This proposal will facilitate continued collaboration among the diverse array of partners for the northeast-mid-atlantic partnership for forests and water

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) received a $1.17 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Eastern Region under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance program (CFDA 10.664) for the Northeast-Mid-Atlantic Partnership for Forests and Water. The award, obligated on July 10, 2025, with completion targeted for December 31, 2027, supports continued regional collaboration to maximize conservation impact across forested watershed restoration and private forest landowner engagement initiatives.

Under this multi-year project, NACD will develop coordinated messaging, communications tools, and shared resources to facilitate on-the-ground conservation outcomes among diverse regional partners. Key deliverables include providing training and resources to 5,000 forest practitioners—including foresters and natural resource professionals—to support active forest management practices that promote forest safety, productivity, and water quality. The multi-year structure reflects the substantial planning, partnership coordination, and seasonal work requirements necessary to accomplish the partnership's objectives within the Eastern Region.

The project continues coordination to maximize the collective conservation impact of forested watershed restoration and private forest landowner engagement throughout the region, developing coordinated messaging, communications tools, and resources to support on-the-ground outcomes, ensuring practitioners, partners, and members of the partnership are engaging landowners on these programs and practices utilizing shared resources and common language. Training and resources provided to 5,000 forest practitioners, including foresters and natural resource professionals support active forest management and for safety, productive forests, and water. This is a multi-year project as the work can't all be accomplished in a single year due to the planning, partnership, and seasonal work required and limited staff capacity.