Mission Statement:

"To provide leadership to help people conserve, improve, and sustain the natural resources and environment of Highlands County"

History of the Highlands County Soil and Water Conservation District

Conservation Districts

Conservation Districts were created nationwide, generally one per county, as a response to the Dust Bowl that occurred in the late 1930' and early 1940's. The Dust Bowl was a result of non-sustainable farming practices that heavily impacted the land and therefore soil conservation became the focus of these local groups, as well as the newly created federal agency, the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), known to day as the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Conservation districts were formed in Florida as a subdivision of state government under the Florida Conservation law of 1937 to implement locally led conservation. Conservation Districts and the NRCS work closely with each other, sharing resources and personnel, and usually office space, to accomplish the goal of conservation at a local level. The actual work performed by a conservation district depends on local needs. The work is directed by an elected board of supervisors who meet monthly to discuss and direct District activities. Traditionally the board of supervisors (for Districts nationwide) has been composed of members of the agricultural community, though more recently District boards are comprised of members from diverse backgrounds, particularly in urban areas.

Conservation Districts and the NRCS are NON-REGULATORY agencies functioning to provide assistance to farmers and the public in general to accomplish conservation goals.