Today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing a strengthened partnership to advance conservation and shared stewardship across America’s public and private lands.
The agreement was signed by NACD President Gary Blair and Acting BLM Director Bill Groffy, underscoring a shared commitment to collaborative, locally led conservation efforts that support sustainable land management, natural resource protection, and community resilience.
“This MOU represents an important step forward in aligning federal and local conservation priorities,” said NACD President Gary Blair. “By working together, our nation’s conservation districts, NACD, and BLM can leverage our respective strengths to deliver practical, on-the-ground conservation solutions that benefit producers, communities, and the landscapes we all depend on.”
This partnership aims to enhance and encourage coordination between local conservation districts and BLM field offices, promoting initiatives in line with the multiple-use mandate, such as soil health improvement, water resource management, wildfire mitigation, and habitat restoration. Through this collaboration, NACD and BLM will also work to expand outreach, share technical expertise, and support voluntary conservation practices nationwide.
“BLM values strong partnerships with local organizations like NACD,” said Acting Director Bill Groffy. “This agreement helps ensure that we are effectively engaging with conservation districts to better serve the public and responsibly manage our shared natural resources.”
The MOU reflects a mutual commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening communication, and advancing conservation strategies that are responsive to local needs while addressing national priorities.
