San Juan Islands Conservation District
San Juan County, Washington
What We Do
The Conservation District is a non-regulatory, government entity established to provide landowners and residents with technical and financial assistance to meet regional natural resource conservation goals. In Washington State, the 45 Conservation Districts are authorized by RCW 89.08.
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The San Juan Islands Conservation District was founded in 1947 and helps landowners conserve natural resources by providing free consultation services, project “cost share” funding and detailed technical assistance.
As one of Washington State's 45 non-regulatory Conservation Districts, we help residents throughout the San Juan Islands achieve their goals for land stewardship and productivity. We are committed to conserving and enhancing natural resources in the San Juan Islands for farming, wildlife, public health, forestry, recreation and residential uses. Your Conservation District staff is available to listen and work with you.
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History
Conservation Districts were formed on a national level following the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, which brought attention to the need to conserve natural resources, particularly soil. A model Conservation District Law was developed in 1937 under the leadership of President Roosevelt with a goal of creating local leadership to coordinate the conservation efforts of various entities and tailor them to meet local conditions and priorities.
This idea was hugely successful and today nearly 3,000 Conservation Districts across the US work with local landowners and residents to develop solutions to local resource concerns.
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Your Conservation District
The San Juan Islands Conservation District serves all of San Juan County and was founded in 1947; it is one of 45 local conservation districts overseen by the Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC).
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Our Mission is...
To promote the stewardship of county natural resources through education, implementing natural resource conservation practices, and fostering a stewardship ethic in partnership with landowners, residents, agencies and other organizations. To support our local community in taking action to address climate change.