1. 1 Orientation for Conservation District Officials and Staff

2. 2 The Fundamental Purpose of Conservation Districts To Help Protect, Restore, and Enhance Natural Resources

3. 3 Conservation Districts Provide Services Land occupiers are your primary customer base! to Land Occupiers

4. 4 Conservation Districts receive programs and funding GENERAL FUND EDUCATION TRUST FUND from the Legislature

5. 5 Conservation Districts receive Guidance and Assistance The Conservation Committee is a state agency governed by a nine member board of directors that provides money, services and guidance to Conservation Districts. From: Conservation Committee

6. 6 Conservation Districts Are Local Governments “A conservation district...shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this state, and a public body corporate and politic” (exercising public power)

7. 7 Function of the Conservation District To take available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user.

8. 8 Who Do We Involve? u Land managers u Organizations u Businesses u Local agencies u State agencies u Federal agencies u Tribal Governments

9. 9 Code of Alabama A conservation district organized under the provisions of this…act shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this state and a public body corporate and politic exercising public powers…and the supervisors thereof, shall have the following powers…

10. 10 POWERS and DUTIES: Conservation District and Supervisors u Conduct surveys, investigations and research relating to... soil erosion; flood water and sediment damages; land drainage; conservation and development of soil, water, related natural resources... in cooperation with state and federal agencies u Conduct demonstration projects within the district... state lands... or other lands with consent of agency, occupier of lands... demonstrate means, measures, methods... conservation

11. 11 u Carry out preventative and control measures and works of improvement... including engineering operations, methods of cultivation, growing of vegetation, drainage of land and changes in use of land and measures for the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages... u Cooperate, or enter into agreements with and to furnish financial or other aid to, any agency, governmental or otherwise, or any occupier of lands within the district... conditions as the supervisors deem necessary POWERS and DUTIES: Conservation District and Supervisors

12. 12 u Prepare and keep current a comprehensive long-range program recommending the conservation of all the renewable natural resources of the district. u Prepare an annual work plan which describes the action programs, services, facilities, materials, working arrangements and estimated funds needed to carry out the parts of the long range program that are of the highest priorities. POWERS and DUTIES: Conservation District and Supervisors

13. 13 POWERS and DUTIES: Conservation District and Supervisors u Hold public hearings…in connection with the preparation of programs and plans. Supplement such hearings with meetings, referenda…to determine the wishes of interested parties and the general public… u …plans, developed by each district…shall have official status as the authorized program of the district…Copies shall be made available...

14. 14 u Administer any project or program concerned with the conservation of renewable natural resources located within its boundaries undertaken by any federal, state, or other public agency by entering into a contract… u Cooperate and enter into joint arrangements with other (conservation) districts. POWERS and DUTIES: Conservation District and Supervisors

15. 15 POWERS and DUTIES: Conservation District and Supervisors u Accept donations, gifts, and contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise from the United States agencies or state agencies...

16. 16 District Supervisors... u are u are public officials u may u may employ staff u shall u shall determine staff duties and compensation u may u may delegate authority u shall u shall provide records of all proceedings u shall u shall provide for an annual audit u shall u shall serve without compensation

17. 17 Responsibilities of District Supervisors u District Program u Education u Staff Supervision u Administration u Participation at local, state, regional and national levels

18. 18 “District Program” means... u Know local resource needs and issues u Have knowledge of local, state and federal laws and how they may affect your land occupiers u Create & approve: l Long Range Plan - What do you need to do? l Annual Plan of Work - How are you going to do it? u Identify funds and technical assistance from district, other agencies and groups

19. 19 “Education” means... u Identify groups needing information u Create messages and information to be delivered u Conduct demonstrations, workshops and public meetings u Distribute information

20. 20 “Staff Supervision” means... u Hire and supervise district employees u Establish workload priorities for employees and assisting agencies u Evaluate district employees’ performance u Create and maintain Personnel Policy Manual with the Conservation Committee u Establish training and development program for all employees

21. 21 “Administration” means... u Know powers, authorities & responsibilities u Set district policy u Manage funds, facilities and equipment u Meetings must be open to the public u Meet regularly - quorum required for any official business (3) u Enter agreements for assistance u Adopt technical guidelines and minimum standards (approval authority)

22. 22 “Participation” means... u Be diligent about attending District meetings u Represent your district in front of: l state and national associations l local, state, Tribal and federal government l land occupier groups and organizations, environmental groups and other interested citizens u Help pave the way for district employees to be successful

23. 23 Conservation District Program Services to Land Occupiers State Laws Federal Laws How do Conservation Districts Work? Resource Users Resource Needs Planning! Available Resources Local Ordinances

24. 24 Planning: OVERVIEW u Values = what you care about u Vision = desired future condition u Mission = why your organization exists u Goals = achievable results u Program Areas = resource concerns u Annual Priorities = what is most important? u Annual Plan = schedule of tasks/activities u Track progress and revise = do it better

25. 25 Planning: VALUES u Values are those beliefs, aspects, or things your organization cares most deeply about u You -- board members, staff, and customers -- are the organization

