Iowa “boots on the ground” for conservation: District opportunities Clare Lindahl Executive Director Conservation Districts of Iowa

 Keep lobbying for state and federal staff  WARNING: Patience required! District opportunities

 Apply for a funding opportunity:  Farm Bill  Lobe Opportunity  Water Quality Initiative  Conservation Innovation Grants  Water Protection Fund (WPF) and/or Watershed Protection Fund (WSPF)  Local grants through foundations and corporations District opportunities

 Implement a good hiring process:  Utilize the employee/employer handbooks  Finding, interviewing and evaluating employees  Send to CDI to distribute announcement  Send your employee to training. District opportunities

 Find efficiencies  Embrace technologies and innovations  Engage the private sector District opportunities

 Forge a new partnership.  Some Districts are sharing an employee with the Board of Supervisors, Co-op, hunting group, etc.  CDI can assist with a letter of request. District opportunities

 Lean on:  Conservation Districts of Iowa  Field Representative  Regional Basin Coordinator District opportunities

 Sense of urgency  More people to feed  More food to produce  Litigation  Less federal and state resources  Thank you for the time you volunteer as an elected official. Locally Led