Partners in Conservation Training Module 3

Partners in Conservation Purpose of Partnerships: Skills and resources needed for natural resource conservation cross organizational boundaries Durable partnerships that operate from shared information and priorities, and align partner resources advance common goals Essential and effective way to broaden networks and extend Districts’ ability to get conservation on the land

Partners in Conservation Kinds of Partnerships: Soil & Water Conservation Committee Municipal, State, and Federal agencies Non-profits Academic Community Based Organizations Business Sector Other Conservation Districts

Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Partners in Conservation Section 1 Section 2 State Committee Soil & Water Conservation District Law delegates responsibilities to the NYS SWCC Soil & Water Conservation Committee

Partners in Conservation State Committee Responsibilities Offer assistance to District directors in implementing their responsibilities Keep Districts informed of the activities of other Districts Facilitate an interchange of advice and experience between the Districts

Partners in Conservation State Committee Responsibilities Approve and coordinate the programs of all Districts Secure the cooperation and assistance of federal and state agencies to further the work of Districts Formulate policies and procedures for the extension of aid from federal or state agencies to Districts

Partners in Conservation State Committee Responsibilities Provide technical and operational assistance to Districts Administer the AEM framework and Ag NPS Programs for District implementation

Partners in Conservation State Committee Responsibilities Disseminate information throughout the state concerning the activities and programs of Districts Encourage the formation of a District in areas where their organization is desirable

Partners in Conservation State Committee Under this arrangement Districts will: Submit to the SWCC an annual report and the regular and special meeting minutes Notify the SWCC of the time and place of regular and special meetings Upon request, submit other documentation and information

Partners in Conservation State Committee Advisory Members Advisory MemberWebsite NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets (DAM) NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) NYS Dept. of Health (DOH) NYS Dept. of State (DOS) USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Cornell University (CU) SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (ESF) NYS Conservation District Employees’ Association (CDEA)

Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Partners in Conservation Section 2 Section 1 Districts work with State Agencies: For funding opportunities For technical support To share information from the local level State Agencies

Partners in Conservation State Agencies - DEC NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Manage the state’s natural resources Enforce natural resource & environmental regulations (protecting wetlands & surface water quality) Provide grants for non-point source pollution control programs on watershed basis under 319 watershed program & EPF

Partners in Conservation NYS DEC DEC Divisions Districts have most contact with: Division of Lands & Forests: assist and administer grants to Districts for forestry programs Division of Fish, Wildlife, & Marine Resources: provide technical assistance to Districts for establishing improved wildlife habitat on private/public lands Division of Water: provide grants and technical assistance to District for water quality projects

Partners in Conservation State Agencies - DOS NYS Department of State Work with communities on watershed planning and Ecological Based Management (EBM) Provide watershed planning grants to towns, villages, & counties - Districts partner with municipalities on watershed planning efforts Provide grants to implement EBM projects - Districts partner with eligible entities to carryout projects

Partners in Conservation State Agencies - SHPO NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation - State Historic Preservation Office Helps communities identify, evaluate, preserve, & revitalize their historic, archeological, & cultural resources Oversee Environmental Reviews to protect NY’s historic cultural resources from potential impacts under National & NYS Historic Preservation Acts, and State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR)

Section 2 Section 4 Section 5 Partners in Conservation Section 3 Section 1 Federal Agencies Districts may work with: USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) USDA – Farm Service Agency (FSA) USDA – Forest Service (FS) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Federal Agencies

Partners in Conservation USDA - NRCS Natural Resource Conservation Service Help implement local solutions that sustain and improve natural resources thru partnerships in planning and implementing conservation systems Offer voluntary incentive based programs for privately owned lands Cooperative Working Agreements allow Districts & NRCS to share technical services

Partners in Conservation USDA – Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Service Agency Stabilize farm income Help farmers conserve land and water resources Provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers Help farms recover from the effects of disaster Administer NYS CREP

Partners in Conservation Federal Agencies USDA Forest Service (FS) Manage national forests & provide technical & financial assistance for forestry Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Protect human health and the environment US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) Conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats

