Partnerships

The National Conservation Partnership

The National Conservation Partnership is the dynamic relationship between federal, state, and nonprofit groups that have pledged to jointly provide national conservation leadership.

The Partnership was formalized in January 1993 when three conservation leaders signed a national agreement, pledging to work together for natural resource conservation. A fourth partner was added in 1997.

Independently, Partnership members have separate responsibilities for sustaining the environment and conserving the nation's natural resources. As partners in conservation, they speak with a unified voice and act to realize a common vision: A productive nation in harmony with a quality environment.

The National Conservation Partnership commitment involves:

• Listening and responding to customers' local resource conservation needs;
• Fostering economically viable environmental policies;
• Advocating a total natural resources approach to conservation;
• Maintaining and advocating grass roots conservation delivery systems;
• Improving quality of life for future generations;
• Involving each partner in the decision-making process

Our Partners

Partnership Members

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the federal agency that works hand-in-hand with the American people to conserve natural resources on private lands. Formerly the Soil Conservation Service, NRCS brings 60 years of scientific and technical expertise to the Partnership.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the national organization for 3,000 local conservation districts across the country. Conservation districts are local units of government responsible for the soil and water conservation work within their boundaries. The districts' role is to increase voluntary conservation practices among farmers, ranchers and other land users.

NACD and NRCS: A Partnership for Conservation (this Power Point presentation is 17.2 MB)

The National Conservation Districts Employees Association (NCDEA) is a national organization of conservation district employees who provide assistance, information and support to conservation districts, employees and their governing boards. Their objectives are to strengthen the conservation district programs in the United States and its territories, promote the professional development of conservation districts and their employees and to assist any agency, association, organization, municipality, group or individual who supports the conservation districts in the spirit of cooperation, sound conservation practices, and proper land use.

The National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA) is a coalition of state conservation agencies across the country. These agencies provide guidance and funding for conservation districts. They operate numerous state environmental, sediment control, and soil erosion prevention programs.

The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC) provides a collective voice for more than 300 local Resource Conservation and Development Councils nationwide. The NARC&DC serves as an advocate and assists local councils to identify and take action on issues and opportunities to improve the quality of life and environment in their communities. Local RC&D Councils are grass-roots community leaders working collectively on behalf of conservation and sustainable development.

Our Customers