San Juan Island Conservation District
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. A Conservation District is a non-regulatory, governmental entity established to provide landowners and residents with technical and financial assistance. In Washington State, the 45 Conservation Districts are authorized by RCW 89.08.
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).Our Mission is to work cooperatively with San Juan County residents and partner agencies to develop and implement sustainable natural resource practices that protect and conserve our environment for today and tomorrow.