What is an RCD?

California Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are local agencies that provide leadership and technical assistance to promote conservation of our soil, water, and related resources.  RCDs are legal subdivisions of the State, formed under Division 9 of the California Public Resources Code.  RCDs were originally formed in the 1930’s as a way to deliver conservation practices to farmers in response to the severe loss of topsoil in the Midwestern Dust Bowl region of the United States. Since that time, RCDs have grown considerably in size and scope and exist throughout the United States.

For almost 70 years, local RCDs and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly Soil Conservation Service, have been working in partnership to provide technical and financial assistance to landowners and stakeholders.  The mutual goal is to develop locally suitable solutions to address a variety of natural resource concerns, including watershed management and protection of water quality.  RCDs help landowners and communities develop a holistic approach to conservation planning by providing support and education to increase awareness of how land use activities affect our natural resources.

The purpose of the RCD is to focus on soil, water, and related natural resource problems within the District, to develop programs to help provide solutions, and to enlist and coordinate assistance from private and public agencies that can contribute to accomplishing sound land use.

Each District is independent and has a governing Board composed of five Directors owning land within the District boundaries.  Elected/appointed Directors guide policy and establish priorities.  Board members are volunteers and do not receive compensation for the work they perform on behalf of the RCD during their four-year term.

Volunteer activity is a key component to the workings of a RCD.  RCDs are non-regulatory and are the only grassroots conservation system that works cooperatively with multiple agencies and interest groups to identify problems and guide solutions voluntarily.

RCD funding comes from grants, fundraising, Special District Augmentation funds, and/or local property taxes.

Districts do not discriminate against any person, or persons, based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or handicap.