Conservation Districts emerged during the 1930s as a way to prevent the soil erosion problems of the Dust Bowl from recurring. Formed as independent local liaisons between the federal government and landowners, conservation districts have always worked closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service).In California, Resource Conservation Districts are "special districts" organized under the state Public Resources Code, Division 9. Each district has a locally elected or appointed volunteer board of directors made up of landowners in that district. RCDs address a wide variety of conservation issues such as forest fuel management, water and air quality, wildlife habitat restoration, soil erosion control, conservation education, and much more.
California now has 103 Resource Conservation Districts, most of which are funded largely through grants. A few receive limited funds through county property tax revenues. The Department of Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service provide training and in-kind support, as well as a watershed grant program for districts.
Today, RCDs work in urban areas as well as with farmers and ranchers on agricultural-related concerns. California's size and geographical diversity-along with an ever-growing population-make natural resources stewardship a great challenge in the Golden State.
In local communities across California, Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are working to conserve land, water, forests, wildlife and other resources for the benefit of us all. RCDs are independent special districts governed by a Board of Directors made up of 5 to 9 landowners elected or appointed to serve the district. Overall, there are 103 RCDs in the state of California. RCDs operate under
; and while they are locally controlled, they are a legal subdivision of the state. They have enjoyed a long partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS) and the California Department of Conservation. RCDs are grassroots government organizations that work to get individual and community goals accomplished. RCDs have no regulatory power and must meet their goals for the natural resources in their community through voluntary approaches -- neighbor asking neighbor to cooperate.
As a local government entity, RCDs can work with any local, state or federal agency through simple cooperative agreements. Many times the RCD can get conservation activities on the ground faster, cheaper and with greater local sensitivity than any other government entity.
Local resource conservation districts are an excellent vehicle for striking a balance between the economic self-interests of individuals and the community's need for a healthy environment. The two goals are not incompatible, although it sometimes requires education and assistance for land managers to reconcile them both.
Opportunities exist in your community to work with your local RCD on cooperative efforts to improve the natural environment. RCDs are moving from working with landowners one at a time to working with groups of landowners within a watershed, to accomplish a matrix of goals such as reducing fire risk, improving grazing and increasing wildlife habitat.
As with all grassroots organizations, the RCD is only as effective as the leadership its citizens provide. Locally led RCDs can speak with credibility on policy issues at all levels of government, which impact natural resources on private lands.
For over 50 years resource conservation districts throughout California have effectively represented the local community in addressing natural resource problems. They continue to create opportunities for landowners to identify and accomplish stewardship goals on an individual or watershed basis.
