New Jersey Association
of Conservation Districts
NJACD Overview
The genesis of Soil Conservation programs in the United States began with an Act of Congress in 1937 to remedy the environmental devastations wrought by the Dust Bowl era to peoples and agricultural lands throughout the country and beyond our borders. For over 75 years, Soil Conservation Districts and their partners have been working to address soil and water challenges and natural resource needs.
As a qualified nonprofit 501c(3) organization, NJACD plays an important role in statewide and national conservation programs for the Soil Conservation Districts, as well as the general public. NJACD provides support and service in the development of statewide conservation education, leadership and professional programs. It is an important link to national organizations like the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), just to name a few.
Working Together for the Future
See our Success
Over the years, we’ve made significant strides in conservation education and community engagement. View our Congressional Reports that highlight key moments that show not only our growth but also our ongoing commitment to inspire participation in environmental stewardship.
2026 - Congressional Report
Congressional Report Archive
2026 NJACD Officers
New terms begin January 1, 2026
Richard Dovey
President
Michael Rigolizzo
1st Vice President
Michael J. Ward
2nd Vice President
Cormac Morrissey
Treasurer
Joseph Lomax
Secretary
NJ NACD Board Member
Raymond J. Cywinski
Gina Berg
Alternate NJ NACD Board Member
Ines Zimmerman
Executive Director
SSCC & NJACD Meetings
Unless otherwise specified, NJ State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC) meetings convene at 9:30am on the second Monday of each month immediately followed by NJACD meetings (around 11:30 am) in first floor Conference Room (Auditorium) of the Health-Agriculture Building, 200 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey.
NJ Conservation Partnership
The New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts (NJACD) is a member of the New Jersey Conservation Partnership, a consortium of local, state, and federal agencies working together to provide leadership, natural resource management services, and conservation programs throughout New Jersey. The partnership supports the unique needs of landowners and land users across suburban, urban, and agricultural areas while promoting responsible conservation of the state’s natural resources.
The New Jersey Conservation Partnership includes the organizations below.
Members
- Rick Dovey, President, NJ Association of Conservation Districts
- Raymond Cywinski, NJ Representative to National Association of Conservation Districts
- Gina Berg, NJ Representative to National Association of Conservation Districts (Alt.)
- Frank Minch, Executive Secretary, NJ Department of Agriculture State Soil Conservation Committee
- Julie Hawkins, State Conservationist, USDA, NRCS
- Dr. Stephanie Murphy, Director of Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory