National Association of Conservation Districts

NACD Inventory of District U&C Conservation Activities

Executive Summary
In February 2007, the NACD Board of Directors adopted a national strategy to guide the Association in helping member districts address the challenges of natural resource management on developed and developing lands, including the emerging clientele of new landowners. The Strategy was based on first gathering a ‘snapshot’ of what conservation districts and their partners across the nation are currently doing in developed and developing areas including their work with new landowners, and what they need in order to be successful. A key goal was to learn what resource materials and tools districts are using, and what more they would find useful.

An inventory form was created and distributed to all conservation district offices. Members had from early October 2007 through mid-December 2007 to complete and submit it. A total of 767 districts from 46 states and two territories responded to the Inventory, giving a statistically supportive response of 26%.

The Inventory responses indicate that districts are active in all realms of urban and community conservation, especially soils management, water quality, and small acreage/farmland protection. Most work with individual homeowners, municipal offices/departments, developers/contractors, planning/zoning boards and homeowner associations.

They rely on technical resources from NRCS such as the Web Soil Survey, Electronic Field Office Technical Guide and National Conservation Practice Standards as well as EPA and state resources. They expect NRCS to maintain its leadership in technical standards and specifications, and want to see more made available for urban and community areas. They also want technical training and certification, funding and cost-share, staffing and equipment, information exchange, state and federal authority changes, state and national leadership, expanded partnering, visibility, and resource tools. Districts’ activities in these areas are funded primarily by state and county government, product sales and fees for services.

The occupations of district board members have broadened, with 52% farming/ ranching, 9% retired, 9% business owner/manager, and the rest spread throughout other professions. This is compared to 90% farmers/ranchers in 1967 and 71% in 1973.

District staffing has also expanded from primarily clerical/administrative to resource conservationist/technician, manager/administrator/director, and other professional positions. A small portion of technical staff are certified in a variety of areas.

The NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group compared the data and findings with the National Strategy. They made recommendations for the highest priority actions, including developing public awareness materials for districts; providing information exchange through the website, publications and NACD meetings; organizing training and certification opportunities for district employees; seeking needed technical assistance; and working with NRCS to update the FOTG.

Full Copy of the Report
To read a copy of the full Report, click here.

Make Sure Your Distric's Efforts are Accounted For
A total of 767 districts responded to the Inventory when it was conducted in the fall of 2007. The NACD Urban and Community RPG would like to hear from every district across the nation. If your district did not respond to the initial Inventory, we invite you to do so now. Click here to download the form, fill it out and send to Debra Bogar via email or fax at 303-988-1896 or mail to NACD, PO Box 621147, Littleton CO 80162-1147. If you’re not sure whether your district responded or not, contact Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org.