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Our Vision: RC&D Partnerships Serving America's
Communities.
Our Mission: The National Association of Resource
Conservation and Development Councils serves as an advocate for
local Councils. We assist local Councils to identify, address and
solve challenges to sustain and improve quality of life in their own
communities.
Over 40 years ago, Congress established a unique program within
the U.S. Department of Agriculture that empowered rural people to
help themselves. The USDA focus was to assist local people by
providing tools and technical support to stabilize and grow their
own communities while protecting and developing natural resources.
To carry out the RC&D concept, diverse groups of local volunteers
(The RC&D Council) are brought together in a unique partnership to
find solutions to their problems. Local people are best able to
determine needs and create solutions for their Community. The focus
on local direction and control has made RC&D one of the most
successful rural development programs of the Federal Government. The
focus of the program provides for the sustainability of local
economies and resources.
The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development
Councils (NARC&DC) was established in 1988 to represent America's
375 local Resource Conservation and Development Councils. The local
councils deliver coordinated resource conservation and rural
development assistance throughout rural America. By working together
on local RC&D Councils; communities, all levels of Government, and
grassroots organizations work together to develop and implement
solutions to widespread problems and to develop opportunities that
will help sustain rural communities, local economies, and natural
resources.
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RC&D Councils
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils play an
important role in the conservation, development, and utilization of
natural resources. RC&D Councils work to improve the general level
of economic activity and to enhance the environment and standard of
living in all communities. Councils provide a system of rural
development to encourage the wise use of natural resources, and
improve the quality of life in America.
Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of
engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging
limited federal dollars.
Councils provide a focal point of local leadership and bring
together private citizens and local, state and federal agencies to
improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of their
area.
RC&D Councils have proven ability and strength of leadership to
engage and accomplish projects from the local to the national level.
The USDA Secretary of Agriculture has designated 375 RC&D Areas.
Designated RC&D Areas serve 85% of U.S. counties. Currently 25 more
areas have pending applications to become a designated RC&D area.
The average RC&D Area covers 7 counties and the average RC&D
Council has 14 sponsors. Nearly half of the Councils members are
locally elected officials such as mayors, judges, or commissioners.
All Council members serve as volunteers.
RC&D activates community support for over 180 million people in
2,614 counties in all 50 states, the Caribbean and the Pacific
Basin.
RC&D Councils successfully leveraged the RC&D appropriation 8 to
1 to directly support conservation and economic development in local
communities across the nation.
All RC&D Councils have Area Plans defining their goals and
objectives. Councils serve as a conduit for USDA Programs that
assist in Area Plan implementation.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides a
full-time coordinator for each authorized RC&D Council.
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RC&D Program
The RC&D program, first authorized by the Food and Agriculture
Act of 1962, P. L. 87-703, received permanent authorization as part
of the 2002 Farm Bill. The Natural Resources Conservation Service
administers the program.
The purpose of the RC&D program is to encourage and improve the
capability of volunteer, locally elected, and civic leaders in
designated RC&D areas to plan and carry out projects for resource
conservation and community development.
Projects relate to the following four areas:
(1) Land Conservation (3) Land Management
(2) Community Development (4) Water Management
The RC&D program helps people care for natural resources and
improve the quality of life in their communities. The RC&D Council
(volunteers representing public and private sector sponsors and
other local organizations) undertake community driven actions that
are strategically focused on regional resource conservation and
economic viability. RC&D priorities are set by area residents to
meet their needs.
More than 32,000 volunteers are serving on and with RC&D
councils. On average, RC&D volunteers donate over 100,000 days per
year. To date, 375 areas across the Nation including Guam, American
Samoa, Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands have been
designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as RC&D areas. They serve
more than 85 percent (2,666) of U.S. counties and over 77 percent of
the U.S. population. There are 25 Councils waiting for USDA
designation.
These Councils have been very effective in obtaining external
funds, bringing in over $333 million to implement projects in their
communities.
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RC&D Making Things
Happen!
Accessibility,
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