There are many ways you can support conservation work in your community. Your time and caring are of great value!
You may have a special talent or skill your conservation district can use. Contact Skagit Conservation District and ask how you can help (please see contact information at the bottom of this page).
If you would rather contribute money or materials, know that conservation districts are able to accept your gifts, per authority granted in RCW 89.08.220. Please consult with your tax advisor, because donations to local governments may be tax deductible.
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The Skagit Conservation District’s (SCD) mission is to provide voluntary incentive-based programs to support the land base while protecting and enhancing natural resources in Skagit County.
Most people agree that conservation works best when people who live and work in an area learn to take care of their own resources on a voluntary basis. Across the United States, approximately 3,000 conservation districts, organized under state law, are directed by locally elected directors or supervisors who work with local landowners and organizations to protect local natural resources. Washington State's 45 conservation districts provide a grass roots conservation delivery system that identifies local problems and provides voluntary solutions. In addition, these conservation districts provide an essential connection between landowners and government agencies to promote communication and implement technical and financial assistance programs that conserve natural resources.
Washington’s conservation districts are legal subdivisions of the state government organized under "Conservation District Law" RCW Title 89, Chapter 89.08. Conservation districts are non-regulatory bodies. Each is self-governed by a board of five volunteer supervisors, who establish its priorities and set policy. Three of the supervisors are elected public officials elected through a special public election, and two are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. Two of the five supervisors must be “landowners or operators of a farm.” Terms of office are for three years and “until a successor is appointed or elected and qualified.” There are no term limits, so supervisors may serve as long as they continue to be re-elected or reappointed. Supervisors must be residents and registered voters of the county of the conservation district they serve.
SCD staff work with private partners; county, state and federal government agencies; agricultural and environmental organizations; and other conservation districts. The SCD is funded through grants, agreements with local governments and conservation districts, an annual native plant sale, and state funding.
The SCD's priorities and goals include:
• Protection and improvement of surface and groundwater quality
• Watershed planning and implementation
• Riparian restoration and enhancement
• Forest stewardship
• Wildlife habitat enhancement
• Natural Resources education
• Protection and preservation of prime agricultural land
• Wildfire prevention and mitigation
• County government assistance
These goals are met through SCD's extensive technical assistance and public outreach programs.
Much of the technical assistance provided to landowners and cooperators consists of helping them adopt conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs). SCD technicians provide conservation planning services free of charge to cooperators who request assistance. The SCD Service Forester uses an ecosystem management approach in Forest Stewardship planning services offered to non-industrial private forestland owners.
SCD’s public outreach and education efforts include workshops on many topics including septic system maintenance, livestock management, forest management, backyard wildlife habitat, and watershed protection. SCD's education and volunteer programs include Watershed Masters, Shellfish Monitors, and Stream Team, as well as working with schools to foster the development of environmentally aware adults.
The SCD has a proven track record for putting conservation on the ground and works in the following areas:
Helping landowners plan and implement BMPs projects, which result in soil erosion reduction, sediment build-up prevention, and water quality improvement
Helping dairies achieve nutrient management standards, which can improve water quality
Assisting with logging road improvement, which results in soil erosion reduction, sediment build-up prevention, and water quality improvement
Increasing wildlife habitat on private land
Promoting the preservation of agricultural, range, and forested lands
Establishing riparian enhancement projects
Monitoring water quality in streams and rivers
Monitoring shellfish for public safety
Targeting shellfish protection by correcting nonpoint pollution
Educating local citizens about their watersheds
Providing education and technical assistance to non-industrial forest landowners
Providing federal, state and local governmental agencies with conservation leadership
Conducting fire assessments for communities subject to wildfires
Contact Information:
