November 20, 2007 eNotes - National Association of Conservation Districts">

November 20, 2007
index to previous eNotes

1. Farm Bill Vote Fails—Future Uncertain
On Friday, the U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture on the 2007 Farm Bill proposal. Cloture, a procedure to limit debate in the Senate, requires a vote of 60 Senators and, if passed, results in a limit of 30 hours of debate on a bill and restrictions on amendments. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Ranking Member Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have been discussing amendments and time limits on the Farm Bill for the last two weeks but have been unable to reach an agreement. Cloture is typically a last effort to move forward to reach a final vote.

Because the vote for cloture failed 55-42, future debate on the Farm Bill is uncertain. NACD is urging Senators to continue discussions and to bring the bill up again when the Senate reconvenes in December. Portions of the 2002 Farm Bill have been extended through the continuing resolution which expires December 14. If Congress fails to act on a new farm bill, several conservation programs cannot continue after that date. Both House and Senate proposals increase conservation program funding over $4 billion over the next 5 years.

Congressman Jerry Moran introduced legislation last week to extend the current farm bill for another year. As Congress returns the first week of December, further consideration of the Farm Bill is possible. We will keep you posted as any new developments occur.

2. Sims Serves as America’s Voice for Conservation at Trade Talk
America’s Voice for Natural Resource Conservation was heard loud and clear last week at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Trade Talk event in Kansas City, Missouri. NACD President Olin Sims, Director of Legislative Affairs Keira Franz and Director of Communications Lisa Lerwick represented conservation districts at the event where agriculture, conservation and other industry groups gathered for a six-hour marathon session of interviews with farm broadcasters. Sims participated in several radio and television interviews with broadcasters from across the country, expounding on the Farm Bill Conservation Title, the importance of technical assistance, a changing landscape and new landowners and wildfire impacts and threats.

Following the event, Steve Oetting, Past President of the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, hosted Sims, Franz and Lerwick on a field tour of conservation practices in Lafayette County. Tour stops covered several topics, including Missouri River related projects, terracing, water quality, flood plains and use of technical assistance dollars. Thanks to Missouri for a day of education!

3. State Meeting Marathon Continues
NACD representatives continue the extended coverage of state meetings from coast-to-coast in an effort to ensure the national connection is made to members on the ground. It is a short but busy week for the Association, with representatives in North Dakota, Alabama and Kansas.

NACD President Olin Sims is in Orange Beach, Alabama, this week participating in the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts’ annual conference. Sims delivered the keynote address at the meeting, providing an update on Farm Bill progress and discussing NACD’s role with Alabama conservation districts.

Second Vice President Bob Cordova traveled to Bismark, North Dakota, to address attendees at the North Dakota Association of Conservation Districts meeting. Cordova discussed NACD’s progress on each of our strategic goals and participated in a Farm Bill Panel.

Finally, Keira Franz, Director of Legislative Affairs, spent time in Wichita, Kansas, where she discussed the 2007 Farm Bill Conservation Title with the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, detailing what is in the House and Senate bills.

4. Annual Meeting Advance Registration Deadline Nov. 26—Hurry and Register!
Where can you attend a wide-variety of unique breakout sessions and workshops, listen to top conservation leaders speak and network with 1000 agriculture, conservation and environmental leaders from across the nation? This dynamic combination only happens once a year when conservation districts from across the nation and their partners in conservation get together at NACD’s annual conference. This year’s conference, themed “Conservation Beyond Boundaries,” will encourage attendees to think outside the box. It is a must-attend event for anyone involved in conservation. Come be challenged and inspired! Join NACD in Reno, February 10-13, 2008.

The deadline for advance registration for the NACD 2008 Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, is near. Be sure to register by November 26, 2007 to take advantage of advance registration price breaks! After November 26, the cost of registration packages goes up an average of $50. Click here to register today! Online registration is available.

New information has also been posted on NACD’s website regarding this year’s breakout sessions and workshops, tours, speakers and Conservation Expo participants. Go to http://www.nacdnet.org/events/annualmeeting/ for details. We look forward to seeing you in Reno!

5. 2008 NACD Live Auction: Raise your Hands and Raise the Bid!
Who'll give me a hundred dollars? One hundred dollar bid, now two, now two, will ya give me two? Two hundred dollar bid, now three, now three hundred, will ya give me three?

What will you give at the 2008 NACD Live Auction at the Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada? It’s guaranteed to be a fun party when NACD President Olin Sims takes the microphone and starts into his auctioneer chant. The Live Auction raises money for NACD’s Legislative Fund—unrestricted funds to use for activities such as congressional staff tours, officer travel to testify at congressional hearings and salaries of NACD legislative staff.

Enough talk about money, what’s up for bid? Snag a set of binoculars for your next hunting trip, beautiful jewelry for yourself or your valentine or an iPod for your kids! The items are starting to roll in. Be sure to submit your state or district’s Donor Pledge Form today so we can begin to promote your items. See you in Reno….and don’t forget your wallet!

6. New ELI Publication Highlights Wildlife Opportunities
Many conservation districts work with their state wildlife agencies and other public and private partners on wildlife habitat. Of potential interest to those conservation districts and agencies is a new publication from the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), "State Wildlife Action Plans and Utilities: New Conservation Opportunities for America's Wildlife." This 58-page report examines utilities in three states that represent a diverse range of utility types and regulatory frameworks—New Jersey, Michigan, and Washington. It identifies a wide range of opportunities for utilities and state agencies to use wildlife action plans to inform policy, planning and management decisions. It also highlights the wide variety of activities that utilities are implementing to conserve wildlife on their lands and waters, which can provide districts with additional partnering opportunities. The free report can be downloaded at http://www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11242 for educational purposes only.

7. Green Infrastructure Case Study Series
As many conservation districts know, 'Green Infrastructure' is a strategically planned and managed network of wilderness, parks, greenways, easements and working lands that provide conservation value to communities. The Conservation Fund has gathered a collection of reports from across the United States on efforts to promote this smart land conservation and allow for both future growth and the protection of significant natural resources. The Green Infrastructure Case Study Series offers examples from Maryland, Florida, Minnesota, Arizona, Washington and more. These free stories can be downloaded at www.greeninfrastructure.net/gi_case_studies.

8. A Note from NACD...
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We wish you all a warm and safe holiday. NACD’s offices will be closed November 22-23.

9. NACD Calendar of Events
December 12-13, Tribal Conservation District Workshop, Las Vegas, NV
January 3-4, 2008, North Central Region Board Meeting, Schiller Park, IL
February 10-13, 2008, 2008 NACD Annual Meeting, Reno, NV

To subscribe to eNotes, simply send a email with the word "subscribe" in the subject field to enotes-request@email.nacdnet.org.

For queries about this newsletter or if you are unable to automatically subscribe, contact editor Lisa Lerwick, NACD Director of Communications, at Lisa-Lerwick@nacdnet.org or 202-547-6223.