Agencies Hold Listening Sessions on Co-op Conservation

A series of public listening sessions are being held around the country to get public input on cooperative conservation programs.  NCBA and Public Lands Council members are encouraged to attend.  Officials from the departments of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, the EPA and the White House Council on Environmental quality will attend the sessions.

The administration wants to know how the government can better work with local communities and landowners to protect the environment and promote conservation.  Agency heads have said they want to better respect the interests of people with ownership in land, water, and other natural resources.  All sessions will have an open microphone for 2 or 3 minutes of speaker comments.  A written statement will also be accepted.

Upcoming sessions include: 

• Columbus, Ohio, 4 p.m., Aug. 21, OSU Ag Admin Auditorium  
• Redmond, Ore., 10 a.m., Aug. 22, Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center 
• Omaha, Neb., 1 p.m., Aug. 24, Qwest Center Omaha-Convention Center
• Muncie, Ind., 10 a.m., Aug. 26, Horizon Convention Center Exhibit Hall
• Fairbanks, Alaska, 10 a.m., Aug. 28, The Carlson Center 
• Jefferson City, Mo., 1 p.m., Aug. 29, Runge Conservation Nature Center 
• Enid, Okla., 1 p.m. Aug. 30, Cherokee Strip Conference Center, Piner Hall
• Redding, Calif., 9 a.m., Sept. 13, Shasta County Board of Supervisors Chamber
• Colorado Springs, Colo., 9 a.m., Sept. 15, Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs
  Gymnasium
• Brewer, Maine, 4 p.m., Sept. 20, Jeff’s Catering Banquet and Convention Center  
• Brunswick, Ga., 1 p.m., Sept. 21, Coastal Georgia Community College, Southeast Georgia Conference Center
• Colton, Calif., 10 a.m., Sept. 28, Colton High School Auditorium