History

Soil Conservation Districts, now known as Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), were formed in the 1930’s after the unparalleled ecological disaster known as the Dust Bowl. They were created to serve as the local liaisons between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service) and local landowners.

Division 9 of the California Public Resources Code defines the basic framework for the organization, operation, and roles and responsibilities of RCDs and the Board of Directors that govern them.

Today, RCD's continue to support farmers, ranchers, forest landowners in protecting, conserving and managing their natural resources. RCD’s work is in coordination with other local, state and federal agencies to apply a broad range of conservation practices to resource problems. To this day nearly every county in the United States is included in the boundaries of a conservation district, there are currently 97 districts in California. 

Organization of the Colusa County RCD

Originally Colusa County had two Districts that were voluntarily organized by landowners. The Stonyford Resource Conservation District (Western portion of Colusa County) was formed in 1956 and the Colusa Resource Conservation District (Eastern Colusa County) was organized in 1959. In 1996 the two separate districts merged to better serve the needs of Colusa County, becoming the Colusa County RCD (CCRCD). The District is governed by a seven-member board that is made up of local landowners and managers that are familiar with the needs and conditions of Colusa County. The Directors serve without pay and are appointed to four year terms of office by the Colusa County Board of Supervisors. The purpose of the Board is to identify resource concerns within Colusa County, representing conservation interests of rural landowners and managers. 

The purpose of the Colusa County Resource Conservation District is to provide on going technical and financial assistance, outreach and education, and conservation project management to Colusa County's farmers, ranchers, and forest landowers.  The CCRCD is a locally-led public agency of California that supports natural resource management driven by local needs. 

CCRCD’s Natural Resource Priorities:

• Conservation Planning 
• Technical Assistance
• Soil Health
• Water Quality, Quantity and Efficiency
• Wildlife Habitat Ehancement and Restoration
• Rangeland Health, Restoration and Protection
• Sustainable Agricutlure
• Environmental and Agriculture Science Education Programs