SD Conservation.org

South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts
SDACD

Who are we?

We are the people you contact to learn about conservation of our natural resources and what you can do to improve our environment.

We do this because we care about being a good neighbor and leaving abundant resources for following generations.

What is a conservation district?

In South Dakota, conservation districts are a sub-division of state government. Their purpose is to coordinate assistance from all available resources--public and private, local, state, and federal--in an effort to develop locally-led solutions to natural resource concerns.

Our Mission:

We believe all Americans share in the responsibility for the stewardship of the resources upon which everyone depends.

Our Purpose:

The Association's mission is to assist, lead and coordinate conservation districts in their efforts to promote sensible, voluntary, self-governed conservation management and development of South Dakota's natural resources for ourselves and our posterity.

Our Vision:

The Association needs to remain in the forefront of conservation and to be regarded as a "leader" in the field. Areas of concern include wind and water erosion, water quality and quantity, air quality, forestry, rangeland, wildlife and recreation.

Our Guiding Principles:

We work to motivate the officials of conservation districts to full and positive leadership.
We aim to strengthen the basic American principle that the function of governments is to serve, not to dominate or control.
We seek public assistance for conservation work which is in the public interest and which landowners and land users cannot perform adequately with their own capabilities or authorities.
We help provide conservation districts with facilities and suggestions for making their objectives and democratic methods know to their communities.
We seek effective support for conservation districts wherever it may be found - in government, industry, labor, and commerce; in farm, civic and conservation organizations; among educators, publishers and clergy; and in all other segments of American Society.
We supply reliable information about the purposes and activities of conservation districts to the press, radio, and television; to national, state and local legislative bodies; to organizations and leaders concerned with these purposes and activities.
We assist public agencies concerned with the conservation, use and development of renewable natural resources to provide more effective service to the people of our state.

More About Conservation Districts

Conservation districts focus on natural resource problems and solutions. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for every South Dakotan. Districts must continually adapt to newly emerging conservation challenges.

South Dakota's conservation districts were organized over 50 years ago by vote of the people in each district. We are similar to other local units of government such as school boards or counties. Each of the state's 69 districts is governed by a board of five supervisors the public elects.

Conservation Districts help:

provide local conservation leadership, teach the value of natural resources and encourage conservation efforts
implement conservation practices that keep our air, land and water healthy and productive
conserve and restore wetlands that purify water and provide habitat for birds, fish and numerous other animals.
protect groundwater resources that provide much of South Dakota's drinking
water
plant trees and other land covers to hold soil in place, clean the air, provide cover for wildlife and beautify neighborhoods.

South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts
P O Box 515
Presho, SD 57568
(605)895-4099
(605)895-9424 FAX

P O Box 275
Pierre, SD 57501-0275

E-mail us