Through the NCPP, five partner agencies work together to expand training opportunities, offer new tools, support those working in conservation at the field level, and build a workforce of strong conservation planners. Since 2015, we’ve operated by the principle that sound conservation planning leads to better conservation delivery.
In 2023, we adopted a strategic plan that continues to guide our efforts. As a part of the launch of our new website in 2026, we expanded our offering of training and other online resources to become the go-to destination for conservation professionals to find the tools they need.
NCPP’s Journey of Listening, Learning, and Leading through Action
October 2014
Partnership concept proposed by the five founding partners
February 2015
Memorandum of Understanding signed by founding partners
April 2015
Feedback collected from 5,000+ producers and planners through three nationwide surveys, two focus groups, and producer interviews
August 2017
First Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence applications launched
February 2018
Kicked off the first of eight National Listening Sessions
October 2018
Released FAQ and indexed released feedback to guide improvements in conservation planning
May 2019
Held a three-day national work session and developed NCPP’s Priority Framework
February 2020
Memorandum of Understanding renewed
November 2020
Recommendations provided to NRCS for Conservation Planner Policy, which were adopted in the revised national policy
February 2021
Hosted virtual leadership training sessions #1-2
June 2021
- Hosted virtual leadership training sessions #3 and #4
- Reviewed State Conservation Plans requested from all 50 states
- Supported states in developing shared project, data collection, and communications plans
October 2021
Hosted virtual leadership training session #5
May 2022
- The Training Access Project – Proposed Recommendations and Solutions Report was presented at the NCPP Spring Conference
- NCPP’s new Local Working Group Guidebook was released
- Hosted in-person leadership training session #1 in Minneapolis, MN
July 2022
Started to plan a new three-year NCPP Strategic Plan
February 2023
Partner leaders signed the new NCPP Strategic Plan
February 2024
Held an in-person listening session in San Diego, CA
April 2024
Conducted a nationwide survey with responses from staff in all 50 states
May 2024
Approved a content strategy designed to strengthen professional development and advance conservation
July 2024
Launched the first of four Conservation Planning Part 2 pilot courses for the year
August 2024
Kicked off monthly co-sponsored CD/CART forums
February 2025
Memorandum of Understanding renewed
June 2025
Nationwide training survey of employees
July 2025
Strengthening the Conservation Planning Pipeline strategy approved by partner leaders
October 2025
Launched registration for the first NCPP Conservation Planning Training Pilot
February 2026
Launched the revitalized NCPP website and communications plan
