What are Conservation Districts?

Conservation districts are legal subdivisions of state government that direct and administer local conservation programs to conserve natural resources. There are 51 conservation districts in the state of Idaho and approximately 3,000 districts in the United States of America.

The Nez Perce Soil & Water Conservation District (District) was created in 1941 under Idaho State Law (Title 22, Chapter 27, and Idaho State Code) and is governed by a seven member board. The elected board members oversee District staff and determine Nez Perce County’s conservation priorities. The District’s mission is to coordinate technical and financial resources for the implementation of conservation practices and projects that enhance and conserve our natural resources.

The District is a non-regulatory, grassroots organization that works with private landowners (mainly within the agricultural community) to promote conservation. Through voluntary cooperation with individual landowners, the Nez Perce Soil and Water Conservation District promotes Best Management Practices (BMPs) that achieve protection for water quality, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat.

What Does a Conservation District Do?

Conservation Districts work with landowners on the following issues:

• Livestock and manure management
• Pasture management
• Protection of streambanks from erosion
• Streambank restoration
• Wildlife habitat enhancement
• Woodland enhancement and maintenance
• Conservation tree and shrub plantings
• Provide educational presentations to schools and community groups
• Furnish soils information
• Provide Conservation Plans for farms and woodlands
• Provide information to landowners on cost-share assistance for BMP implementation

Board Members

District History