Partners in Conservation

Partners in Conservation Training Module 3

Partners in Conservation Partners in Conservation • Purpose of Partnerships: • Skills and resources needed for natural resource conservation cross organizational boundaries • Durable partnerships that operate from shared information and priorities, and align partner resources advance common goals • Essential and effective way to broaden networks and extend Districts’ ability to get conservation on the land

Partners in Conservation Partners in Conservation • Kinds of Partnerships: • Soil & Water Conservation Committee • Municipal, State, and Federal agencies • Non-profits • Academic • Community Based Organizations • Business Sector • Other Conservation Districts

Partners in Conservation Section 1 Soil & Water Conservation Committee State Committee Soil & Water Conservation District Law delegates responsibilities to the NYS SWCC Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

Partners in Conservation State Committee • Responsibilities • Offer assistance to District directors in implementing their responsibilities • Keep Districts informed of the activities of other Districts • Facilitate an interchange of advice and experience between the Districts

Partners in Conservation State Committee • Responsibilities • Approve and coordinate the programs of all Districts • Secure the cooperation and assistance of federal and state agencies to further the work of Districts • Formulate policies and procedures for the extension of aid from federal or state agencies to Districts

Partners in Conservation State Committee • Responsibilities • Provide technical and operational assistance to Districts • Administer the AEM framework and Ag NPS Programs for District implementation

Partners in Conservation State Committee • Responsibilities • Disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of Districts • Encourage the formation of a District in areas where their organization is desirable

Partners in Conservation State Committee • Under this arrangement Districts will: • Submit to the SWCC an annual report and the regular and special meeting minutes • Notify the SWCC of the time and place of regular and special meetings • Upon request, submit other documentation and information

Partners in Conservation State Committee Advisory Members

Partners in Conservation Section 2 State Agencies Section 1 • Districts work with State Agencies: • For funding opportunities • For technical support • To share information from the local level Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

Partners in Conservation State Agencies - DEC • NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation • Manage the state’s natural resources • Enforce natural resource & environmental regulations (protecting wetlands & surface water quality) • Provide grants for non-point source pollution control programs on watershed basis under 319 watershed program & EPF

Partners in Conservation NYS DEC • DEC Divisions Districts have most contact with: • Division of Lands &Forests: assist and administer grants to Districts for forestry programs • Division of Fish, Wildlife, & Marine Resources: provide technical assistance to Districts for establishing improved wildlife habitat on private/public lands • Division of Water: provide grants and technical assistance to District for water quality projects

Partners in Conservation State Agencies - DOS • NYS Department of State • Work with communities on watershed planning and Ecological Based Management (EBM) • Provide watershed planning grants to towns, villages, & counties - Districts partner with municipalities on watershed planning efforts • Provide grants to implement EBM projects - Districts partner with eligible entities to carryout projects

Partners in Conservation State Agencies - SHPO • NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation - State Historic Preservation Office • Helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve, & revitalize their historic, archeological, & cultural resources • Oversee Environmental Reviews to protect NY’s historic cultural resources from potential impacts under National & NYS Historic Preservation Acts, and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)

Partners in Conservation Section 3 Federal Agencies Section 1 • Federal Agencies Districts may work with: • USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) • USDA – Farm Service Agency (FSA) • USDA – Forest Service (FS) • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) • US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 2 Section 4 Section 5

Partners in Conservation USDA - NRCS • Natural Resource Conservation Service • Help implement local solutions that sustain and improve natural resources thru partnerships in planning and implementing conservation systems • Offer voluntary incentive based programs for privately owned lands • Cooperative Working Agreements allow Districts & NRCS to share technical services

Partners in Conservation USDA – Farm Service Agency (FSA) • Farm Service Agency • 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 • Administer NYS CREP

Partners in Conservation Federal Agencies • USDA Forest Service (FS) • Manage national forests & provide technical & financial assistance for forestry • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Protect human health and the environment • US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) • Conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats

Partners in Conservation US Army Corps of Engineers • USACE • Development and management of water resources infrastructure • Protection, restoration, and management of environmental resources • Disaster response and recover • Regulate activities in the nation’s waters and issue permits related to waters of the US

Partners in Conservation Section 4 Non-profit Organizations Section 1 • Districts work with non-profits: • NY Association of Conservation Districts (NYACD) • National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Section 2 Section 3 Section 5

Partners in Conservation NY Association of Conservation Districts • NYACD • Established in 1958 to represent the interests of & provide services to NY’s 58 Conservation Districts • A nonprofit corporation with IRS 501(c)3 status • Governed by 8 board members representing 8 Divisions by geographic regions, plus 6 officers • Board members are District Directors who represent their respective regions

Partners in Conservation NY Association of Conservation Districts • NYACD • 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 with NACD to inform the public, Congress, & USDA of natural resource concerns • Provides District’s training programs and forums to discuss issues of mutual concern

Partners in Conservation National Association of Conservation Districts • NACD • Established in 1946 as the voice for natural resource conservation at the national level • A nonprofit corporation with IRS 501(c)3 status supported by member dues and based in Washington D.C. • Represent the interests of 3,000 conservation districts in all 50 states and US territories to Congress, federal agencies, & environmental groups

Partners in Conservation Section 5 Other Partners Section 1 Types of other partners: Associations Academic Community Based Organizations Business Sector and Corporate Section 2 Section 3 Section 4

Partners in Conservation Associations - CDEA • NY Conservation District Employees Association • Established in 1975 to support the employees of NY’s 58 Conservation Districts • Governed by Board of Directors made up of 1 District employee from each region & 4 officers • Create and foster opportunities for employee networking, professional development, and District outreach and promotion • Provide representation to partners

Partners in Conservation Federation – RC&D • NY Resource Conservation & Development • 8 RC&D Councils across NYS • Provide local leadership & coordination for projects devoted to environmental conservation, community improvement, economic development, & the wise use of natural resources • Administer grant projects in collaboration with Conservation Districts and other groups

Partners in Conservation Academic Partners • Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) • Extension Agents are located in every county • Provides local experts in agronomy, horticulture, home economics, etc. • Assist Districts in demonstrations, education programs, and serve as another source for technical information

Partners in Conservation Academic Partners • Cornell University • Research & Scientific Literature • Institute for Climate Change & Agriculture - reduce Ag related impacts on the climate & help farmers be climate resilient • Resources & Tools • Adapt-N – nitrogen application software • Cornell Soil Health Test – physical, biological, & chemical components of soil health

Partners in Conservation Community Based Organizations • Districts interact with many organizations that can be a source of funding, resources, and program support including: • Trout Unlimited • Ducks Unlimited • Nature Conservancy • Wildlife Groups • Lake Associations & Land Conservancies • Foundations

Partners in Conservation Corporate Partners • Private Businesses & Corporate Partners • Provide sponsorship to District programs • Donate time and materials to District projects • Can bring additional resources and expertise to the table

Partners in Conservation Additional Resources

Partners in Conservation