National Association of Conservation Districts

Locally Led in Developing Areas

Conservation districts bring multiple and unique strengths to their natural resource management services, including the locally led process. Not to be confused with their Local Work Group responsibilities in the Farm Bill, the locally led process is districts’ broader outreach and connection within their jurisdictions. This process is particularly important for the many districts experiencing landscape and clientele changes due to growth and development. There are typically a wide array of natural resource concerns in these areas and just as many entities seeking solutions.

In order to successfully address conservation concerns in more populated environments, conservation districts need to know which issues are viewed as most important and which agencies and organizations are responsible. Gathering the input is a critical first step, and can be done while sharing the abilities of the district. From this information, districts can identify and prioritize the needs, set their goals, gather resources and begin implementation. The results are evaluated, with goals and actions continually evolving based on progress and additional input.

District Showcases

• Ada SWCD, ID
  The article linked above, "Locally Led in Developing Areas," from the July/August 2007 issue of NACD's News & Views reviews the suggested steps of Locally Led and demonstrates them through the actions of the Ada SWCD in the quickly growing metro area of Boise, Idaho.


• Westmoreland CD, PA
  In addition to its technical services, the District has focused many of its energies on education and outreach, including creating a number of citizens advisory committees to help ensure that the District’s programs and services are relevant to the public’s needs.


• Dakota SWCD, MN
  The Dakota County SWCD conducted a survey of partnering organizations regarding their programs and services. Survey participants included city and county staff, local officials, technical agency staff, non-profit organizations, and various other groups. The survey is described on page 8 of the District's Spring/Summer 2008 newsletter.

Resources

• Survive or Thrive (PDF, 4.20MB) - Presentation given by Scott Koberg, Ada SWCD, Meridian, Idaho, at the 2008 NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, NV.


• Locally Led Collaboration: Alliances and Partnerships in Conservation (PDF, 951KB) - Presentation given by Barbara Perlman-Whyman, Nevada Tahoe Conservation District, Nevada, at the 2008 NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, NV.


• Working with Committees: Locally Led in Developing Areas (PDF, 1MB) - Presentation given by Ronald Rohall and James Pillsbury, Westmoreland Conservation District, PA, at the 2008 NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, NV.


• NRCS Social Sciences - Publications and tools on various aspects of locally led are available from the NRCS Social Sciences Team.

Training

• Locally Led Conservation Self Evaluation Tool and Training Modules by NRCS Social Sciences Team
  Self-scoring evaluation that asks respondents about elements of the locally led planning process. The same elements are addressed in a series of training modules that can help people build these skills.