Conservation Districts in New York

1. Conservation Districts in New York Training Module 1

2. 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

3. 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

4. Conservation Districts in NY 58 Conservation Districts

5. Conservation Districts in NY Section 1 Purpose of Conservation Districts • Conservation Districts: • work with landowners, organizations, and government to protect soil, water quality, and other natural resources, maintain resource productivity and protect or improve profitability Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

6. 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

7. 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

8. Conservation Districts in NY Section 2 Legally Speaking Section 1 • 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.” Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

9. 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

10. 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

11. Conservation Districts in NY Section 3 Key Activities of Districts Section 1 • Conservation Districts: • Focus attention on local land, water, and related natural resource problems • Develop and implement programs to solve natural resource problems Section 2 Section 4 Section 5

12. 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

13. 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 • Assess the progress of the District in meeting the goals of their long-range plan

14. Conservation Districts in NY Section 4 Conservation District Directors Section 1 • 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 Section 2 Section 3 Section 5

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Conservation Districts in NY Section 5 Conservation District Staff Section 1 • Role of District Staff • Responsible for the day-to-day business of the District • Maintain the District office and programs Section 2 Section 3 Section 4

19. 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

20. 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

21. Conservation Districts in NY Additional Resources