About

What are Conservation Districts?

“The Nation that destroys its soil destroys itself” was the warning issued in 1937 by President Roosevelt when he signed legislation authorizing the creation of local Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the country. At that time, the nation was facing a monumental task of protecting our soil and water from the ravages of improper use that resulted in the “Dust Bowl” era.

Today, our nation is facing multiple monumental tasks: Reducing nonpoint source pollution, adapting to a changing climate, mitigating soil and water pollutants, and planning for the future.

Maine districts are subdivisions of state government (Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry) run by locally elected and appointed volunteers who work to solve local natural resource problems. Soil and Water Conservation Districts reach out to all local stakeholders in the community to determine priorities and set a course of action to solve natural resource problems.

Districts provide local conservation leadership, teach the value of natural resources, encourage conservation efforts, and help plan and implement voluntary programs. Each District program is different and unique to the area that it serves, because the programs are developed by local people to solve local problems.

Benefits of District Programs

  • Help solve statewide problems by providing local solutions to many local natural resource problems

  • Develop local leadership

  • Provide local hands-on training on natural resource issues

  • Teach the value of natural resources directly to local people

  • Provide voluntary technical assistance to land users

  • Technical assistance and education help prevent and reduce polluted runoff

  • Technical assistance helps protect drinking water supplies

  • Technical assistance helps landowners to better manage their forests

  • Programs bring in outside money that is spent locally

  • Technical assistance and education helps keep the rural character of Maine

About Maine Association of Conservation Districts

The Maine Association of Conservation Districts is the statewide voice of Maine’s 16 local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. By working with landowners, nonprofit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments, Districts have helped to protect our soil, water, forests, wildlife, and other natural resources for over 60 years.

Our mission is to strengthen our member Districts public visibility, awareness of governmental activities, and technical and financial capacity in pursuit of natural resources conservation and food and fiber production.

MACD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All donations are tax-deductible. MACD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.