What is RC&D?

"RC&D" is short for Resource Conservation and Development, a unique process that helps people protect and develop their economic, natural, and social resources in ways that improve their area's economy, environment, and quality of life. Local RC&D Councils provide ways for people to plan and implement projects that will make their communities a better place to live. They bring together people, needs, concerns, opportunities, and solutions.

RC&D areas were established in the Agriculture Act of 1962 to provide a program that empowers rural people to help themselves. The focus on local direction and control has made RC&D one of the most successful rural development programs of the federal government.

How many RC&D areas are in Alabama?

Nine authorized RC&D areas cover the whole state. They are:

• Ala-Tom: Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Marengo, Monroe, Perry, Washington, and Wilcox Counties
• CAWACO: Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties
• Coosa Valley: Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega, and Tallapoosa Counties
• Gulf Coast: Baldwin, Escambia, and Mobile Counties.
• Mid-South: Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Elmore, Macon, Montgomery, and Lowndes Counties
• Northwest: Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Marion, and Winston Counties
• Alabama Mountains, Rivers, and Valleys (formerly Tennessee Valley): Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan Counties
• Tombigbee: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter, and Tuscaloosa Counties
• Wiregrass: Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Pike, and Russell Counties.

Can anyone be involved in RC&D?

Yes! ANYONE...

• who believes that one person can make a difference.
• who wants to be involved in making things happen in their community, county, region or state.
• who wants to see natural resources used without adversely affecting the environment.
• who wants to improve the quality of life in their community.

Your local RC&D offers many opportunities for involvement and making things happen. It doesn't matter if you live in the city or the country; or if you are a business owner or a housewife; there's always a place for you in RC&D. They are constantly seeking private citizens, businesses, and organizations to become members of committees or to participate in planning projects, identifying priorities, or just helping with one activity.

If you are presently involved in a community project, seek out the RC&D Council in your project area. They may be able to provide you with technical assistance or funding, or can put you in touch with private and public organizations that can help you reach your goals. Consider working through your local RC&D Council when starting new projects in your community or region.

How Is An RC&D Organized?

An RC&D area covers several counties. RC&D areas include adjacent counties that have substantial natural resources to use for economic improvement and community betterment. Sponsors apply to the USDA Secretary of Agriculture for authorization. Once authorized, the USDA is committed to providing both financial and technical assistance.

RC&D areas can increase or decrease in size. New counties may join or charter counties may decide to go with other RC&D areas. USDA must approve requests for expansion.

Who are RC&D Sponsors?

The local County Commission and the Soil and Water Conservation District's (SWCD's) Board sponsor each RC&D Council locally and voluntarily in each county. Sponsors can also include cities and towns, townships, civic organizations, regional planning bodies, local non-profit organizations, Indian tribal bodies, and others.

Sponsors are active in RC&D and appoint qualified representatives to serve on the Council to represent their interests. Sponsors provide input into the Council's plan of work through their representative.

What is a RC&D Council?

RC&D Councils in Alabama are non-profit, tax-exempt organizations within the state that are designated 501(c)(3) entities by the Internal Revenue Service. This standing makes them eligible to secure grant funds from private foundations and others, to receive private individual donations, to become holders of property, etc., as allowed by their by-laws.

RC&D Councils are made up of people just like you, who want a better life for themselves, their children, and future generations. RC&D Council representatives and alternates are volunteers who assist the RC&D.

Each RC&D Council operates independently, addressing the concerns and problems within their individual RC&D area. However, RC&Ds are more than willing to share ideas and information to keep others from reinventing the wheel.

Do RC&Ds Receive Funding?

An authorized RC&D receives funding from the USDA through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS provides for a full-time coordinator to work with the Council to identify problems, establish goals and objectives, build strategies, and implement plans. They also provide a part-time assistant, office space, some equipment and supplies, and a government vehicle for the staff.

Other sources of funding and operating expenses come from:

• grants
• workshop registration fees
• selling publications/materials
• fundraisers
• private foundations
• endowment funds
• Sponsor or member dues
• In-dollar, in-kind (technical and labor) assistance is also received from NRCS and other USDA agencies; SWCDs , the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), and others.

What type of assistance does RC&D provide to a project?

RC&Ds identify agencies or organizations that can assist in completing each step of a project plan, serves as sources of technical assistance, and provides financial resources, if needed, and as possible. RC&D areas s provide the vehicle for achieving a goal and completing projects. However, a project is not an "RC&D project" in the sense that an RC&D Council does everything. Local leadership and support are key elements for any successful project.

Types of assistance available include:

The amount and kind of assistance depends on the type of project and the local Council's wishes.

What can RC&Ds do that other organizations can't?

Within an RC&D area, you can do anything the local people want to do, as long as it fits within the Council's long range plans and goals for the area. For example, an RC&D Council can:

RC&Ds are not entities of government; therefore, the usual policies and constraints of local, state, and federal government programs do not limit them in the kinds of issues they decide to address or how they decide to do it. Local people on the Council determine the types of concerns, projects, and activities in which they will become involved. RC&Ds lean towards projects that have not (or cannot) be addressed by other entities such as their Conservation Partners (SWCD, NRCS, etc.).

RC&Ds in Alabama depends on the leadership abilities and unique skills within the communities it serves. That is why so many worthwhile projects have been undertaken and accomplished throughout the state. The RC&D  Councils in Alabama are proud of their accomplishments; but there is much yet that can be done to make our communities a better place to live. 

Alabama RC&D Annual Reports

The following Annual Reports documents accomplishments of the individual RC&D Councils in Alabama.

These documents require Adobe Acrobat.  

2006 Annual Report (2 MB)
2005 Annual Report (1.6 MB)
2004 Annual Report (1.4 MB)
2003 Annual Report (720 KB)
2002 Annual Report (720 KB)
2001 Annual Report (720 KB)

For more information about RC&Ds, or if would you like to get involved, contact the RC&D Council in your area of concern or contact the USDA-NRCS State Office, Auburn, Alabama, Phone: 334-887-4500.

RC&D Links 

These links will open in a new window.

• National NRCS RC&D Program Information 
• National RC&D Council

Last Modified: 07/19/2007

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