What is an RCD?
WHAT IS A CONSERVATION DISTRICT?
A Resource Conservation District is a special
district organized under the State Public Resources
Code. It is authorized and directed to promote and
provide conservation education, to conduct research, and to advise and assist other public agencies and private individuals in the areas of land-use planning, soil and water conservation, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration, control of exotic plant species, and watershed restoration.
A RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS NOT A RULE-MAKING, REGULATORY AGENCY. It can, however, advise such agencies and act as an intermediary between them and individuals. Certain federal benefits are available to counties and cities only through these special districts.
Resource Conservation Districts can lease or own land, publish the results of their research, contract to perform restoration projects and educational programs and, if needed, operate facilities for the enhancement and conservation of our natural resources.
THE RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS is governed by a board of five non-salaried directors appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. They are assisted by Associate Directors and Resource Associates: scientists, educators, and community leaders who have volunteered to assist the District in its work, serve on committees, represent the District on request of the Board, and participate in meetings. Board of Directors' meetings are public and can provide a forum for current conservation issues.
The District is financed through a minimal property assessment. Other revenues include grants from public agencies or private foundations, contracts for education, research, and restoration services, and from donations. All donations are tax-deductible.
The District works closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, California Department of Conservation, California State Parks, Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board to carry out the District's responsibilities for providing leadership to identify local resource conservation needs, advocate for effective solutions, and work with appropriate parties on implementation.
Professional educators are employed by the District to assist administrators and faculties of school districts to develop resource conservation curricula and to conduct education programs with schools, youth groups, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Scientists and consultants are employed to enhance the District's role as a consulting agency to planners in other units of government and as a contractor for natural resource study and restoration projects. The District also employs a staff of administrative and clerical personnel.
Current services and projects of the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains include:
(1) Lead agency coordinating federally funded Malibu Creek Watershed Executive and Advisory Committee;
(2) Watershed restoration;
(3) Oak monitoring;
(4) Wildlife inventory and biodiversity studies;
(5) Sale of native and drought resistant plants for conservation purposes;
(6) A tree registration program;
(7) Natural science education field programs at Malibu Lagoon, Topanga State Park and Sepulveda Basin;
(8) A research/reference conservation library.
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