1 orientation for conservation district officials and staff
TRANSCRIPT
1
Orientation forConservation
DistrictOfficials and Staff
2
The Fundamental Purpose of
Conservation Districts
To HelpProtect, Restore, and
EnhanceNatural Resources
3
Conservation Districts
Provide Services
Land occupiers are your primary customer base!
to Land Occupiers
4
Conservation Districts receive programs and
funding
GENERAL FUNDEDUCATION TRUST FUND
from the Legislature
5
Conservation Districts receive
Guidance and Assistance
The Conservation Committee is a state agency governed by a nine member
board of directors that provides money, services and guidance to Conservation
Districts.
From: Conservation Committee
6
Conservation Districts
Are Local Governments
“A conservation district...shall constitute a governmental
subdivision of this state, and a public body corporate and
politic” (exercising public power)
7
Function of the Conservation District
To take available technical, financial and educational
resources, whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the
local land user.
8
Who Do We Involve?
Land managers Organizations Businesses Local agencies State agencies Federal agencies Tribal Governments
9
Code of Alabama
A conservation district organized under the provisions of this…act shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this state and a public body corporate and politic exercising public powers…and the supervisors thereof, shall have the following powers…
10
POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and
Supervisors Conduct surveys, investigations and research
relating to . . . soil erosion; flood water and sediment damages; land drainage; conservation and development of soil, water, related natural resources . . . in cooperation with state and federal agencies
Conduct demonstration projects within the district . . . state lands . . . or other lands with consent of agency, occupier of lands . . . demonstrate means, measures, methods . . . conservation
11
Carry out preventative and control measures and works of improvement . . . including engineering operations, methods of cultivation, growing of vegetation, drainage of land and changes in use of land and measures for the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages . . .
Cooperate, or enter into agreements with and to furnish financial or other aid to, any agency, governmental or otherwise, or any occupier of lands within the district . . . conditions as the supervisors deem necessary
POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and
Supervisors
12
Prepare and keep current a comprehensive long-range program recommending the conservation of all the renewable natural resources of the district.
Prepare an annual work plan which describes the action programs, services, facilities, materials, working arrangements and estimated funds needed to carry out the parts of the long range program that are of the highest priorities.
POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and
Supervisors
13
POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and
Supervisors Hold public hearings…in connection with
the preparation of programs and plans. Supplement such hearings with meetings, referenda…to determine the wishes of interested parties and the general public…
…plans, developed by each district…shall have official status as the authorized program of the district…Copies shall be made available...
14
Administer any project or program concerned with the conservation of renewable natural resources located within its boundaries undertaken by any federal, state, or other public agency by entering into a contract…
Cooperate and enter into joint arrangements with other (conservation) districts.
POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and
Supervisors
15
POWERS and DUTIES:Conservation District and
Supervisors
Accept donations, gifts, and contributions in money, services, materials, or otherwise from the United States agencies or state agencies . . .
16
District Supervisors... areare public officials maymay employ staff shallshall determine staff duties and
compensation maymay delegate authority shallshall provide records of all proceedings shallshall provide for an annual audit shallshall serve without compensation
17
Responsibilities ofDistrict Supervisors
District Program
Education
Staff Supervision
Administration
Participation at local, state, regional and national levels
18
“District Program” means...
Know local resource needs and issues Have knowledge of local, state and federal
laws and how they may affect your land occupiers
Create & approve: Long Range Plan - What do you need to
do? Annual Plan of Work - How are you
going to do it? Identify funds and technical assistance from
district, other agencies and groups
19
“Education” means...
Identify groups needing information
Create messages and information to be delivered
Conduct demonstrations, workshops and public meetings
Distribute information
20
“Staff Supervision” means...
Hire and supervise district employees
Establish workload priorities for employees and assisting agencies
Evaluate district employees’ performance
Create and maintain Personnel Policy Manual with the Conservation Committee
Establish training and development program for all employees
21
“Administration” means...
Know powers, authorities & responsibilities
Set district policy
Manage funds, facilities and equipment
Meetings must be open to the public
Meet regularly - quorum required for any official business (3)
Enter agreements for assistance
Adopt technical guidelines and minimum standards (approval authority)
22
“Participation” means...
Be diligent about attending District meetings
Represent your district in front of:
state and national associations
local, state, Tribal and federal government
land occupier groups and organizations, environmental groups and other interested citizens
Help pave the way for district employees to be successful
23
Conservation District Program
Services to Land Occupiers
StateLaws
Federal Laws
How do Conservation Districts Work?
Resource Users
Resource Needs Planning
!Available Resource
s
Local Ordinanc
es
24
Planning: OVERVIEW
Values = what you care about Vision = desired future condition Mission = why your organization exists Goals = achievable results Program Areas = resource concerns Annual Priorities = what is most important? Annual Plan = schedule of tasks/activities Track progress and revise = do it better
25
Planning: VALUES
Values are those beliefs, aspects, or things your organization cares most deeply about
You -- board members, staff, and customers -- are the organization
26
Planning: VISION
Your vision is a picture in words of the future you want to create
What do you want your district to be like in ten years?
