National Association of Conservation Districts

NACD Urban, Community and Coastal Conservation Strategy

Executive Summary

The NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group (formerly Urban, Community and Coastal Resources Committee) is charged with providing guidance to the Natural Resource Policy Committee on issues and services to member districts in this area of focus. While the Committee strove to meet members’ needs, focus was often driven by grant projects and progress was limited by staff time.

In 2005, Committee members met with NACD Officers to discuss their concerns about declining resources for districts in urban, community and coastal areas at the same time that needs for services are growing quickly. As a result of this discussion, the Officers charged the Committee with developing an overall strategy on how NACD can best assist districts facing the challenges of developed and developing areas.

The Committee developed this Strategy over the next year and a half while continuing to work on grant deliverables and other projects. They based their recommendations on comments and requests from members over the years; the NACD Northeastern Region district-level assessment conducted in early 2006; and feedback from a state level survey conducted in the fall of 2006.

The Urban, Community and Coastal Conservation Strategy was designed to help meet the NACD Strategic Goals: Public Awareness and Public Relations; Support for State Association and Conservation Districts Members; and Grassroots Advocacy.

Recommended actions include increasing district visibility in urban, community and coastal areas; strengthening district capabilities and funding; and showcasing and networking districts’ work on water quality/quantity, urban-rural interface, and coastal/estuarine resource issues. The strategy also calls for ‘stepping up’ districts’ support of NACD’s efforts to increase conservation technical assistance funds along with obtaining technical and financial resources through other sources.

This Strategy was adopted by the NACD Board of Directors at their meeting in February 2007. Members of the Urban and Community Resource Policy Group meet annually to determine priority actions and work throughout the year to implement them.

For additional information on the Strategy, contact Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org.