Conservation Districts ...

Over 50 years ago state legislators recognized the need to support grassroots conservation efforts. As a result, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law was passed authorizing the creation of Conservation Districts. Today there is a conservation district established in every Virginia county, except Arlington.

Virginia's Conservation Districts are "political subdivisions of State Government", that utilize state, federal and private sector resources to solve today's conservation problems. The guiding philosophy of all Conservation Districts is that decisions on conservation issues should be made at the local level, by local people, with technical assistance provided by government.

Each conservation district is led by a Board of Directors made up of local people from all walks of life. These elected/appointed members study local natural resource issues and make decisions which enhance and protect their community.

Created to serve as stewards of natural resources, Virginia's Conservation Districts take an ecosystem approach to conservation and protection. Their vision is to help all citizens of their District to have livable communities in harmony with the environment. They have a special role in urban and non-urban areas where land use change is taking place. With 330 conservation district directors and more than 150 full and part-time employees, districts are a valuable delivery system for Virginia's statewide nonpoint source management program.

Key District Programs:

• Implementation of the Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Assistance Program: With State funding and oversight, districts target more than $1 million annually to address significant agricultural water quality problems in high priority watersheds.
• Local assistance with delivery of E&S control ordinances: District staffs fulfill established roles between local governments and districts as they cooperatively implement ordinances that control sediment from predominantly urban construction and development.
• Conservation planning assistance and plan approval of farm plans for the USDA/NRCS Farm Bill, in accordance with federal, state and local requirements. Districts coordinate and deliver services that support implementation of county ordinances including agricultural provisions of local Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act ordinances and assisting with implementation of Virginia's Agricultural Stewardship Act.
• Districts lend technical expertise for design and installation of farm conservation practices implemented voluntarily by Virginia farmers.
• The education of clients through field days, public meetings and classroom programs.
• Contact your local district office