What is a Soil & Water Conservation District?

For over 70 years, Conservation Districts have been authorized in New York State to carry out programs for the conservation, use and development of soil, water and related resources. The Conservation District is a resource management agency that coordinates and implements its programs at the local level in cooperation with federal and state agencies.

Oak SeedlingSullivan County Soil & Water Conservation District coordinates the funding, regulatory permits, and site supervision for local environmental projects. For example, the Conservation District is an active participant in New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM), a voluntary program for farmers to address water quality concerns on their operations through coordinated technical and financial assistance.

This Conservation Pledge of 1940 was signed at the formation of the first SWCD in Schoharie County, New York: I give my pledge as an American to save and faithfully defend from waste the natural resources of my country – its soil and minerals, its forest, waters and wildlife.