Partners in Conservation

1. Partners in Conservation Training Module 3 Special thanks to the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts for assisting in the development of this training module.

2. Module 3 – What You’ll Learn • Who are the Districts’ State and Federal partners? • Who are the Districts’ non-profit partners? • What other organizations do Districts work with?

3. Discussion Questions • How do the following groups assist Districts: • New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee (State Committee) • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) • New York Association of Conservation Districts (NYACD) • National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) • What other organizations do Districts traditionally partner with? • In what NYACD Division is your District located? • Who is your NYACD Division Representative at the state level?

4. State & Federal Partners Conservation Districts partner with many local and statewide agencies, groups and organizations. • The 2 main agencies that assist Districts are: • New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

5. State Committee Soil and Water Conservation District Law states: • The New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee is responsible to assist Districts in the following areas: • Offer assistance to the District Directors in implementing their responsibilities. • Keep the Directors informed of the activities of all other Districts. • Facilitate an interchange of advice and experience between the Districts.

6. State Committee cont… • Approve and coordinate the programs of all Districts. • Secure the cooperation and assistance of federal and state agencies to further the work of the Districts. • Formulate policies and procedures for the extension of aid from federal or state agencies to the Districts.

7. State Committee cont… • Disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of Districts. • Encourage the formation of Districts in areas where their organization is desirable.

8. State Committee cont… Under this arrangement Districts will: • Submit to an annual report and the regular and special meeting minutes to the State Committee. • Notify the State Committee of the time and place of regular and special meetings. • Upon request, submit other documents and information.

9. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - NRCS NRCS is a federal agency with the goal of conserving natural resources on private land. • NRCS works through a voluntarily incentive based program for privately owned lands, as well as with other private and public resources, and units of government. • Many Districts have an NRCS employee housed in local USDA Service Centers.

10. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - NRCS cont… • A memorandum of understanding was executed between USDA and Conservation Districts at the time of its organization. • This Mutual Agreement and the Cooperative Working Agreement allows the District to utilize NRCS technical services. • In general, the agreement says that NRCS will: • assign technical personnel to the District. • provide assistance in accordance with the District’s Annual Plan. • consult with the District in advance when personnel and/or assistance changes are to be made. • may provide office facilities.

11. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service - NRCS cont… • According to these agreements Districts will: • Conduct resources assessments • Set conservation priorities for the District • Carry out local conservation programs • Prepare: • Long Range Plans • Annual Plan of Work • Annual Reports

12. Non-Profit Partners • Conservation Districts also receive assistance from 2 partners that are non-profit organizations: • New York Association of Conservation Districts • National Association of Conservation Districts

13. The New York Association of Conservation Districts (NYACD) was incorporated in 1958. • NYACD is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established to represent and provide services to New York’s 58 Conservation Districts.

14. cont… NYACD is a volunteer, grassroots organization that: • provides advocacy and representation on behalf of District programs. • works with legislators and interest groups towards the betterment of NY’s natural resource programs.  • coordinates its activities with the National Association of Conservation Districts to keep the public, Congress, U.S. Department of Agriculture and environmental interest groups aware of the nation’s natural resource needs. 

15. cont… • NYACD serves its members by providing: • timely communications and information • educational and training leadership programs • forums to discuss issues of mutual concern.

16. cont… • For the purpose of the Association, the Districts are organized into 8 Divisions by geographic region. • NYACD is governed by 8 Board members representing their Divisions, plus 6 officers, for a total of 14 members. • The NYACD State Board members are District Directors who have accepted the added responsibility of representing their Divisions.

17. National Association of Conservation Districts - NACD Formed in 1946, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD): • is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that represents nearly 3,000 Districts nationally. • maintains offices in Washington D.C. and has regional representatives. • has established a strong voice on soil, water and other natural resource concerns at the national level.

18. Other Conservation Partners Districts partner with many federal, state, local and private organizations. Traditional partners include:

19. The NYS Conservation District Employees’ Association (CDEA): • is a private organization formed by the District employees across the state. • represents the needs of approximately 300 District employees statewide. • is governed by a Board of Directors made up of 1 District employee from each of the 8 CDEA Regions, and 4 officers.

20. USDA Farm Services Agency - FSA The mission of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is to: • Stabilize farm income • Help farmers conserve land and water resources • Provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers • Help farms recover from the effects of disaster

21. Cornell Cooperative Extension - CCE Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) staff serve as another source of information, and assist Districts in demonstrations and education programs. • CCE provides local experts in agronomy, horticulture, home economics, and more. • Extension Agents are located in every county.

22. Resource Conservation & Development – RC&D RC&Ds administer grant projects for and through Conservation Districts and other groups. • There are currently 8 RC&D areas, covering most of NYS. • RC&Ds provide a multi-purpose approach to resource management.

23. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation - DEC The DEC is responsible for the management of the state’s natural resources. • DEC Divisions that Districts have the most contact with are: • Division of Lands and Forests: May assist and administer grants to Districts for forestry programs. • Division of Fish and Wildlife: May provide technical assistance to Districts for establishing improved wildlife habitat on private and public lands. • Division of Water: may provide grants and technical assistance to Districts for water quality projects.

24. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation - DEC cont… • DEC is responsible for the enforcement of many natural resource and environmental regulations including protecting wetlands and surface water quality. • DEC can provide grants to Districts to conduct Non-Point Source (NPS) pollution control programs on a watershed basis under the 319 Watershed Program and the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

25. NYS Department of State - DOS • DOS is responsible for working with communities statewide to help them make the most of their natural resources through watershed planning and Ecological Based Management (EBM). • DOS can provide watershed planning grants to towns, villages and counties. Districts may partner with eligible municipalities to carryout watershed planning efforts. • DOS can also provide grants to implement EBM projects. Districts may partner with eligible entities to carry-out these projects.

26. Other Organizations Districts interact with many organizations that can be a source of funding, resources and program support including: • Trout Unlimited • Ducks Unlimited • Land Conservancies • Wildlife Groups • Lake Associations • Foundations • Local and State Government Officials • Businesses

27. Summary • The two main state and federal agencies that assist Conservation Districts are: • New York Soil & Water Conservation Committee • assists with program support and basic operations funding • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. • provides technical support for District programs

28. Summary • The two main non-profit agencies assisting Districts are: • New York Association of Conservation Districts • represents Districts legislatively; provides educational programs, communications and information. • National Association of Conservation Districts • provides services to, and represents nearly 3,000 Districts at the national level.

29. Summary 3. Conservation Districts form partnerships with a wide variety of local and statewide groups. 4. Forming partnerships is an essential and effective way to broaden the Districts’ network and extend their ability to get conservation on the land.

30. Resources Available Information on the following District partners can be found on the web at:

31. Review Questions How do the following groups assist Districts: New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee (State Committee) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) New York Association of Conservation Districts (NYACD) National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) What other organizations do Districts traditionally partner with? In what NYACD Division is your District located? Who is your NYACD Division Representative at the state level?