NRCS Honors Four RCDs for Conservation Work in California

DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has honored four California Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) as "Outstanding Districts of the Year." The honors were presented at NRCS's partnership awards luncheon held during the 66th annual California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) conference in Stockton on November 9.

The Outstanding Districts of the Year are:

• Glenn County Resource Conservation District:
  Highlighted projects include pollinator conservation work on farms, Glenn County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Glenn County Certified Farmers Market, and Arundo removal work.
• San Joaquin County Resource Conservation District:
  Projects include taking a leadership role on the San Joaquin County and Delta Water Quality Coalition. The Coalition strives to help regulatory agencies understand the unique and complex processes used by producers when considering necessary crop and land treatments and management practices. 
• Placer County Resource Conservation District:
  Recognition was given to the district's Placer County Hedgerow Program, an effort to raise awareness of the value of native pollinators within the central Sierra foothills and contribute to the central Sierra foothill's sustainable agriculture future.
• Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains:
  Projects include restoring a large portion of Topanga Creek aimed at restoring stream bank stability, natural flow and critical habitat for endangered steelhead trout and many more native species.

RCD board members and staff were on-hand to accept the prestigious awards presented by NRCS State Conservationist Ed Burton in recognition of the Districts' leadership in innovation, outreach to stakeholders, furthering science in conservation, and reaching historically underserved communities.

"RCD's are one of NRCS's key partners in conservation, and we have a long and successful history together," says NRCS's Ed Burton. "I applaud this year's four outstanding districts of the year for their dedication to partnerships, innovation and outstanding work in getting conservation on the ground in California."

Conservation Districts work with farmers, ranchers, and urban dwellers to voluntarily improve soil, water, and wildlife habitat resources across the U.S. California now has 104 Resource Conservation Districts, most of which are funded largely through grants.

For the expanded news release featuring more information on each winning RCD, go to http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/news/releases/2011/carcd_awards-11-22-11.html.

SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service