1 Orientation for Conservation District Officials and Staff

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Orientation forConservation

DistrictOfficials and Staff

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The Fundamental Purpose of

Conservation Districts

To HelpProtect, Restore, and

EnhanceNatural Resources

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Conservation Districts

Provide Services

Land occupiers are your primary customer base!

to Land Occupiers

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Conservation Districts receive programs and

funding

GENERAL FUNDEDUCATION TRUST FUND

from the Legislature

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Conservation Districts receive

Guidance and Assistance

The Conservation Committee is a state agency governed by a nine member

board of directors that provides money, services and guidance to Conservation

Districts.

From: Conservation Committee

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Conservation Districts

Are Local Governments

“A conservation district...shall constitute a governmental

subdivision of this state, and a public body corporate and

politic” (exercising public power)

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Function of the Conservation District

To take available technical, financial and educational

resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the

local land user.

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Who Do We Involve?

Land managers Organizations Businesses Local agencies State agencies Federal agencies Tribal Governments

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Code of Alabama

A conservation district organized under the provisions of this…act shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this state and a public body corporate and politic exercising public powers…and the supervisors thereof, shall have the following powers…

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POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and

Supervisors Conduct surveys, investigations and research

relating to . . . soil erosion; flood water and sediment damages; land drainage; conservation and development of soil, water, related natural resources . . . in cooperation with state and federal agencies

Conduct demonstration projects within the district . . . state lands . . . or other lands with consent of agency, occupier of lands . . . demonstrate means, measures, methods . . . conservation

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Carry out preventative and control measures and works of improvement . . . including engineering operations, methods of cultivation, growing of vegetation, drainage of land and changes in use of land and measures for the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages . . .

Cooperate, or enter into agreements with and to furnish financial or other aid to, any agency, governmental or otherwise, or any occupier of lands within the district . . . conditions as the supervisors deem necessary

POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and

Supervisors

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Prepare and keep current a comprehensive long-range program recommending the conservation of all the renewable natural resources of the district.

Prepare an annual work plan which describes the action programs, services, facilities, materials, working arrangements and estimated funds needed to carry out the parts of the long range program that are of the highest priorities.

POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and

Supervisors

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POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and

Supervisors Hold public hearings…in connection with

the preparation of programs and plans. Supplement such hearings with meetings, referenda…to determine the wishes of interested parties and the general public…

…plans, developed by each district…shall have official status as the authorized program of the district…Copies shall be made available...

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Administer any project or program concerned with the conservation of renewable natural resources located within its boundaries undertaken by any federal, state, or other public agency by entering into a contract…

Cooperate and enter into joint arrangements with other (conservation) districts.

POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and

Supervisors

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POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and

Supervisors

Accept donations, gifts, and contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise from the United States agencies or state agencies . . .

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District Supervisors... areare public officials maymay employ staff shallshall determine staff duties and

compensation maymay delegate authority shallshall provide records of all proceedings shallshall provide for an annual audit shallshall serve without compensation

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Responsibilities ofDistrict Supervisors

District Program

Education

Staff Supervision

Administration

Participation at local, state, regional and national levels

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“District Program” means...

Know local resource needs and issues Have knowledge of local, state and federal

laws and how they may affect your land occupiers

Create & approve: Long Range Plan - What do you need to

do? Annual Plan of Work - How are you

going to do it? Identify funds and technical assistance from

district, other agencies and groups

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“Education” means...

Identify groups needing information

Create messages and information to be delivered

Conduct demonstrations, workshops and public meetings

Distribute information

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“Staff Supervision” means...

Hire and supervise district employees

Establish workload priorities for employees and assisting agencies

Evaluate district employees’ performance

Create and maintain Personnel Policy Manual with the Conservation Committee

Establish training and development program for all employees

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“Administration” means...

Know powers, authorities & responsibilities

Set district policy

Manage funds, facilities and equipment

Meetings must be open to the public

Meet regularly - quorum required for any official business (3)

Enter agreements for assistance

Adopt technical guidelines and minimum standards (approval authority)

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“Participation” means...

Be diligent about attending District meetings

Represent your district in front of:

state and national associations

local, state, Tribal and federal government

land occupier groups and organizations, environmental groups and other interested citizens

Help pave the way for district employees to be successful

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Conservation District Program

Services to Land Occupiers

StateLaws

Federal Laws

How do Conservation Districts Work?

Resource Users

Resource Needs Planning

!Available Resource

s

Local Ordinanc

es

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Planning: OVERVIEW

Values = what you care about Vision = desired future condition Mission = why your organization exists Goals = achievable results Program Areas = resource concerns Annual Priorities = what is most important? Annual Plan = schedule of tasks/activities Track progress and revise = do it better

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Planning: VALUES

Values are those beliefs, aspects, or things your organization cares most deeply about

You -- board members, staff, and customers -- are the organization

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Planning: VISION

Your vision is a picture in words of the future you want to create

What do you want your district to be like in ten years?