26. 26 Planning: VISION u Your vision is a picture in words of the future you want to create u What do you want your district to be like in ten years? u It is about forgetting what is possible and describing your dream of the future

27. 27 Planning: MISSION u Mission is the why: l Why does your district exist? l What is it about your district that is unique? u It tells people what we do u It provides purpose, gives direction, and empowers the district to perform beyond known resources

28. 28 Planning: GOALS u A goal is the result, achievement or end point you are working toward u They are smaller, specific, achievable, bite- sized chunks of the “big picture” u They move you toward achieving your vision

29. 29 What Do We Want To Accomplish? u Statements of intent u Format “By (date) we will (outcome)...” u For high priority critical natural resource issue develop a “statement of intent” u Discuss and record agreed-to statements (goals)

30. 30 Planning: PROGRAM AREAS u Earth/Soil: land use, agriculture, forestry, urban issues, other farm-type activities u Water: quality, quantity, flooding, wetlands u Air: quality, noise u Organisms: people, fish/wildlife, plants, and associated things like education, community, and recreation

31. 31 u Discuss the critical issues u Record on a flip chart u Prioritize u Use highlight markers or sticky notes to identify critical areas on a map Critical Natural Resource Issues

32. 32 Critical Natural Resource Issues u What natural resource issues need to be addressed u Where are the critical areas in your district? u Who are the people that need help u Decide how you will address theses needs

33. 33 Planning: ANNUAL PRIORITIES u Identify your priorities for the coming planning year u Identify the parts of your long-range program that are of highest priority u What must you do? Plan them! u What should you do? Plan them!

34. 34 Planning: ANNUAL PLAN u This can simply be a month-by-month calendar showing the activities necessary to accomplish your goals u Think of this as a list of reminders to help you keep moving toward your vision

35. 35 Planning: TRACK & REPACK u Track your progress with your month-by- month calendar u When conditions change, repackage your monthly activities into pieces you can accomplish u Periodically review and revise your values, vision, mission, goals, program areas, priorities and monthly calendar

36. 36 Locally Led Conservation u Conservation Districts can and should provide local leadership, knowledge and experience to protect natural resources

37. 37 Cooperative Assistance u Conservation Districts seek cooperative assistance from agencies, groups and individuals

38. 38 Agreements at a Glance Basic framework for cooperation with USDA Basic framework for state cooperation Locally developed detailed working arrangements Signed by: äSecretary äGovernor and/or Tribal Council äDistrict and/or Tribe Signed by: äNRCS äState conservation agency and/or Tribal Council äDistrict and/or Tribe Signed by: äNRCS äDistrict äOthers as deemed necessary by district Mutual Agreement Cooperative Working Agreement Operational Agreement

39. 39 YOUR Conservation District Hub of a Big Wheel! Alabama Conservation Committee Alabama Association of Conservation Districts USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) National Association of Conservation Districts Congress LegislatureGovernor Local Needs and Programs Federal Programs State Programs

40. 40 Working with Others u Provide technical assistance, education activities, financial assistance u Obtain technical direction from the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide u Plan and prioritize activities with agencies u What is important to the agency staff u Understand time available for district priorities

41. 41 Associations of CDs Individuals Local Conservation District (5 supervisors) Area Associations (6 areas across state) Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (67 districts) National Association of Conservation Districts (2943 districts)

42. 42 u Are non-governmental u Are not for profit organizations u Have a combined voice u Pursue legislative and policy activity u Provide service to local districts Associations of CDs...

43. 43 Conservation Committee Assistance u Assist in coordinating district programs statewide u Provide financial and technical assistance u Assist with projects, practices, budgets, contracts, laws and regulations, programs, plans u Disseminate information concerning activities and programs of districts u Assist districts with exercising their powers spelled out in district law

44. 44 USDA-NRCS Structure Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources Chief NRCS Regional Conservationist - East (regional staff) State Conservationist (state staff) Asst. St. Conservationist (team) District Conservationist (field office staff)

45. 45 How to Get the Most Out of YOUR Volunteer Time u Focus your efforts u Seek new resources u Take time for other district supervisors u Respect Board members and their opinions u Run efficient meetings u Celebrate your District successes

46. 46 District Employees u District officials must set overall direction for district employees u All administration of employees is the responsibility of the conservation district board u One district supervisor should be the primary liaison between the board and district employees (“contact supervisor”)

47. 47 District Employee Relations u Orientation sessions should be provided to all new employees u Job descriptions should be clearly written and roles clearly understood between district employees and NRCS personnel u District officials should plan workloads with their employees and NRCS personnel u Performance reviews for employees should be done regularly

48. 48 District Staff & NRCS Staff Relations u Review Mutual Agreement and Cooperative Working Agreement between district, NRCS and others u Technical work by district employees should meet or exceed district adopted specifications u Keep an “our” rather than a “mine” attitude u If issues come up, individuals involved should be encouraged to speak with one another u District officials have a responsibility to try to resolve issues locally first

49. 49 General Discussion