California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

California Association of Resource Conservation Districts CARCD is a nonprofit connecting California Resource Conservation Districts, communities and leaders to protect land, water & wildlife.

Get involved in your district today!💧🌲 🐝 RCDs are a leader in on-the-ground conservation efforts. The 98 districts statewide are the center of locally led conservation in their communities and accomplish thousands of practical, hands-on conservation projects every year. Often these projects involve agriculture and private land, but we also accomplish much more. Typical projects include:
Water conservation
Watershed protection
Creek restoration
Stream bank restoration
Habitat improvement
Fish passage
Hedgerow plantings
Community education
Grower workshops
Native plantings
Creek clean-ups
Education of agriculturists on better and new environmental practices particularly around water conservation
Classroom visits
Fire prevention projects
Fire prevention education
Technical assistance to agriculturists
Watershed Management

RCDs are special districts that are a good example of strong local government. We are responsive and accountable to our communities to promote local conservation goals. Since most RCDs do not receive tax payer funding, we bring millions of dollars to local communities through conservation projects funded mainly through grants and private contributions. Those RCDs that do receive tax dollars return every dollar back to their communities 10 fold. We are your partner in local conservation and agriculture.

Across California, RCDs are tackling big conservation challenges at the local level. This November, we’re bringing that ...
10/12/2026

Across California, RCDs are tackling big conservation challenges at the local level. This November, we’re bringing that community together in Sacramento. 🌱

The 2026 CARCD Annual Conference is coming up November 17–19 in Sacramento, bringing RCD staff, partners, conservation professionals, and community leaders together for three days of learning, connection, and conversations about the work happening across our state.

It’s a chance to share what’s working in our communities, learn from the experiences of RCDs and partners across California, and build new connections that strengthen the work we take back home.

Join us in Sacramento this November! Learn more and register for the 81st Annual CARCD Conference at whova.com/portal/registration/VyOniYKEAXDxi2PzNXJi.

The CARCD Annual Conference will be here before we know it! 🌿Each year, RCD staff, conservation partners, agencies, and ...
10/08/2026

The CARCD Annual Conference will be here before we know it! 🌿

Each year, RCD staff, conservation partners, agencies, and leaders from across California come together to connect, learn from one another, and dig into the work shaping conservation across our state.

From conversations around the challenges facing our natural and working lands to sharing ideas, resources, and lessons learned in the field, the Annual Conference is one of our favorite opportunities to bring California’s conservation community together in one place.

If you haven’t made your plans yet, now’s the time! Learn more about this year’s conference and find registration information at the link below.

carcd.org/page/annual-conference

Big news for conservation in the Tahoe Basin: Tahoe Resource Conservation District is receiving $4 million to restore 79...
10/07/2026

Big news for conservation in the Tahoe Basin: Tahoe Resource Conservation District is receiving $4 million to restore 79 acres of meadow along the Upper Truckee River, Lake Tahoe’s largest tributary.

The funding is part of $44 million recently awarded by the California Wildlife Conservation Board for 15 conservation projects across 11 counties, supporting work that ranges from Tribal-led stewardship and land acquisition to habitat protection and ecological restoration.

For Tahoe RCD, that investment means continuing important work to restore meadow habitat and support the health and resilience of the Upper Truckee River watershed.

It’s one piece of a much larger investment in the people and organizations caring for California’s landscapes.

tahoercd.org

Wildfire resilience work is getting underway along one of the California coast’s most important corridors. 🌲🔥San Mateo R...
10/04/2026

Wildfire resilience work is getting underway along one of the California coast’s most important corridors. 🌲🔥

San Mateo Resource Conservation District is working alongside Caltrans HQ and local partners to reduce wildfire risk around Pedro Point Headlands and Highway 1 near Pacifica, where dense, invasive vegetation sits alongside neighborhoods and a critical evacuation route.

The project will remove hazardous vegetation and invasive eucalyptus, reduce wildfire fuels, and improve conditions for more fire-resilient native coastal prairie and scrub habitat.

It’s a great example of the many ways local RCDs help build wildfire resilience — protecting communities and evacuation routes while supporting healthier native landscapes.

Learn more about the project and the work happening along Highway 1 at heyor.ca/cn3xEu.

A well-deserved recognition for one of California’s own RCD leaders 👏Sarah Jones, Executive Director of Placer Resource ...
10/02/2026

A well-deserved recognition for one of California’s own RCD leaders 👏

Sarah Jones, Executive Director of Placer Resource Conservation District, has been named the 2026 Placer Conservator of the Year by Placer Land Trust, recognizing more than two decades of work protecting lands and natural resources.

From forestry and water resources to wildlife, agriculture, and climate, Sarah’s work has brought together landowners, agencies, nonprofits, and community partners to support healthier, more resilient landscapes throughout Placer County.

