National Association of Conservation Districts
NACD's mission is to serve conservation districts by providing national leadership and a unified voice for natural resource conservation.
U&C Forestry/Green Infrastructure
As communities grow, trees and open spaces are cleared to make way for buildings, roads, parking lots and utilities—the gray infrastructure. Yet it is well known that trees and other vegetation—the green infrastructure—play key roles in environmental health. They clean our air, filter our water, protect our soil, cool our streets, shelter wildlife and provide aesthetic beauty for people.
It is important to strategically plan for and protect these natural services. Most cities have their own environmental department, yet may not have adequate resources. Smaller communities are often more limited in their capabilities.
Conservation districts are an excellent source for the type of resource management assistance that can lead to success. They are locally led, bringing people together to prevent and solve problems. Where programs already exist, districts can join the team and offer their outreach and technical expertise. Where programs are struggling or non-existent, districts can be instrumental in pulling together the necessary players to build the plan and seek resources to implement it.
Click here to download more information about the federal-state-local partnerships in urban and community forestry and green infrastructure activities, and how districts can become involved.
District Showcases
- Spokane CD, WA
- Conservation District of Southern Nevada, NV
- Homer SWCD, AK
Events
- Partners in Community Forestry National Conference - To learn about the urban forestry annual conference hosted by the Arbor Day Foundation, November 9-11, 2009, in cooperation with NACD and other organizations, click here.
Resources
- USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry
- Urban and Community Forestry State Coordinators
- National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council
- USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area U&CF
- USDA National Agroforesty Center
- Green Infrastructure
- Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition
- American Forests
- Alliance for Community Trees
- National Arbor Day Foundation
- Tree Link
Training
- The Conservation Fund - Conservation Leadership Network
- Strategic Conservation Planning Using a Green Infrastructure Approach
- The Practice of Environmentally Sensitive Development
- Vision and Values with Peter Forbes
- Wildland Urban Interface & Green Infrastructure
- Society of Municipal Arborists
- Municipal Forester Institute
- International Society of Arboriculture
- ISA Certified Arborist
- ISA Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist
Potential Funding Sources