The National Association of Conservation Districts held its Tuesday General Session in Anaheim, California on Tuesday, February 4. The session featured presentations by conservation leaders from across the country.
USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie was the first speaker. As Undersecretary, Bonnie oversees NRCS and the Forest Service. He spoke about the importance of conservation districts in partnering with the federal government to help deliver services to farmers and ranchers.
NRCS Chief Jason Weller and NACD President Earl Garber presented the NACD/NRCS Earth Team Award to the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District of Huntsville, Alabama. The district was awarded for the excellence and dedication of their Earth Team Volunteers, who dedicate countless hours to helping NRCS and conservation districts.
Chief Weller spoke about current legislative and regulatory topics, including the changing of the NRCS logo to also incorporate the USDA logo, the recently passed 2014 Farm Bill, the Strike Force Initiative, and CIS grant funding.
Nancy Stoner, the Assistant Administrator for Water at the Environmental Protection Agency highlighted the importance of water conservation and quality in agriculture and other areas. She mentioned the success of the 319 grant program that helps fund the projects of conservation districts across the country.
Wildfire prevention and management was the subject of California Fire Safe Council Executive Director Margaret Grayson’s presentation. She highlighted the role that her organization plays in wildfire prevention and gave examples of the council working with local conservation districts to install practices to help prevent wildfires.
Electric Power Research Institute Program Manager Jessica fox discussed the Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project. The project allows power companies to engage in water quality credit training with farmers. A farmer installs a water-quality improving best management practice that will offset nutrient loading from a power plant; the power plant will pay the farmer for installing the practice.
Paul Buttner, Manger of Environmental Affairs at the California Rice Commission, highlighted the conservation practices implemented by rice farmer. These practices provide habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. He stressed that rice fields in California, Texas, Louisiana, and other areas are critical to the survival of many bird species.
Pictured: NRCS Chief Jason Weller presents the Earth Team Award to the Madison County SWCD of Huntsville, Alabama.