MACD, District Staff, and Partners Attend National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

Last week, February 11-15, 2023; Michigan was well represented at the National Association of Conservation Districts' Annual Meeting down in the "Big Easy," New Orleans.

The week was filled with training sessions, meetings, networking opportunities and various discussions about what's on the horizon for America's Conservation Districts. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, NRCS Chief Terry Cosby were some of the keynote speakers, and the repeated themes expressed by many speakers throughout the week was that this is the moment for Conservation Districts. The historic investment into the Farm Bill Conservation Title programming via the Inflation Reduction Act represents the largest investment in conservation in a lifetime. The need for delivering conservation on the ground to underserved populations and new customers we haven't reached in the past is greater than ever.

MACD and Partners to Offer Free Webinar Opportunity - "Closing the Deal: Selling Conservation Practices to Farmers and Landowners"

Join the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, the Western Lake Erie Basin Farmer-Led Group and Water Words That Work to learn the tricks of the trade from the most successful conservation field people. If you want rural landowners to say “yes” to conservation practices and easements, this course is for you. This free webinar series is open to the entire Michigan conservation community thanks to the generosity of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.

Upcoming MACD Webinar Opportunity: Maximizing Your Social Media

With the annual Tree Sale coming up throughout the state, to help districts maximize their sales and advertising, MACD will be hosting a Webinar on February 3rd, 2022 at 11am EST. MACD will share the tools of the trade to maximize the return on your social media content. Topics will include professional photography tips to get the best shots, editing photos with free tools, crafting your message, and measuring the impact your content has on your audience. Register before January 31st. Registration is $30 to cover speaker expenses.

MACD Members can register here.

Update on 2021 MACD Fall Convention

The health and safety of the Conservation District community remains the highest priority to the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts. MACD is paying close attention to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan and checking Delta Variant case number data on a daily basis. The MACD State Council will decide whether or not the 2021 Fall Convention will be in person, later this week when it convenes for its quarterly meeting.

Once a decision has been made, MACD will have additional information regarding registration and further details. Please check back next week, or look to your inboxes for an update accordingly.

Conservation District Day 2021 is Here!

By proclamation of Governor Whitmer no less, we are thrilled to celebrate Conservation District Day 2021 with all of Michigan's wonderful and hard-working Conservation Districts.

To help kick off CD Day, which lands on a Saturday this year, check out MDARD's "Fresh from the Field" podcast interview with MACD President and Kent CD Board President Jerry Miller, where he gives the low-down on what CDs are, why no-till farming rocks, and why Conservation Districts are so pivotal to the ecological and economic future of the Great Lakes State.

USDA Secretary Vilsack Talks Ag Aid in Michigan

Michigan welcomed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack with a series of in-person agricultural outreach events in early June.

Vilsack's visit comes hot on the heels of the White House announcing over $5 billion in potential funding for U.S. agricultural supply chain and conservation land management through its Build Back Better initiative. The USDA also announced this Spring over $6 billion in additional ag and food production aid through the USDA Pandemic Assistance effort.

2021 Stewardship Week: "Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities"

Welcome to 2021 Stewardship Week, which starts this Sunday, April 25, and runs through Sunday, May 2. This year's theme is "Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities".

This year the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), who hosts the national Stewardship Week every year, chose to focus this year's theme on the lungs of our land -- TREES! -- and how they impact the health of our local communities.

Congrats on the Grants!

Michigan CDs Bring in the Green with 2021 Funding Awards

A variety of 2021 grant awards were announced this week that will contribute much-needed funds to several Michigan Conservation Districts. Our congratulations to all of the successful applicants for the following grant programs!

Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP)

This year's Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP) has awarded a total of $1,841,100 to Michigan Conservation Districts! This program is designed to address strategic issues of prevention, detection, eradication, and control for both terrestrial and aquatic invasive species in Michigan. An especially pivotal endeavor this year, after last year's funding freeze during the vital invasive species intervention seasons of Spring and Summer 2020.

MACD to host 2021 Summer Conference Virtually on June 6th and 7th!

Executive Proclamation Celebrates 83rd Anniversary of Key Conservation Law,
Local Protection of Michigan’s Natural Resources

The Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) applauds Governor Gretchen Whitmer for establishing July 17, 2020 as Conservation District Day!