the Spokane County Conservation District

The Spokane County Conservation District (SCCD) works in partnership with individuals, landowners, businesses and government to protect water resources, expand options for agricultural production, promote sustainable forestry practices, promote energy conservation, and protect wildlife habitat throughout the urban and rural areas of the Spokane region.

Conservation is in all of our hands. The concept behind Conservation Districts is that local people know best how to handle conservation problems in their areas. The emphasis for the Conservation District is on educating landowners on how to use their land and resources wisely and encourage voluntary cooperation to achieve conservation of our natural resources.

The SCCD has been active in the Spokane region since the 1940s, teaching and facilitating wise land use and sustainable practices to meet current needs while also leaving resources for the future. A substantial focus of the Conservation District is on assisting farmers in balancing agricultural and conservation goals. Even though there is still considerable agriculture production in the county, conservation work has evolved and expanded to address the pressing need for conservation of natural resources in all areas of the District, whether urban, suburban or rural.

History: The Conservation District is a subdivision of state government. The State of Washington has 47 districts, granted operating authority in 1939 under Title 89.08 of the Revised Code of Washington. In 1973, the Spokane County Conservation District was formed through the consolidation of Southwest Spokane, North Spokane, Central Spokane and Latah-Rock Creek districts.

Conservation districts were formed on a national level following the Dust Bowl of the 1930's, which brought attention to the need to conserve natural resources, particularly soil. The Soil Conservation Service, now the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was created under the Soil Conservation Act of 1935 to develop and implement soil erosion control programs. In addition, a model Conservation District law for state governments was developed in 1937 under the leadership of President Roosevelt. The goal of the program was to create local leadership to coordinate the conservation efforts of various entities and tailor them to local conditions and priorities. There are now more than 3,000 districts nation wide.

Governance: The SCCD is governed by a Board of Supervisors who establish the overall direction and priorities for District programs. Supervisors are local residents who serve voluntarily. Three members are elected by local citizens and two are appointed by the Washington Conservation Commission. While supervisors come from a variety of backgrounds, by law, at least three of the five supervisors must be landowners or farm operators. Associate Supervisors are officially appointed by the Board as advisors to broaden the Board's range of expertise. A district may recruit an unlimited number of Associate Supervisors.

Operating Principals: Nationally, conservation districts typically operate under the following general principals -

• Conservation should be led by local citizens.
• The final responsibility for conservation lies with the landowner.
• Landowners have legitimate operating goals.
• Conservation districts are responsive to both landowners and operators, and the community as a whole.
• The best agricultural land should be maintained for agriculture.

The SCCD Vision: To help protect, conserve and enhance natural resources.

The SCCD Mission: To promote the sustainable use of natural resources within Spokane County.

The SCCD Function: To take available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for conservation of soil, water and related natural resources.

To carry out its mission, the District may:

• Enter into cooperative agreements with individuals, groups or other public agencies.
• conduct surveys, research and investigation relation to the conservation of resources.
• Accept and administer gifts and grants.
• Develop soil and water conservation plans.
• Assist with or install conservation practices on private lands.
• Disseminate information and perform demonstration projects.