It is about forgetting what is possible and describing your dream of the future

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Planning: MISSION

Mission is the why: Why does your district exist?

What is it about your district that is unique?

It tells people what we do

It provides purpose, gives direction, and empowers the district to perform beyond known resources

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Planning: GOALS

A goal is the result, achievement or end point you are working toward

They are smaller, specific, achievable, bite-sized chunks of the “big picture”

They move you toward achieving your vision

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What Do We Want To Accomplish?

Statements of intent

Format “By (date) we will (outcome) . . .”

For high priority critical natural resource issue develop a “statement of intent”

Discuss and record agreed-to statements (goals)

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Planning: PROGRAM AREAS

Earth/Soil: land use, agriculture, forestry, urban issues, other farm-type activities

Water: quality, quantity, flooding, wetlands

Air: quality, noise

Organisms: people, fish/wildlife, plants, and associated things like education, community, and recreation

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Discuss the critical issues

Record on a flip chart

Prioritize

Use highlight markers or sticky notes to identify critical areas on a map

Critical Natural Resource Issues

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Critical Natural Resource Issues

What natural resource issues need to be addressed

Where are the critical areas in your district?

Who are the people that need help

Decide how you will address theses needs

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Planning: ANNUAL PRIORITIES

Identify your priorities for the coming planning year

Identify the parts of your long-range program that are of highest priority

What must you do? Plan them!

What should you do? Plan them!

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Planning: ANNUAL PLAN

This can simply be a month-by-month calendar showing the activities necessary to accomplish your goals

Think of this as a list of reminders to help you keep moving toward your vision

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Planning: TRACK & REPACK

Track your progress with your month-by-month calendar

When conditions change, repackage your monthly activities into pieces you can accomplish

Periodically review and revise your values, vision, mission, goals, program areas, priorities and monthly calendar

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Locally Led Conservation

Conservation Districts can and should provide local leadership, knowledge and experience to protect natural resources

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Cooperative Assistance

Conservation Districts seek cooperative assistance from agencies, groups and individuals

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Agreements at a GlanceBasic framework for cooperation with USDA

Basic framework for state cooperation

Locally developed detailed working arrangements

Signed by:SecretaryGovernor and/or Tribal CouncilDistrict and/or Tribe

Signed by:NRCSState conservation agency and/or Tribal CouncilDistrict and/or Tribe

Signed by:NRCSDistrictOthers as deemed necessary by district

Mutual Agreement

Cooperative Working Agreement

Operational

Agreement

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YOUR Conservation District

Hub of a Big Wheel!

AlabamaConservatio

nCommittee

Alabama Association of

Conservation Districts

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation

Service(NRCS)

National Association of Conservation

Districts

CongressLegislature

Governor

Local Needs and

Programs

Federal Programs

State Programs

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Working with Others Provide technical assistance, education

activities, financial assistance

Obtain technical direction from the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide

Plan and prioritize activities with agencies

What is important to the agency staff

Understand time available for district priorities

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Associations of CDs

Individuals

Local Conservation District (5 supervisors)

Area Associations (6 areas across state)

Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (67 districts)

National Association of Conservation Districts (2943 districts)

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Are non-governmental

Are not for profit organizations

Have a combined voice

Pursue legislative and policy activity

Provide service to local districts

Associations of CDs...

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Conservation Committee Assistance

Assist in coordinating district programs statewide

Provide financial and technical assistance Assist with projects, practices, budgets,

contracts, laws and regulations, programs, plans

Disseminate information concerning activities and programs of districts

Assist districts with exercising their powers spelled out in district law

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USDA-NRCS Structure

Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources

Chief NRCS

Regional Conservationist - East (regional staff)

State Conservationist (state staff)

Asst. St. Conservationist (team)

District Conservationist (field office staff)

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How to Get the Most Out of YOUR Volunteer Time

Focus your efforts Seek new resources Take time for other district

supervisors Respect Board members and their

opinions Run efficient meetings Celebrate your District successes

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District Employees

District officials must set overall direction for district employees

All administration of employees is the responsibility of the conservation district board

One district supervisor should be the primary liaison between the board and district employees (“contact supervisor”)

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District Employee Relations

Orientation sessions should be provided to all new employees

Job descriptions should be clearly written and roles clearly understood between district employees and NRCS personnel

District officials should plan workloads with their employees and NRCS personnel

Performance reviews for employees should be done regularly

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District Staff & NRCS Staff Relations

Review Mutual Agreement and Cooperative Working Agreement between district, NRCS and others

Technical work by district employees should meet or exceed district adopted specifications

Keep an “our” rather than a “mine” attitude

If issues come up, individuals involved should be encouraged to speak with one another

District officials have a responsibility to try to resolve issues locally first

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General Discussion