The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCDMC) was formally incorporated in 1994 from all of the Conservation Districts that had served the different regions of Monterey County since 1942. RCDMC and our predecessor Conservation Districts were initially formed to support voluntary conservation work combining local leadership with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service financial and technical assistance. Since the mid-1990’s, RCDMC has added grant- and contract-funded professional staff to amplify and refine this service.

The RCDMC is guided by a 7-member Board of Directors who are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors to serve voluntarily and represent a broad spectrum of experience including farming, ranching, finance, and non-profit management. To support implementation of our mission, the RCDMC employs an 18-person staff with expertise including Agronomy, Botany, Civil Engineering, Ecology, Environmental Policy, Landscape Architecture, Plant Sciences and Soil Science. Our work is funded by project-based public and private grants and contracts.

 

History

In response to the national "Dust Bowl" crisis of the 1930s, when millions of acres of cropland were destroyed by drought and the devastating loss of fertile topsoil, the federal government passed legislation in 1937 to establish the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), now called the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Concern arose about whether a federal agency would be responsive to local needs, so states were asked to form Soil Conservation Districts led by local landowners serving on boards of directors to work in collaboration with and provide local input to guide the programmatic priorities of NRCS. The NRCS provides assistance to growers, ranchers and landowners only in areas with Resource Conservation Districts.

In 1938, the State of California recognized the importance of Soil Conservation Districts and authorized their formation under Article 9 of Public Resource Code. Though not governed by the state, special districts including RCDs are subject to state law concerning elections, responsibilities and legal meetings. Under Article 9, Soil Conservation Districts were originally empowered to manage soil and water resources for conservation, but these powers were expanded in the early 1970s to include "related resources," including water quality and wildlife habitat. This expansion of powers was reflected in the change of name from "Soil" Conservation Districts to "Resource" Conservation Districts in 1971.

The California Association of RCDs (CARCD) provides support and organization to the 97 RCDs in California.