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Overview
Resource Conservation and
Development Program (RC&D) is a voluntary program that helps
people protect and develop their economic, natural, and social
resources. Program objectives address improving the quality of
life, including social, economic, and environmental concerns;
continuing prudent use of natural resources; and strengthening
local citizens’ ability to use available sources of assistance
through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other
Federal agency partnerships. The program is administered by the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in cooperation
with other USDA agencies.
How RC&D
Works
An RC&D area covers several
counties. It is locally defined and directed 501(c)3 non-profit
organization led by a Board of Directors – often called a RC&D
Council The RC&D implements natural resource protection and
wise use, accelerated economic development, and/or improvement
of social conditions. The council consists of public and private
sector sponsors and other local organizations that represent a
diverse cross section of community interests. Sponsors include
county and city governments, conservation districts, sub-state
planning or economic districts, and interested private
organizations in the area. This grassroots involvement is highly
valuable in shaping decision making at the local level. RC&D
councils provide a way for people to plan and implement projects
that will make their communities better places to live.
Projects
The RC&D
provides assistance on projects that are sponsored and approved
by its Board of Directors. This assistance may involve no-cost
technical assistance, direct funding or a fee-for-service
contract, depending on the scope of the project. Board members
and RC&D staff work closely with communities to define the needs
of the project, partnerships, potential funding and how RC&D can
help make things happen.
For more
general information on the RC&D program go to:
Natural
Resource Conservation Service
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rcd/
National
Association of RC&D
http://www.rcdnet.org/ |
