National Conservation District
Employees Association

District Employees Put Conservation on the Land

2006 NCDEA Regional Reports Index

Southwest Region Report
December 19, 2006

Taos, New Mexico

197 District Employees in Region
2 State Employee Associations in Region
4 Employees on State Technical Committees

Officers

President -- Peter Vigil, Taos SWCD, New Mexico
Vice President -- Nick Hoban, West Greeley CD, Colorado

Legal Status of Regional CD Employees Association

The regional association continues to pursue the ratification of organizational by-laws and eventually a tax exempt status.

Annual Meeting

The Southwest regional employee association held its first organizational meeting during the NACD National Conference in Houston, TX in January of 2006.  A handful of New Mexico and Colorado employees worked together to draft an organizational plan of action and to set goals for membership and recruitment.  During this conference, the Southwest Region President and Vice President networked with representatives of the Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah Conservation District Associations.  The purpose of these conversations was to establish state contacts in areas where no formal employee associations exist and to foster cooperation between state conservation associations and regional and state employee associations.

The Southwest regional employee association met once more during the Southwest NACD Region meeting in Boise, ID in June of 2006.  Southwest region employees also met with Pacific region employees during this conference.  Employees from a majority of states within both regions were given the opportunity to meet and share experiences and ideas.  Pacific and Southwest employees were also able to attend a personnel training session co-sponsored by the Idaho and New Mexico employee associations.

Arizona – 68 employees
The Arizona Association of Conservation Districts held its bi-annual winter legislative convention in Phoenix, AZ in March of 2006.  The conference focused on District capacity building, drought preparedness, marketing and legislative priorities.  Approximately 42 conservation districts were represented.

Colorado – 23 employees
The Colorado employee association met in conjunction with the 62nd annual Colorado Association of Conservation Districts state meeting in Glenwood Springs, CO in November of 2006.  The CO employee association elected Danielle Wollert as state president.  The Colorado Association of Conservation Districts conference focused on Colorado water law, renewable energy and oil and gas drilling issues.  Approximately 77 conservation districts were represented.

New Mexico – 59 employees
The New Mexico employee association met in conjunction with the 60th annual New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts state meeting in T or C, NM in October of 2006.  The NM employee association elected Merry Jo Fahl as state president.  The NMACD conference focused on sub-division review, agriculture water rights and forest restoration.  Approximately 47 conservation districts were represented.

Utah – 47 employees
The Utah Association of Conservation Districts held its 58th annual convention in Park City, UT in November of 2006.  The conference focused on future agriculture trends, supervisor education and the Utah conservation partnership.  Approximately 38 conservation districts were represented.  UACD will host the Southwest/Pacific NACD region meeting in Park City, UT in September of 2007.    

Fundraising Activities

All states within the region are pursuing legislative funding.  Some states within the region allow taxing authority while others do not.  A majority of districts pursue grants for on the ground and education projects.  Employee associations rely largely on dues and fundraising activities.

Training and Professional Development Programs

Arizona
Arizona Conservation Districts continue to partner with NRCS to provide conservation education through its education Centers. Arizona will also host International Canon Envirothon in 2008.

Colorado
The Colorado employee association continues to offer educational opportunities to its members through trainings and workshops.  The Colorado Association of Conservation Districts continues to educate Colorado youth through the Camp Rocky program.  The camp focuses on Forest Management, Fish & Wildlife Management, Rangeland Science and Soil and Water Conservation. The Association also works with Districts to conduct several watershed tours throughout Colorado.

New Mexico
The New Mexico employee association continues to assist employees statewide with its training and professional development scholarship program.  The program reimburses employees up to $150 for training and related costs.  The employee association intends to work closely with New Mexico conservation partners to establish an Envirothon program in the state by 2007.  The New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts continues to implement the Food, Land and People program. 

Utah
The Utah Association of Conservation Districts has developed a series of supervisor training modules.  These are available to supervisors throughout the state.  The modules provide district officials with capacity building skills relevant to District operations.  Utah continues to implement the statewide resource assessment that was completed in 2005.  The 2007 Utah Envirothon will be held in Salt Lake City with a total of 15 teams competing.

Communications

Communications within the region have flourished and contacts have been established in every state.  Acknowledgement to Arizona Association of Conservation Districts, Arizona State Land Department, Colorado Conservation District Employees Association, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, New Mexico Conservation District employees, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts and Utah Association of Conservation Districts for their cooperation in compiling this report.

States in the Region

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah

2006 NCDEA Regional Reports Index