BASIC INTRODUCTION
Topics In Leadership
Management for Conservation
District Leaders
Instructor: Angela P. White
SWCDs
WHAT?
• “Political subdivisions of State Government"
that utilize state, federal, and private sector
resources to solve today's conservation
problems.
• Guiding Philosophy = Decisions on
conservation issues should be made at the
local level, by local people, with technical
assistance provided by government.
SWCDs
General Duties & Responsibilities
 Focus attention on local land, water and related
natural resource problems.
 Develop and implement various programs to solve
natural resource problems.
 Provide general conservation and natural resource
information; Source of help for citizens.
 Develop and Approve Conservation Plans for
various legislative programs.
 Provide cost-share assistance for BMPs.
VA SWCDs = 47
The Purpose of Conservation
Districts
• By working with landowners, organizations
and government the conservation districts
work to protect soil, water quality and other
natural resources, maintain resource
productivity and protect or improve
profitability.
DIRECTORS
GENERAL OVERVIEW
• Directors are members of District Boards.
• Authorized by state law to fulfill
responsibilities related to the management of
soil and water resources and the
conservation of natural resources.
What it takes to be a Director
• If you are going to be a director, you need to
be serious about the job. It takes a
commitment of your time, and sometimes
some of your money, to do the job properly.
You have a lot of responsibility.
 If something goes wrong, you are going to get at
least some of the blame. Here are a few examples:
 If district money is misused or missing,
 If grant agreement terms are not satisfied,
 If the district is accused of not treating all citizens the
same,
 If the district cannot operate properly because of lack of
funds, or
 If the district gets sued.
You are very important, but ...
• Much of the success of the district will be because
of your employees.
• Try to help them accomplish the goals of the district
as well as possible.
• If you can’t help them, please don’t get in their way.
• Even though you must make most important district
decisions, take advantage of their expertise and
listen to their opinions on district matters.