News & Notes March 2002

Pennsylvania Conservation Leaders Attend National Meeting

A group of approximately 30 Pennsylvania conservationists recently attended the NACD National Meeting in Reno, Nevada, to elect officers, discuss key conservation issues, and set policy affecting the conservation of private land, nationwide.

The Pennsylvania representatives, including PACD Executive Board members Ron Rohall, Jarrett Miller and Patricia Sueck, joined a national audience of more than 1,400 of their colleagues. "It was an excellent meeting, addressing a number of the pressing conservation-related issues that we're dealing with across the country," said Pat Sueck. "It is critical for us to let our voice be heard both locally and nationally."

Featured speakers at the event included Mack Gray, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resouces, who discussed the federal Farm Bill now being shaped by Congress. NACD is supporting the Conservation Security Act portion of the Farm Bill, as proposed by Sen. Tom Harkin, of Iowa.

Over 85 resolutions were brought to the floor for consideration during the business meeting. These ranged from topics such as the "Impact of Protecting Migratory Birds," and "Stopping Sewage Overflow Pollution in the Great Lakes," to "Support for the National Fire Plan." The NACD Executive Board also authorized a dues increase of $25 for next year, while entertaining a discussion on increasing dues by an additional 4 percent within two years.

The Conference also featured Regional NACD Board Meetings. The Northeast Region, of which Pennsylvania is a participating member, hosted a discussion on legislative priorities, the 2002 budget and setting goals for annual quotas.

During NACD's Awards Recognition Program, a featured event of the National Conference, PACD President Ron Rohall accepted a Quota Recognition Award on behalf of the PACD.

NACD's next scheduled national gathering is the Spring Legislative Conference, held March 17-19, 2002, at the Hotel Washington, in Washington, D.C. Details are available on the NACD website: www.nacdnet.org.

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