About Us

History

The Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD) was formed in 2005 when the voters of the County overwhelmingly approved “Measure “L”. Our service area is consistent with the political boundaries of Tuolumne County and includes the City of Sonora. We cover the entire 2,229 square miles of Tuolumne County. TCRCD is one of California ’s 101 Resource Conservation Districts. For more information about California ’s RCDs, visit the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to identify and meet the natural resource conservation needs of all the people of Tuolumne County and its future generations by providing leadership through educational, technical and financial support for valuable, voluntary services and programs that promote conservation and sustainable agriculture, while maintaining our county’s rural heritage.

Who We Are:

The TCRCD is a non-regulatory Special District set up to promote Natural Resource Conservation in Tuolumne County. We work with individuals, land owners, growers, ranchers, public agencies, non-profit organizations and corporations to accomplish our goals.

Governance:

The Tuolumne County RCD is governed by a 9-member voluntary Board of Directors appointed by the County Board of Supervisors and the Sonora City Council and regulated under Division 9 of the California Public Resources Code.

Function:

The function of the Tuolumne County RCD is to take available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of local land managers and citizens with conservation of soil, water and related natural resources.

What Are Conservation Districts?

From (CARCD.org)

Conservation Districts emerged during the 1930s as a way to prevent the soil erosion problems of the Dust Bowl from recurring. Formed as independent local liaisons between the federal government and landowners, conservation districts have always worked closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service).

In California, Resource Conservation Districts are “special districts” organized under the state Public Resources Code, Division 9. Each district has a locally elected or appointed volunteer board of directors made up of landowners in that district. RCDs address a wide variety of conservation issues such as forest fuel management, water and air quality, wildlife habitat restoration, soil erosion control, conservation education, and much more.

California now has 103 Resource Conservation Districts, most of which are funded largely through grants. A few receive limited funds through county property tax revenues. The Department of Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service provide training and in-kind support, as well as a watershed grant program for districts.

Today, RCDs work in urban areas as well as with farmers and ranchers on agricultural-related concerns. California’s size and geographical diversity-along with an ever-growing population-make natural resources stewardship a great challenge in the Golden State.