January 15, 2008 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts

January 15, 2008
index to previous eNotes

1. Congress Returns to Washington
The 110th Congress reconvenes its second session this week. Members of the House of Representatives returned to legislative session today, and the Senate will return January 22.

Among Congress’ priorities will be the 2008 Farm Bill. Agriculture committee leadership from both the House and Senate will be participating in the Farm Bill Conference Committee to resolve differences between the House-passed and Senate-passed versions of the bill. Once conference has been completed, the final bill will be brought before Congress for approval and then sent to the President for his signature. NACD continues to meet with committee staff as they prepare for the Farm Bill conference.

Another priority of Congress will be work on fiscal year 2009 appropriations bills. As Congress begins work on appropriations and the Administration releases its budget request for FY 2009, NACD will be working to represent the interests of conservation districts by advocating for increased funding levels for Conservation Technical Assistance, State and Private Forestry and 319 Nonpoint Source Grants.

2. Calling All Procrastinators: Annual Meeting Deadlines Loom
Regardless of the reason you’ve put off registering for NACD’s 2008 Annual Meeting, you can’t delay any longer! Advance registration closes this Friday, January 18. Hotel rooms can also be reserved at the group rate until January 18. Still undecided? Below are ten of many, many reasons you should be in Reno, February 10-13, 2008.

10.	*Explore the Biggest Little City in the World.* Take a drive to Lake Tahoe, hit the slopes or check out local art. There’s something for everyone in Reno!
9.	*Think outside the box.* Challenge yourself to learn about new and exciting ways to address conservation issues on an ever-changing landscape.
8.	*Support your national association.* Join forces with your colleagues to demonstrate the strength of conservation districts.
7.	*Legislative Updates.* Learn the latest on the 2008 Farm Bill and other pieces of key legislation.
6.	*Expo Extravaganza!* Wander the aisles of our Conservation Expo to connect with partner organizations and learn about new products.
5.	*Annual Live Auction.* Have a great time while supporting NACD’s Legislative Fund.
4.	*Outstanding Tours.* Do you want to see history, local conservation efforts or the area’s natural beauty? Take your pick; the tours offer all three and more! Hurry and register. Space is limited.
3.	*Dynamic General Sessions.* Assistant secretaries, agency heads, local leaders and more; hear from the greats in conservation.
2.	*Priority-setting board meetings.* Shape association policy and ensure that your national association is on track to represent you!
1.	*See and be seen.* The meeting is arguably the best event of the year to network with conservation leaders from across the country.

See you in Reno! Register today at http://nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/registration.phtml. Detailed tour information is available at http://nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/activities.phtml.

3. Leave Room in Your Suitcase in February—Pack a Book!
Leave a little room in your suitcase and a lasting impression in Reno, Nevada. In conjunction with our 62nd Annual Meeting in February, NACD is coordinating a “Pack-a-Book” community outreach project. You can participate by packing a favorite book(s) on natural resources/conservation to donate to one of 64 urban and rural elementary schools in Reno’s district.

If you are unable to attend the 2008 NACD Annual Meeting and you are interested in donating book(s), you can still participate by shipping book(s) directly to our contact in Reno. Go to http://www.nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/activities/pack-a-book/ for more information on the project, directions for donating a book and a list of book suggestions. If you have questions about how you can help, call 317-326-2952 or e-mail stewardship@nacdnet.org.

4. Limited Time Only—10% Discount on Stewardship Orders of $150+
2008 Stewardship “Water Is Life” materials are available for preview and purchase! Products include a watershed poster, student booklets, activity sheets, educator and church leader guides, PowerPoints for youth, adult and churches, a program insert and much more! For a complete list of products, see the 2008 Stewardship catalog at http://www.nacdnet.org/stewardship/2008/. Additional items are also available for download at no cost from the NACD website at http://www.nacdnet.org/stewardship/2008/downloads/.

Materials can be ordered from the NACD Marketplace at http://www.nacdstore.org/. For a limited time only, Education and Stewardship orders of $150 or will receive a 10% discount. The discount code, NACD2-29-08, is good until February 29, 2008 and can be used only once per customer. The discount does not apply to sample packet purchases or other NACD store items such as hats, service pins, etc. This offer is for a limited time only, so place your Stewardship order today!

5. Environmental Quality Incentive Program Applied to Forestry in the West
The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition recently released a report, Environmental Quality Incentives Program – A Western Summary. The report is based on a survey completed by the 17 western states and six Pacific Island Territories. The summary provides program managers and decision makers with information about how the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was operating in the West with respect to forestry from 2002 to 2006. The report contains detailed accounts of individual state EQIP implementation and successes, which could lead to the development of ideas for new applications of EQIP funds for forestry.

The fourteen-page report is available for download at the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition’s website at http://www.wflcweb.org/infomaterials/reports.php.

6. 2008 Excellence in Conservation Award Nominations Deadline Approaching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking nominations for the annual NRCS Excellence in Conservation Award. The award highlights the valuable contributions that non-Federal government individuals or groups make to conserve natural resources on private land. Any non-Federal individual, group, tribe or organization is eligible for nomination by a NRCS employee. Nominating criteria, guidelines and directions for submitting nominations can be found at http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewerFS.aspx?id=3620. Nominations should be made no later than February 4, 2008.

7. AgLearn—A Valuable Potential Resource for Districts
The Agriculture Learning (AgLearn) Service is a valuable learning tool for continuing education and career development. AgLearn online courses are available to all conservation district and state association staff members. Visit the AgLearn website today at www.aglearn.usda.gov to take the virtual tour of the system. If you are interested in taking courses, contact your state NRCS office to get registered and start using the training.

Issues some district staff may have encountered in the past when trying to access the Skillsoft training have been resolved. They will now see the entire course catalogues and have the 24/7 access, as previously advertised.

For security reasons the AgLearn website is protected by USDA eAuthentication. You must have a working eAuthentication account in order to log in to AgLearn. This can be addressed by logging on to http://www.eauth.egov.usda.gov/. If you have any questions regarding this eAuthentication, please email eauthhelpdesk@usda.gov or call (800) 457-3642.

8. Smart Growth Implementation Toolkit Available
Is your District interested in learning more about Smart Growth to either participate in current community discussions or to help initiate them? Check out the Smart Growth Implementation Toolkit, produced by the Smart Growth Leadership Institute through an EPA grant. In addition to explaining Smart Growth, goals and principles and offering case studies, the kit provides specific tools to check if your community's policies and regulations are creating safer, healthier, more livable neighborhoods. The Smart Growth Implementation Toolkit is available at http://www.smartgrowthtoolkit.net.

9. NACD Calendar of Events
February 10-13, 2008, 2008 NACD Annual Meeting, Reno, NV
July 18-23, 2008, NACD Summer Board Meeting and Legislative Conference, Washington, D.C.
Aug. 3-5, 2008, Northeast Region Meeting, Portsmouth, NH

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