NACD Awarded $585,824 For Northeast Mid-Atlantic Forests & Water Partnership Project To Advance Regional Conservation Efforts In PA, Other States

On June 3, the National Association of Conservation Districts announced its Northeast Mid-Atlantic Forests and Water Partnership Project has been awarded a $585,824 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service’s Landscape Scale Restoration program. 

This grant will enable the Partnership to continue to advance its mission to create a collaborative network that leverages resources to manage, restore, and conserve forests and protect water resources. 

The vision of resilient and well-managed forests that improve water resources and create healthy watersheds will guide this effort. 

The Northeast Mid-Atlantic Forests and Water Partnership is an interagency, multi-partner collaboration dedicated to enhancing forest and water priorities across a 13-state footprint, from Maine to West Virginia and Ohio. 

Established in 2023, this partnership leverages the expertise of the U.S. Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and conservation districts. 

"This grant highlights the importance of our work at a time when conservation efforts are more vital than ever," said Annica McGuirk, NACD's Forestry Program Manager. "Collaboration is the key to our shared success, and this landscape-scale approach allows us to achieve greater conservation impacts by uniting the efforts of diverse partners." 

Building on the foundation established with the initial LSR grant in 2023, the new funding will enable the Partnership to expand its collaborative efforts and bring new partners into the fold. 

This includes projects in Pennsylvania focusing on the installation of riparian forest buffer demonstration sites and associated maintenance, as well as landowner education and outreach. 

Projects in Pennsylvania will welcome the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and The Alliance for Chesapeake Bay as incoming partners. 

In West Virginia, the focus will be on supporting the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife aquatics framework, emphasizing landowner engagement and conservation practices that support forested watersheds. New partners supporting this work in West Virginia include the West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts and Trout Unlimited. 

"This new grant allows us to build on the successful work that began last year," said Kim LaFleur, NACD President. "The continued collaboration among our partners underscores the crucial role of conservation districts in promoting shared stewardship and conservation on all lands. The involvement of grassroots partners remains the foundation of our success." 

As part of the anticipated work, the Partnership will develop and deliver training initiatives for natural resource professionals and landowners, creating communication tools and resources to support on-the-ground outcomes. 

These efforts are crucial for a regional partnership, ensuring consistent messaging and outreach across the region. 

The overarching goal is robust and effective partnerships focused on northeast forest-water conservation. 

The growing partnership continues to leverage the network of conservation districts and regional conservation professionals, moving towards achieving greater conservation impact. 

As the Partnership continues to develop, lead on-the-ground implementation efforts, and look ahead toward a successful 13-state regional model, the members remain committed to their mission to create a collaborative network that leverages resources to manage, restore, and conserve forests and protect water resources, and their vision of resilient and well-managed forests that improve water resources and create healthy watersheds. 

[Posted: June 3, 2024]  PA Environment Digest