- Leadership at USDA and EPA to share a vision for the future of working lands conservation.
- Attendees to view global soil, water and agriculture through the lens of esteemed National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson.
- Government, nonprofit and private sector leaders share how conservation can be measured leading to new income streams to pay for producers.
- Register today for a live pass and exclusive post-event access at swcs.org/21AC
(Ankeny, Iowa – May 12, 2021) The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) 76th International Annual Conference, to be held virtually July 26-28, 2021, will bring the latest industry research, tools and technical information, from far and wide, right into the offices and homes of attendees. Registration is open through July 16, 2021.
The theme of this year’s conference is “One World, Connected through Conservation.”
“We are looking forward to connecting conservationists from around the world to learn, have dialogue, become inspired by ideas and build a future for global conservation,” says SWCS CEO Clare Lindahl. “Our user-friendly, online conference platform makes it easy for attendees to network with presenters, sponsors, leaders and one another.”
The conference will begin Monday, July 26, with a panel of newly appointed and incoming US environmental policy leaders. The panel will explore the role of working lands in government-wide efforts to mitigate the impacts of a changing climate. Panelists will include:
- Gloria Montaño Greene, Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA
- Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Acting Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics at USDA
- Radhika Fox (invited), Acting Assistant Administrator in the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water
Jim Richardson, esteemed photographer for National Geographic, will deliver the Pritchard Lecture on Tuesday, July 27. Richardson has traveled the world to cover stories of soil, food, farmers, and the vast problems and possibilities before us. His stunning photos capture the beauty and intricacy of the connection humans have with soil, water and the environment.
USDA NRCS Acting Chief Terry Cosby will speak to attendees on the morning of Wednesday, July 28, followed by a panel of SWCS members who are leading initiatives in the public, nonprofit and private sectors to advance tools and methods to measure, target, quantify and scale up conservation. With ambitious environmental goals being set around the world, attendees will learn how measuring outcomes to better understand and pay for success is being conducted. Panelists will include:
- Lisa Duriancik, Watersheds Assessment Leader for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)
- Lexi Clark, Program Director for Field to Market
- Jason Weller, President of Truterra LLC
- Michelle Perez, Water Initiative Director for American Farmland Trust (Moderator)
In addition to the 200 oral and poster presentations, the conference will include special online galleries, an exhibit hall, virtual socials and games. Specialty sessions will feature live demonstrations and project tours, and foster discussion around climate change adaptation; justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in conservation; and initiatives that span geographic or political boundaries. All presentations will also be recorded and available, exclusively, to conference registrants after the event.
Personal and professional development sessions will accompany the science and practice presentations, and continuing education units will be available for certified crop advisors, professional agronomists, professionals in erosion and sediment control and others.
To learn more about activities at the SWCS International Annual Conference or to register, visit swcs.org/21AC. Registration will close July 16, 2021. In order to prepare speakers and attendees for the best event possible, no registrations will be accepted after the July 16 deadline.
###
About SWCS
For seventy-six years, the Soil and Water Conservation Society has been the premier international organization for professionals who practice and advance the science and art of natural resource conservation. We believe sustainable land and water management is essential to the continued security of the earth and its people. Our goal is to cultivate an organization of informed, dynamic individuals whose contributions create a bright future for agriculture, the environment and society. The Soil and Water Conservation Society is headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, with chapters across the United States and Canada.
For More Information:
Clare Lindahl, CEO
Soil and Water Conservation Society
clare.lindahl@swcs.org