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About NASCA

NASCA AND ITS MEMBERS

The National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) is dedicated to strengthening natural resource conservation efforts across the United States by fostering collaboration, supporting professional development, and promoting sound policy initiatives. NASCA exists to provide a platform where individuals can connect with peers who truly understand their challenges and share a common commitment to preserving natural resources. By coordinating efforts and sharing expertise, NASCA helps ensure that state agencies are equipped to address both current and emerging challenges.

Find Your State Representative

Leadership

Board & Committees

NASCA is led by a dedicated group of officers and regional directors, as well as various committee groups to ensure representation and advocacy across the nation.

NASCA OFFICERS

Nikki Brinson, President, Colorado Conservation Services Division

Nikki Brinson

President
Colorado Conservation Services Division
Ashley Henderson, Vice President, Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee

Ashley Henderson

Vice President
Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee
John Switzer, Treasurer, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

John Switzer

Treasurer
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Susan Kozak, Secretary, Iowa Department of Agriculture | Division of Soil Conservation & Water Quality

Susan Kozak

Secretary
Iowa Department of Agriculture | Division of Soil Conservation & Water Quality

Tyler Brown

Past President
South Carolina Department of Natural Resource Conservation

NASCA REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Justin Hanson, North Central Director, Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources

Justin Hanson

North Central Director
Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources

Frank Minch

Northeast Director
New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Kent Zimmerman

Northern Plains Director
Nebraska Department of Natural Resources

Mike Baden

Pacific Director
Washington State Conservation Commission
Chris Colclasure, South Central Director, Arkansas Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Division

Chris Colclasure

South Central Director
Arkansas Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Division

David Williams

Southeast Director
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Miles Mitchell

Southwest Director
New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts | State of New Mexico Department of Agriculture

NASCA STAFF

Mike Beacom, NASCA's Executive Director

Mike Beacom

Executive Director
Mike Beacom has served as NASCA’s Executive Director since July 2022. Prior to that he spent more than 20 years serving in various roles for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). Beacom is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and resides in Central Wisconsin.
Dakota

Dakota Ewert

Executive Assistant
Dakota Ewert assists with member services and day-to-day operations as NASCA’s Executive Assistant. Ewert was raised on his family’s potato farm in Central Wisconsin and studied marine biology and wildlife conservation while attending college.
Kaylee Kerns, NASCA Staff

Kaylee Kerns

Communications coordinator
Kaylee Kerns manages NASCA's publications and design work in her role as Communications Coordinator. Prior to that she served as NASCA’s Executive Assistant from August 2023 through 2024. Kerns graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Anthropology and has a background in digital marketing, content creation and web, app, and graphic design. She and her husband, Jakob, reside in Central Wisconsin.
Jean Mansavage, Editorial Assistant

Jean Mansavage

Editor-Writer
Jean Mansavage retired in 2024 after a career as a Department of Defense historian, including roles with the U.S. Air Force and the POW/Missing Personnel Office. A DOD expert on military environmental issues, she authored two books and several articles and has taught U.S. Conservation History. Mansavage holds a BA in journalism and a Ph.D. in history.

Ray Ledgerwood

Project Coordinator
Ray Ledgerwood has facilitated the popular State Idea Sharing Session at NASCA's Annual Meeting since its inception in 2005. Ledgerwood formerly worked for the Washington Conservation Commission, the National Association of Conservation Districts and has assisted various state and local conservation entities with planning, training and facilitating services for more than 40 years. He is based in Washington State.
Membership

Influencing Conservation, Together.

NASCA members gain access to national networking, collaboration, training and advocacy.

Bylaws

The Structure Behind NASCA.

Interested in learning more about NASCA and how we’re governed? View our bylaws.

State Representatives

Find Your State Rep.

View our directory for conservation leaders for all states and territories.

Partnerships

The National Conservation Partnership

NASCA is a key member of The National Conservation Partnership, which allows us to be a leading voice for our state agencies as we use connections with other organizations to further our mission of educating conservationists, creating community and expanding value.

USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA)
National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA)
National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA)
National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA)
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)
National Association of RC&D Councils (NARCDC)
National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARCDC)
National Association of State Conservation Agencies

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