Partnerships expand conservation on the land.
Individually the federal, state, and nonprofit groups that comprise our conservation partnerships have a diversity of expertise in discipline, location/area, and focus.
Partnership Members
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the federal agency that works hand-in-hand with the American people to conserve natural resources on private lands. Formerly the Soil Conservation Service, NRCS brings 60 years of scientific and technical expertise to the Partnership.
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the national organization for 3,000 local conservation districts across the country. Conservation districts are local units of government responsible for the soil and water conservation work within their boundaries. The districts' role is to increase voluntary conservation practices among farmers, ranchers and other land users.
The National Conservation Districts Employees Association (NCDEA)
The National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA): coalition of state conservation agencies that provide guidance and funding for conservation districts. They operate numerous state environmental, sediment control, and soil erosion prevention programs.
The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC) provides a collective voice for more than 300 local Resource Conservation and Development Councils nationwide. The NARC&DC serves as an advocate and assists local councils to identify and take action on issues and opportunities to improve the quality of life and environment in their communities. Local RC&D Councils are grass-roots community leaders working collectively on behalf of conservation and sustainable development.
Joint Forestry Team The Joint Forestry Team (JFT) was chartered in November, 2007, by NRCS, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), and the USDA Forest Service (FS) to make recommendations that result in coordinated interagency delivery of forestry and conservation assistance for working forests, farms, and ranches. In September, 2008, the Chiefs of NRCS and FS and the Presidents of NASF and NACD approved the "joint forestry team" memorandum of understanding, which describes each organization's role and responsibilities and the actions that will be undertaken, both jointly and individually, to improve the delivery of forestry-related conservation assistance to private landowners.
Restore America Estuaries USDA-NRCS recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Restore America Estuaries that will set the stage for activities designed to maintain and enhance coastal, estuarine and marine habitats and associated species.
Types of Partners
Conservation districts | Local communities | State and federal agencies | NRCS Earth Team volunteers | Agricultural and environmental groups | Conservation Districts Employees | Professional societies
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils | Universities
Our Customers
Farmers and Ranchers | Other land decision makers | Other federal agencies | Local and State governments | Resource Conservation and Developmental Councils | Rural and urban communities | Water management groups | Other individuals, groups, and associations | Every water user and consumer in the US