictured in the photo to the left (l to r) are: NACD board members and Joint Forestry Team members Johnny Sundstrom (OR) and Charles Holmes (AL); Associate Chief of NRCS Dana York; Associate Chief of the Forest Service Sally Collins; NACD CEO Krysta Harden; and NACD Consulting Forester Doug Williams.

NACD Director of Member Services Brad Ross traveled to Provo, Utah last week to participate in the Utah Association of Conservation District's second annual New Supervisor Orientation. Ross informed twenty-four newly-elected Utah district officials about NACD history, the functions of a conservation district, the roles and responsibilities of board members and the role of the various members of the conservation partnership. Ross (far right) is pictured to the left with three of the new Utah supervisors (l-r): George Allen, Piute CD; Blaine Nebeker, San Juan CD; and Cindy Stanton, Piute CD.

The newly elected NACD officer team gathered in Washington D.C. last week for their first full official meeting. The officers discussed NACD budget issues, outlined annual priorities and met with NACD staff. In addition to dealing with internal issues, they also participated in meetings with agency partners, members of Congress and Congressional staff on a variety of issues, including appropriations and the 2008 Farm Bill. In the photo to the left, (l to r) NACD Second Vice President Bob Cordova, Secretary/Treasurer Gene Schmidt and President Elect Steve Robinson (far right) meet with NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster at USDA headquarters.

It’s appropriations time on the Hill and conservation district leaders from California, Georgia, Minnesota, Arkansas and Kentucky have all been in Washington, D.C. this month to meet with their Congressional members and staff. District representatives have also stopped by NACD’s Washington headquarters to talk policy, learn about NACD’s 509 Capitol Court Campaign and visit with staff. In the photo to the left, a delegation of conservation leaders from Minnesota are pictured in front of NACD’s national office with NACD CEO Krysta Harden, NACD Policy Director Keira Franz and NACD Grassroots Coordinator Jeremy Peters.

NACD President John Redding traveled to Oklahoma last week to participate in the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts’ annual meeting. Redding presented to the full crowd on several topics, including the 2008 Farm Bill, watersheds, progress in the district official accreditation program and NACD’s successful 2008 Annual Meeting. He also spoke to the Oklahoma Board of Directors, Oklahoma Conservation District Employees Association and the Presidents’ Association. Redding (right) is pictured in the photo above at the Oklahoma state meeting with and OACD President Scotty Herriman (left).

Conservation district officials from Texas, Georgia, Michigan and California and members of the Great Lakes Committee were in Washington, D.C. this week for several reasons, including Great Lakes Day and Hill visits. Several district leaders also attended the National Association of RC&D Councils’ (NARC&D) 2008 Annual Leadership Forum. NACD Legislative Director Keira Franz participated in one of the NARC&D receptions this week. Franz is pictured in the photo to the left with NARC&D Executive Director Roberta Jeanquart (left) and NARC&D Immediate Past President Sharon Ruggi (center).

NACD President Elect Steve Robinson of Marysville, Ohio, traveled to Jackson, Tennessee this week to address the crowd at the Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Meeting. Robinson provided updates on the 2008 Farm Bill and general NACD business. He is pictured on the left with TACD President Barry Lake and Tennessee State Conservationist Kevin Brown. In related news, NACD President John Redding was also on the road, traveling to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to participate in the annual meeting of the state’s conservation districts.

More than 1000 conservationists from across the Nation gathered in Reno, Nevada last week for NACD’s 62nd Annual Meeting. The conference was a huge success, with the highest attendance in five years, a buzzing Conservation Expo, dynamic general sessions, prestigious award winners, policy-setting board meetings and more. Both general session speeches and conversations in the hallways centered on the conference theme—“Conservation Beyond Boundaries.” Conservation district officials and their partners came away from the meeting reenergized and ready to stretch their own boundaries. Details about the conference are available at http://www.nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/.

NACD CEO Krysta Harden attended a celebration of the one millionth acre enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) programin Washington, D.C. The one millionth CREP acre is owned by Steve and Margaret Lange in Pipestone, Minn. Farm Service Agency Administrator Teresa Lasseter (pictured in the photo to the left with Harden) and other USDA officials, Congressman Tim Holden (D-PA), Congressman Tim Walz (D-MN), landowners of the first and one millionth CREP acres, CREP partners and others gathered at USDA to celebrate the achievement.

NACD Second Vice President Bob Cordova traveled to Jackson, Miss. last week to attend the annual meeting of the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts. Cordova addressed the crowd, providing updates on NACD activities and recognizing Mississippi leaders for their contributions to the national association. In the photo to the left, Cordova is pictured with Canon Envirothon Executive Director Clay Burns.

NACD President Olin Sims died unexpectedly last week in an accident on his ranch in McFadden, Wyoming. Sims was a trusted friend and colleague to many. He truly loved the land and was committed to the work of conservation districts. He was a family man who was proud of his Wyoming roots. Olin will be deeply missed by the NACD family.