Kansas Association of Conservation Districts Awards
Kansas Association of Conservation Districts presents a variety of conservation awards at their annual convention. Award nominations, with the exception of the Kansas Leopold Conservation Award, are typically due the first week of October and are awarded at the annual convention.
Nominations have closed for 2023 KACD Awards
Pat Lehman Legacy Award
KACD was fortunate to hire Pat Lehman as the Executive Director in 2007. Pat served in this role until the time of his death in January 2015. While his time with KACD was cut short, his impact will be felt for years to come. To honor Pat’s legacy and to recognize outstanding conservation leaders in Kansas, KACD is honored to present the Pat Lehman Legacy Award at the KACD Annual Meeting each November to one deserving supervisor who demonstrated excellence in promoting and leading voluntary conservation through their years of service. The Pat Lehman Legacy Award recipient is selected by KACD executive board and will be invited to attend the entire convention as KACD’s guest.
Don Rezac Memorial Award
The Don Rezac Memorial Award is presented annually to one conservation district supervisor in Kansas to honor the memory of former Pottawatomie County Conservation District Supervisor and Kansas Association of Conservation Districts director of Area IV, Don Rezac.
Grasslands Merit Award
The grasslands committee presents the Grassland Merit Award to recognize an individual, organization or business providing exceptional service and support to the conservation, management and/or education of the grasslands of Kansas.
Pollinator Habitat Improvement Award
The KACD Pollinator Habitat Improvement Award is designed to recognize individual or family farmer/ranchers committed to promoting the importance of, and improving habitat for, pollinators.
Outstanding Supervisor Award
The KACD Outstanding Supervisor Award is presented annually to recognize county conservation district supervisors for their superior contributions and excellent leadership in promoting conservation in their community, their county and throughout the state.
DUE JUNE 10 - Forestry & Tree Award
Agroforestry Award
The Kansas Agroforestry Award recognizes individual private landowners and families that have done an exceptional job of managing and implementing agroforestry practices on their property. Through public recognition these people are held up as leaders in agroforestry while their lands demonstrate the benefits of such practices. The purpose of the award is to promote the adoption of agroforestry practices into Kansas agricultural systems.
Tree Farmer of the Year Award
State Forest Stewardship Landowner and Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Awards are combined into one award. Kansas Forest Service foresters, members of ATFS, members of KACD, Forest Stewardship landowners and Kansas State Tree Farm Committee and KFA members are all invited to submit nominations for the Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year. Award criteria will be based upon ATFS Outstanding Tree Farm of the Year guidelines and Forest Stewardship Program standards and guidelines. The KFA Board will select the award winner during their July meeting by majority vote.
DUE JUNE 1 - Leopold Award
Kansas Leopold Conservation Award
The $10,000 Leopold Conservation Award for Kansas will be awarded at the annual Convention. Nominations for the 2023 award will be due June 1, 2023.
Kansas Bankers Awards
Many local conservation districts partner with the College of Agriculture; Department of Agronomy, Kansas Bankers Association and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks in sponsoring and promoting the Kansas Bankers Awards. The awards provides recognition of farmers, ranchers, and landowners who have completed projects designed to improve environmental quality or conserve natural resources. Contact your local conservation district to learn about local award nominations and presentations.