Conservation Districts
in New York
Training Module 1
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation Districts
The Beginning
1935 FDR establishes Soil
Conservation Service (SCS)
Conservation Districts are
organized as units of state
government to improve land
and water resources
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation Districts
Conservation District is
A legal entity with many of the same
institutional responsibilities and powers of
a highly organized and ethical business
It plans and implements conservation
practices, seeking voluntary cooperation
and input from the public
Conservation Districts in NY
58 Conservation Districts
Conservation Districts in NY
Section 1
Purpose of Conservation Districts
Conservation Districts:
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
work with landowners, organizations,
and government to protect soil, water
quality, and other natural resources,
maintain resource productivity and
protect or improve profitability
Conservation Districts in NY
Purpose of Conservation Districts
Purpose and Responsibilities
New York’s Conservation Districts are
the “gateways” to natural resource
management in their local communities
Provide link between land owners and
a host of conservation service
providers
Conservation Districts in NY
Purpose of Conservation Districts
Purpose and Responsibilities
Educate public on benefits of conservation
practices
Encourages stewardship of natural
resources
Convince resource users to protect,
maintain productivity of the resource
Conservation Districts in NY
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Legally Speaking
Legal definition of Conservation Districts
NYS SWCD Law section 3:
“A Soil & Water Conservation District
means a county whose board of
supervisors has by resolution declared
said county to be a soil & water
conservation district.”
Conservation Districts in NY
Legally Speaking
Conservation Districts:
ARE political subdivisions of government
CAN ask county governing body to allocate an
appropriation in their budget
CAN own property & hold Conservation
Easements
CAN accept gifts
CAN raise funds for work performed
CAN sue and be sued
*For complete list of Powers of Districts consult Training Module 10 – SWCD Law
Conservation Districts in NY
Legally Speaking
Conservation Districts are:
NOT a non-profit
NOT authorized to levy taxes
DO NOT have the right to eminent
domain
CANNOT mandate conservation
practices
Conservation Districts in NY
Section 1
Key Activities of Districts
Conservation Districts:
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Focus attention on local land, water,
and related natural resource
problems
Develop and implement programs to
solve natural resource problems
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation Districts
What Districts do
Coordinate with federal & state agencies
Prepare long-range plan to address
conservation needs of the District
Secure necessary funding
Perform needed work
Evaluate success of work performed
Conservation Districts in NY
Key Activities of Districts
Conduct Resource Assessments – Assessing
the resource needs or issues of the District
Develop long-range and annual plans with
the goals & objectives designed to meet
prioritized needs
Seek funding to implement programs and
activities identified in their annual plans
Asses the progress of the District in
meeting the goals of their long-range plan
Conservation Districts in NY
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Conservation District Directors
Roles of District Directors
Directors are leaders, using their
own operation and activities to set
a good conservation example to
others, and demonstrate
conservation benefits
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation District Directors
Director Appointment:
County governing body of a Conservation
District appoints directors to delegate the
responsibility of developing and prioritizing
the District’s policies and programs
Directors are appointed by the county
governing body of the District to represent
their interests in natural resource
conservation
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation District Directors
Director Roles:
Be aware of natural resource needs within the
District, and actively seek input for solutions
Be an example of conservation management by
practicing applicable conservation methods
Promote the ethic of good resource
stewardship among all residents
Be familiar with laws, policies, and program
concepts of importance to the District
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation District Directors
Director Roles:
Manage staff, finances, and property of the
District through District Manager
Regularly attend District meetings and
functions
Take an active role in overseeing your
employees’ activities
Make the Conservation District business a
priority
Conservation Districts in NY
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Conservation District Staff
Role of District Staff
Responsible for the day-to-day
business of the District
Maintain the District office and
programs
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation District Staff
Staff Roles:
Assist the Board, land owners & manager, and
the general public with information, project
assistance, and access to resources
Maintain the District office; maintaining
office records, performing conservation
project activities
Represent the District and Board to the
Community
Conservation Districts in NY
Conservation District Staff
Staff Roles:
Implement policies and activities as directed and
approved by the Board
Recommend Board action on District business as
appropriate, advise the Board on issues, projects,
budgets, and any other matters as necessary or
requested
Report to the Board, County legislatures,
residents, and state agencies on a regular basis
about District activities, meetings, and events
Conservation Districts in NY
Additional Resources
Resource Available
Where to Find It
Soil and Water Conservation District
Law
SWCC Website
Laws of NY - SWCD
Soil and Water Conservation District
Office Manual
Located in each Conservation District
office.