Partners
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Districts cooperate with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a federal agency addressing the conservation and wise management of natural resources (soil, water, air, plants, animals, human, and energy). Examples of assistance from NRCS include:
- reducing soil erosion, managing manure and nutrient runoff into streams and rivers
- creating or enhancing wildlife habitat for at-risk species
- improving irrigation efficiencies
- controlling invasive/exotic plant species
- reducing soil erosion, managing manure and nutrient runoff into streams and rivers
- Assisting landowners with the challenges of our changing climate
- implementing forest management practices to increase health and productivity
- improving energy efficiencies in greenhouses
- promoting renewable energy on farms by funding Farm Energy Audits and the implementation of certain energy-saving practices.
- encouraging the adoption of agronomic practices (e.g. Nutrient management planning, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) planning, cover cropping and reduced tillage, etc.)
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Division of Conservation Services
Energy and Environmental Affairs seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s environmental resources while ensuring a clean energy future for the state’s residents. Through the stewardship of open space, protection of environmental resources, and enhancement of clean energy, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.
[explain grants]
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is to help keep the Massachusetts’ food supply safe and secure, and to work to keep Massachusetts agriculture economically and environmentally sound. As part of their services, MDAR offers various grants and funding programs for agricultural projects.
National Association of Conservation Districts
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on private and public lands in the United States.
NACD’s mission is to promote the wise and responsible use of natural resources for all lands by representing locally-led conservation districts and their associations through grassroots advocacy, education and partnerships.
The association was founded on the philosophy that conservation decisions should be made at the local level with technical and funding assistance from federal, state and local governments and the private sector. As the national voice for all conservation districts, NACD supports voluntary, incentive-driven natural resource conservation programs that benefit all citizens.
NACD maintains relationships with organizations and government agencies; publishes information about districts; works with leaders in agriculture, conservation, environment, education, industry and other fields; and provides services to its districts. The association’s programs and activities aim to advance conservation led by local districts and the millions of cooperating landowners and land managers they serve.