Join us in congratulating Sarah on this well-earned recognition and celebrating the local conservation leaders making a difference across California! 💚

goldmountaincanews.com/news/372640/conservation-celebration-week-honors-sarah-jones-as-placer-conservator-of-the-year

Getting students out of the classroom and into their local watersheds gives them the chance to experience conservation f...
10/01/2026

Getting students out of the classroom and into their local watersheds gives them the chance to experience conservation firsthand.

The Solano Resource Conservation District hands-on watershed education programs connect Solano County students with local ecosystems, teach them about the water resources in their own communities, and help build the next generation of environmental stewards.

On October 7, Solano RCD is participating in Live Solano–Give Solano, a county-wide day of giving. Donations will help support these outdoor education opportunities and get more local students learning outside.

Learn how to support Solano RCD’s education programs at solanorcd.org/projects-and-programs/education/watershed-explorers.html.

Wildfire preparedness is happening on the ground in Carmel Valley, where the Resource Conservation District of Monterey ...
09/28/2026

Wildfire preparedness is happening on the ground in Carmel Valley, where the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County is working across approximately 491 acres to help reduce wildfire risk for surrounding communities.

Through the Carmel Valley Fuelbreak Project, existing strategic fuelbreaks are being maintained alongside community fuel treatments designed to reduce hazardous vegetation, slow the potential spread of wildfire, and create stronger areas for firefighters to work from during an emergency.

The work includes mowing and managing vegetation, pruning trees, creating greater spacing between shrubs, and removing non-native vegetation, with precautions in place to protect sensitive plants, wildlife, waterways, and other natural resources along the way.

Take a closer look at the project areas, treatments, and work underway throughout Carmel Valley in the full StoryMap at storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/7257316814384ee88033edbd59476db1.

Fire season in California is a reminder that healthy, resilient forests take work long before a wildfire begins. CARCD i...
09/26/2026

Fire season in California is a reminder that healthy, resilient forests take work long before a wildfire begins.

CARCD is proud to partner with the U.S. Forest Service to support forest health, wildfire resilience and recovery efforts across California.

By pairing federal resources with the local knowledge and relationships of California’s RCDs, this partnership helps bring critical conservation work directly into communities.

Building more resilient landscapes is a year-round effort, and strong partnerships help RCDs provide the technical assistance, resources and on-the-ground support their communities need. As California moves through another fire season, we’re grateful for partners like the USDA Forest Service helping make that work possible.

Learn more about the USDA Forest Service and its work to care for forests and grasslands across the country at carcd.org/page/partners.

What does climate-smart agriculture look like on a small California farm? This project from the Resource Conservation Di...
09/25/2026

What does climate-smart agriculture look like on a small California farm? This project from the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County is a great example.

Guillermo Lázaro owns and operates ALD & Y Organic Farm, an 11-acre organic-certified farm growing mixed vegetables and berries in Monterey County. His approach to farming already includes long-term investments in the land, from compost and crop rotation to hedgerows and winter cover crops.

When the opportunity arose to solarize his irrigation pump, technical assistance from the Resource Conservation District of Monterey County helped Guillermo secure a State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) grant. The resulting 8.4 kW solar-powered system now operates the farm’s well and booster pumps, lowering utility costs and allowing Guillermo to irrigate without the same exposure to fluctuating fuel prices.

Over the life of the project, the system is estimated to prevent 83.87 tonnes of CO₂e emissions, roughly equivalent to taking 20 gas-powered cars off the road for a year.

Projects like this also highlight why accessible technical assistance is so important. Upfront costs, navigating grant programs and language barriers can all make conservation investments more difficult for small-scale farmers. RCDs can help bridge that gap, connecting local producers with the resources and support needed to turn good ideas into projects on the ground.

Wondering what resources might be available for your own farm or working lands? Connect with your local RCD to learn about programs, funding opportunities and technical assistance available in your area.

Find your local RCD and learn more: carcd.org/page/regions

The 2026 Western Monarch Count is approaching, and the Ventura County Resource Conservation District is looking for volu...
09/23/2026

The 2026 Western Monarch Count is approaching, and the Ventura County Resource Conservation District is looking for volunteers to help collect and submit data on overwintering western monarchs and their habitat.

This community science effort helps researchers and conservation partners track monarch populations and better understand the places these butterflies depend on during their annual migration.

The 2026–27 count will take place during three periods: October 17–November 1, November 14–December 6, and December 26–January 10.

Whether you’re in Ventura County or elsewhere in California, there are opportunities to contribute to western monarch conservation. Learn more about the count, find volunteer opportunities, and register to participate at the link below.

westernmonarchcount.org/volunteer

Address

705 E Bidwell Street
Folsom, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

, , ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when California Association of Resource Conservation Districts posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category