Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Areas

The Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program is a unique program that helps people conserve and develop their natural resources in a way that will improve the area’s economy, environment, and standard of living. Because RC&D areas are locally organized, sponsored, and led, the program provides a way for people like you to make your community a better place to live.

Diverse groups of local volunteers establish RC&D councils or boards who represent sponsoring organizations within a multi-county region. Like you, they are people who want a better life for themselves and their children. The structure for this process involves:

• Identifying problems
• Establishing goals and objectives
• Developing alternative plans
• Implementing plans

RC&D areas work with a broad range of public and private entities to achieve their objectives. For example, RC&D is a program under the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), who provides technical and financial assistance to RC&D councils.

Local people are best able to determine needs and create solutions for their community. The strength of RC&D is in the commitment of people to solve their own problems on a grass roots level.

RC&D Areas in Montana

Most Montana RC&D Areas maintain Web sites. The hyperlinks in the following list will take you to those Web sites for detailed information on the activities of each RC&D area. For a brief summary of RC&D activities in Montana go to RC&D: A Catalyst for Community Enhancement.

For More Information:

• National NRCS Resource Conservation & Development Program Web page
• Resource Conservation and Development Factsheet

Last Modified: 03/10/2009