Welcome

The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) serves as the voice for Maryland's 24 soil and water conservation districts on state legislative issues. It also provides a forum for training, policy-making and the exchange of information at their annual  and quarterly gatherings.

MASCD Mission is to: promote practical and effective soil, water, and related natural resources programs to all citizens through individual conservation districts on a voluntary basis through leadership, education, cooperation and local direction. » Read More

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Part-Time Contractual Positions Available
November 21, 2011

The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) is pleased to announce that they are offering three part-time contractual, grant-funded positions to work within the state of Maryland on two different projects.  MASCD has just been awarded a grant by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to expand their Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program (FSCAP) and has signed a contract with the Maryland Department of Agriculture to combine funds from MASCD and MDA grants to explore, promote and expand nutrient trading opportunities for Maryland farmers.  It is anticipated that two positions will be located on the Eastern Shore and one in Central Maryland.  As many of the functions of the positions are similar, the successful applicants may be cross-trained.  Applications are due by November 28, 2011 and should be emailed to Lynnehoot@aol.com or mailed to MASCD, 53 Slama Road, Edgewater, MD 21037.

Position Description pdf

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2011 MASCD Annual Meeting

This summer's MASCD meeting will be held at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson, July 19-21, 2011.  The opening session for this three (3) day event will follow a morning SSCC training session.  The highlight of the first day is a group trip to the Orioles vs Red Sox baseball game.  Wednesday morning will start with Standing Committee meetings, an afternoon of partnership meetings followed by a tour of the new Baltimore County Agricultural Center, a 15 mile drive from Towson.  The Awards banquet and auction will be held in the evening.  The General Session will conclude the event for most participants at 11:00 am on Thursday and the Board meeting will wrap up the event at noon.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting where we will build knowledge and share ideas to ensure we continue to be Maryland's "Go to Team" for rural and urban conservation issues.

Invite Letter pdf
Full Registration Form pdf
Partial Registration Form pdf
Hotel Reservation Form pdf
Orioles Game Flyer/Form pdf
Agenda (Draft) pdf

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2010 Legislative Session Report

Final Report available as Word or PDF file

You can download a final report on the 2010 session at the links below. Surprisingly the districts faired well considering today's climate. We maintained the 7 field positions as required under the Ag Stewardship Act of 2006 and kept the language requiring the 110 position in tact. Cost share funds are at $10m and cover crop at $15m.

While we maintained our 7 positions in the budget - the legislature also called on the Governor to cut 500 state positions so these are very fragile positions.

2010 Report - Word File
2010 Report - PDF File

MASCD offers guidance document on E&S/SWM

The Role of Maryland's Soil Conservation Districts in Sediment Control And Stormwater Management During Construction

New laws and regulations have expanded the role of Districts in carrying out their sediment control and stormwater management responsibilities and still more requirements are expected to be received from EPA before the end of 2009. Download the full PDF document.

Maryland Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program Announced.

The Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD) has established the Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program (FSCAP) to encourage, acknowledge and reward farmers to put more conservation best management practices (BMPs) on the land. Read More.

NACD Northeast Regional Meeting Hosted By Maryland.

Fellow Conservationists - We were pleased to be the host of  the NACD NE Regional meeting this past  July 26-29, 2009. Solomons, Maryland provided a perfect setting for serious discussion on our common conservation issues as well as for a place to renew and start friendships and professional contacts.

We hope we showed all that attended our down home traditional Maryland hospitality. Be sure to come back and discover more of our great state.

Meeting with Governor O'Malley

MASCD and Maryland SCD representatives met with the Governor on March 9th, along with representatives of the Tributary Teams in Maryland.

Governor O'Malley discussed farm conservation planning, outreach to farmers and reviewed statewide progress in reaching Bay Implementation Goals via BayStat.

This was  the first time a Governor has asked to talk with us and engage in frank discussion about what the soil conservation districts do and how we are key players in reaching goals for bay restoration. We have every intention of working as hard as we can to reach those goals within our current staffing levels.