Your local Soil and Water Conservation District

ABOUT YOUR CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The function of the conservation district is to take available technical, financial, and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for conservation of soil, water, and related resources.

Adapted from Pete Nowak’s ‘The conservation district official: villain or victim?’

CONSERVATION DISTRICT OFFICIAL’S JOB DESCRIPTION

Conservation district official’s serve on a multi-member board that establishes and implements programs to protect and conserve soil, water, prime and unique farmland, range land; woodland, wildlife. Energy and other renewable resources on local; non-federal lands.

DUTIES

Identify local conservation needs, and develop, implement, and evaluate programs to meet them. Educate and inform landowners and operators, general public, and local, state and federal legislators on conservation issues and programs. Supervise other volunteers and paid staff working with the district; coordinate with cooperating agency personnel.

Administer the district by delegating tasks through a structure of board officers and members, committees, and others; raise and budget district funds and report on activities to the public. Coordinate assistance and funding from federal, state and local government; district associations; and private groups.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest and background in conserving renewable natural resources.
• Communication skills.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Other district officials.
• State conservation agency.

BENEFITS

• Satisfaction in seeing conservation practices applied.
• Interaction with others interested in natural resource conservation.
• Input into local, state, and federal conservation programs.
• Training through the state conservation agency.

TIME REQUIRED

Attend twelve (12) regularly scheduled board meetings, as well as committee, special meetings, and events for an average of approximately 30 days per year.