About the NCRC & DC

The North Coast Resource Conservation & Development Council was formed and officially incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization in 2003 to advance the conservation of natural and agricultural resources within our jurisdictional area. The federal farm bill of over fifty years ago created the concept of the RC&DCs, and most first originated in the northeast. The USDA authorizes the area served by the RC&DC, and historically committed funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to identify problems, establish goals and objectives, build strategies, and implement plans. The North Coast Resource Conservation & Development Council was formed with the assistance of Resource Conservation Districts within its area boundaries, and became incorporated as a non-profit with the Internal Revenue S4ervice in 2003. For several years, the Council worked in close partnership with and received most of its funding from the NRCS. In 2011, all NRCS funding was lost during budget reductions, and the NCR&DC now relies on donations and private grants.

Our non-profit and non-governmental organization works cooperatively with land owners, private groups, and governmental agencies in an area that includes Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake Counties (TAKE A TOUR NOW OF OUR REGION).The area includes all of the land served by six resource conservation districts: Gold Ridge, Southern Sonoma County, Sotoyome, Marin, Mendocino County, and West Lake. The Council consists of a broad range of individuals, with our Board of Directors currently comprised of representatives of Resource Conservation Districts, County staff, non-profit organizations, and members-at-large. Any local government, Tribe, non-profit agency whose mission is aligned with the Councils, or individual may join the Council (see Membership), and Directors are elected by the existing Board of Directors from the membership.

The mission statement for our organization is: Our mission is cultivating commerce while sustainably using our agricultural and natural resources. The council promotes sustainable agriculture and natural resource management, and recently completed a Strategic Plan to further the following goals and objectives:

Agricultural Diversity - Encourage agricultural diversity so family farms and ranches can maintain economic stability
Natural Landscape Conservation - Investigate opportunities for sustainable use of forest products, including biomass energy, and to provide education and support for "Sudden Oak Death" prevention and control.
Community and Economic Development - Assist rural and agricultural landowners to identify and develop community and economic opportunities compatible with environmental stewardship practices.
Native Plant Habitat - Assist and support removal or management of non-native, invasive plant species.

The Council develops programs to further the above goals, and in addition forms partnerships with others to assist in implementing our programs. Through these partnerships, we may provide technical and financial assistance for local projects in line with our mission statement, goals and objectives. Specific types of assistance could include:

writing grant proposals
identifying potential funding sources for projects
serving as a fiscal agent to other organizations
assisting with grant administration
organizing events supporting projects
conducting tours and educational/outreach events
serving as an umbrella organization for new non-profits and foundations
coordinating technical assistance
coordinating mailings
developing and implementing educational campaigns

The Council believes that one person can make a difference, and encourages people to be involved in making things happen in their county, region, or state. We encourage the care and use of natural resources in ways that protect the environment and improve the quality of life in our community. We are fortunate to live in a bountiful and beautiful area, and our programs are designed to help protect and sustain the resources that can provide a high quality of life for us and the future.