It is about forgetting what is possible and describing your dream of the future
27
Planning: MISSION
Mission is the why: Why does your district exist?
What is it about your district that is unique?
It tells people what we do
It provides purpose, gives direction, and empowers the district to perform beyond known resources
28
Planning: GOALS
A goal is the result, achievement or end point you are working toward
They are smaller, specific, achievable, bite-sized chunks of the “big picture”
They move you toward achieving your vision
29
What Do We Want To Accomplish?
Statements of intent
Format “By (date) we will (outcome) . . .”
For high priority critical natural resource issue develop a “statement of intent”
Discuss and record agreed-to statements (goals)
30
Planning: PROGRAM AREAS
Earth/Soil: land use, agriculture, forestry, urban issues, other farm-type activities
Water: quality, quantity, flooding, wetlands
Air: quality, noise
Organisms: people, fish/wildlife, plants, and associated things like education, community, and recreation
31
Discuss the critical issues
Record on a flip chart
Prioritize
Use highlight markers or sticky notes to identify critical areas on a map
Critical Natural Resource Issues
32
Critical Natural Resource Issues
What natural resource issues need to be addressed
Where are the critical areas in your district?
Who are the people that need help
Decide how you will address theses needs
33
Planning: ANNUAL PRIORITIES
Identify your priorities for the coming planning year
Identify the parts of your long-range program that are of highest priority
What must you do? Plan them!
What should you do? Plan them!
34
Planning: ANNUAL PLAN
This can simply be a month-by-month calendar showing the activities necessary to accomplish your goals
Think of this as a list of reminders to help you keep moving toward your vision
35
Planning: TRACK & REPACK
Track your progress with your month-by-month calendar
When conditions change, repackage your monthly activities into pieces you can accomplish
Periodically review and revise your values, vision, mission, goals, program areas, priorities and monthly calendar
36
Locally Led Conservation
Conservation Districts can and should provide local leadership, knowledge and experience to protect natural resources
37
Cooperative Assistance
Conservation Districts seek cooperative assistance from agencies, groups and individuals
38
Agreements at a GlanceBasic framework for cooperation with USDA
Basic framework for state cooperation
Locally developed detailed working arrangements
Signed by:SecretaryGovernor and/or Tribal CouncilDistrict and/or Tribe
Signed by:NRCSState conservation agency and/or Tribal CouncilDistrict and/or Tribe
Signed by:NRCSDistrictOthers as deemed necessary by district
Mutual Agreement
Cooperative Working Agreement
Operational
Agreement
39
YOUR Conservation District
Hub of a Big Wheel!
AlabamaConservatio
nCommittee
Alabama Association of
Conservation Districts
USDA - Natural Resources Conservation
Service(NRCS)
National Association of Conservation
Districts
CongressLegislature
Governor
Local Needs and
Programs
Federal Programs
State Programs
40
Working with Others Provide technical assistance, education
activities, financial assistance
Obtain technical direction from the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide
Plan and prioritize activities with agencies
What is important to the agency staff
Understand time available for district priorities
41
Associations of CDs
Individuals
Local Conservation District (5 supervisors)
Area Associations (6 areas across state)
Alabama Association of Conservation Districts (67 districts)
National Association of Conservation Districts (2943 districts)
42
Are non-governmental
Are not for profit organizations
Have a combined voice
Pursue legislative and policy activity
Provide service to local districts
Associations of CDs...
43
Conservation Committee Assistance
Assist in coordinating district programs statewide
Provide financial and technical assistance Assist with projects, practices, budgets,
contracts, laws and regulations, programs, plans
Disseminate information concerning activities and programs of districts
Assist districts with exercising their powers spelled out in district law
44
USDA-NRCS Structure
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources
Chief NRCS
Regional Conservationist - East (regional staff)
State Conservationist (state staff)
Asst. St. Conservationist (team)
District Conservationist (field office staff)
45
How to Get the Most Out of YOUR Volunteer Time
Focus your efforts Seek new resources Take time for other district
supervisors Respect Board members and their
opinions Run efficient meetings Celebrate your District successes
46
District Employees
District officials must set overall direction for district employees
All administration of employees is the responsibility of the conservation district board
One district supervisor should be the primary liaison between the board and district employees (“contact supervisor”)
47
District Employee Relations
Orientation sessions should be provided to all new employees
Job descriptions should be clearly written and roles clearly understood between district employees and NRCS personnel
District officials should plan workloads with their employees and NRCS personnel
Performance reviews for employees should be done regularly
48
District Staff & NRCS Staff Relations
Review Mutual Agreement and Cooperative Working Agreement between district, NRCS and others
Technical work by district employees should meet or exceed district adopted specifications
Keep an “our” rather than a “mine” attitude
If issues come up, individuals involved should be encouraged to speak with one another
District officials have a responsibility to try to resolve issues locally first
49
General Discussion