Fort Worth, Texas — The Lone Star State took center stage in conservation in October as Texas hosted the 2025 Joint National Meeting of the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) and the National Watershed Coalition (NWC) in Fort Worth. The multi-day event drew over 230 conservation professionals, agency directors, watershed sponsors, and partners from across the nation, representing nearly every U.S. state, to collaborate on shared challenges and opportunities in watershed and natural resource management.
The week kicked off on Monday with a Field Tour, offering attendees a firsthand look at Texas’s proactive approach to watershed and flood control management. Participants visited three flood control structures in the Fort Worth area, where local experts and engineers highlighted the maintenance, rehabilitation, and long-term resilience efforts that keep communities safe while protecting valuable soil and water resources.
The tour also included a stop at the Molson Coors Beverage Company, where company representatives showcased their conservation and sustainability initiatives, including innovative water-use efficiency programs, partnerships that promote watershed health, and corporate stewardship practices that align with state and national conservation priorities.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in breakout sessions, technical discussions, and networking opportunities focused on emerging conservation technologies, dam rehabilitation, flood prevention, and interagency collaboration. National and state leaders shared strategies for balancing agricultural productivity, infrastructure safety, and environmental sustainability.
Texas’s diverse landscape and strong partnerships made it an ideal host for the event. “From the High Plains to the Gulf Coast, Texas represents both the challenges and the opportunities that define conservation today,” said Rex Isom, Executive Director of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board. “Hosting this meeting allowed us to showcase how collaboration between local sponsors, state agencies, and private industry creates real, lasting results.”
The 2025 NASCA-NWC Joint Meeting strengthened connections between conservation partners across the U.S. and underscored the importance of shared innovation in watershed management. Attendees departed Fort Worth with new insights, tools, and partnerships to advance conservation efforts in their own states and communities.
The National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) represents state conservation agencies nationwide, providing leadership, advocacy, and coordination to strengthen conservation delivery systems.
The National Watershed Coalition (NWC) unites watershed sponsors, technical professionals, and partners working to protect, restore, and sustain watershed infrastructure and natural resources. Together, these organizations convene joint meetings to foster collaboration, share success stories, and set the course for future conservation action.
