We conserve land through outreach, restoration, and research.

The Cape Cod Conservation District was established in 1947 as a local component of state government. Its mission was to help landowners with resource issues relating to soil and water. Partnering with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, then as now, technical and financial assistance is provided in identifying and solving resource concerns on the local level, utilizing a partnership approach with other local, state and federal agencies.

Across the United States, nearly 3,000 conservation districts—almost one in every county—work directly with landowners to conserve and promote healthy soils, water, forests and wildlife.

Conservation districts may go by different names—”soil and water conservation districts,” “resource conservation districts,” “natural resource districts” and “land conservation committees”—but they all share a single mission: to coordinate assistance from all available sources—public and private, local, state and federal—to develop locally-driven solutions to natural resources concerns.

In addition to serving as coordinators for conservation in the field, districts:

• Implement farm, ranch and forestland conservation practices to protect soil productivity, water quality and quantity, air quality and wildlife habitat;

• Conserve and restore wetlands, which purify water and provide habitat for birds, fish and other animals;

• Protect groundwater resources;

• Assist communities and homeowners in planting trees and other land cover to hold soil in place, clean the air, provide cover for wildlife, and beautify neighborhoods;

• Help developers control soil erosion and protect water and air quality during construction; and

• Reach out to communities and schools to teach the value of natural resources and encourage conservation efforts.