Partners in Conservation US Army Corps of Engineers USACE Development and management of water resources infrastructure Protection, restoration, and management of environmental resources Disaster response and recover Regulate activities in the nation’s waters and issue permits related to waters of the US

Section 2 Section 3 Section 5 Partners in Conservation Section 4 Section 1 Districts work with non-profits: NY Association of Conservation Districts (NYACD) National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Non-profit Organizations

Partners in Conservation NY Association of Conservation Districts NYACD Established in 1958 to represent the interests of & provide services to NY’s 58 Conservation Districts A nonprofit corporation with IRS 501(c)3 status Governed by 8 board members representing 8 Divisions by geographic regions, plus 6 officers Board members are District Directors who represent their respective regions

Partners in Conservation NY Association of Conservation Districts NYACD Provides advocacy and representation on behalf of District programs Works with legislators and interest groups towards the betterment of NY’s natural resource programs Coordinates with NACD to inform the public, Congress, & USDA of natural resource concerns Provides District’s training programs and forums to discuss issues of mutual concern

Partners in Conservation National Association of Conservation Districts NACD Established in 1946 as the voice for natural resource conservation at the national level A nonprofit corporation with IRS 501(c)3 status supported by member dues and based in Washington D.C. Represent the interests of 3,000 conservation districts in all 50 states and US territories to Congress, federal agencies, & environmental groups

Section 3 Section 1 Section 4 Partners in Conservation Section 5 Section 2 Types of other partners: Associations Academic Community Based Organizations Business Sector and Corporate Other Partners

Partners in Conservation Associations - CDEA NY Conservation District Employees Association Established in 1975 to support the employees of NY’s 58 Conservation Districts Governed by Board of Directors made up of 1 District employee from each region & 4 officers Create and foster opportunities for employee networking, professional development, and District outreach and promotion Provide representation to partners

Partners in Conservation Federation – RC&D NY Resource Conservation & Development 8 RC&D Councils across NYS Provide local leadership & coordination for projects devoted to environmental conservation, community improvement, economic development, & the wise use of natural resources Administer grant projects in collaboration with Conservation Districts and other groups

Partners in Conservation Academic Partners Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Extension Agents are located in every county Provides local experts in agronomy, horticulture, home economics, etc. Assist Districts in demonstrations, education programs, and serve as another source for technical information

Partners in Conservation Academic Partners Cornell University Research & Scientific Literature Institute for Climate Change & Agriculture - reduce Ag related impacts on the climate & help farmers be climate resilient Resources & Tools Adapt-N – nitrogen application software Cornell Soil Health Test – physical, biological, & chemical components of soil health

Partners in Conservation Community Based Organizations Districts interact with many organizations that can be a source of funding, resources, and program support including: Trout Unlimited Ducks Unlimited Nature Conservancy Wildlife Groups Lake Associations & Land Conservancies Foundations

Partners in Conservation Corporate Partners Private Businesses & Corporate Partners Provide sponsorship to District programs Donate time and materials to District projects Can bring additional resources and expertise to the table

Partners in Conservation Additional Resources Resource Available Where to Find It Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Cornell Universitywww.cornell.edu College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Ducks Unlimitedwww.ducks.org Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Local Soil & Water Conservation Districts soilandwater.org/contacts/county_offices.html Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districtswww.lhccd.net National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) NY Association of Conservation Districts (NYACD) New York Farm Bureauwww.nyfb.org NYS Conservation District Employees Association (CDEA)

Partners in Conservation Additional Resources Resource Available Where to Find It NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets (DAM) NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) NYS DEC – Division of Fish, Wildlife, & Marine Resources NYS DEC – Division of Lands & Forests NYS DEC – Division of Water NYS Dept. of Health (DOH) NYS Dept. of State (DOS) NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee (SWCC) Resource Conservation & Development Area Councils (RC&D) State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (ESF) The Nature Conservancywww.nature.org Trout Unlimitedwww.tu.org

Partners in Conservation Additional Resources Resource Available Where to Find It Upper Susquehanna Coalitionwww.u-s-c.org USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) USDA Forest Service (FS) USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) USDA Rural Development (RD) US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)