The Role of Resource Conservation and Development Councils
Established through the Agriculture Act of 1962, the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program was created to help rural and regional communities strengthen their economies while conserving natural resources. The program supports local employment and income opportunities that promote environmental stewardship. These goals are carried out through locally governed RC&D councils that serve multi-county regions sharing common natural resource challenges and economic priorities. RC&D councils operate today as independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, working collaboratively with public and private partners to advance conservation and community development efforts.
Each RC&D Council is led by volunteers and civic leaders from the region and serves as a governing and action-oriented board, guiding community-driven planning and project implementation. Today, RC&D councils exist nationwide, collectively serving approximately 85 percent of U.S. counties. They steward both the natural and human assets of their regions by focusing on:
- Conservation of natural resources
- Economic development
- Quality of life for local communities
RC&D Councils are designed to ensure that conservation and development efforts are locally identified, locally led, and locally implemented. Select each flipcard to see examples of the work councils perform:
Identify local priorities
Develop regional (multi-county) plans
Drive collaboration
Secure funding
Coordinate technical assistance
Implement on-the-ground projects
RC&D Council Showcase
The videos below showcase the work of an RC&D Council. Watch each to see how RC&Ds work in action!
Western Maryland RC&D's Reforestation Project
Prairie Hills RC&D Council Bird Sanctuary
Lumberjack RC&D Council Highlight
At the national level, the efforts of RC&D Councils are supported by the National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils (NARCDC), an NCPP partner. The mission of NARCDC is to build relationships, cultivate partnerships and steward resources, both natural and human, to enhance the ability of RC&D Councils to improve the wellbeing of the communities they serve.