SECTION ONE
Introduction
Welcome
District Directors form the foundation of the locally led conservation district system. Approximately 500 Pennsylvania residents volunteer their time, expertise, and service as members of district boards to advance the mission and programs of conservation districts across the Commonwealth. Through their efforts, they assist county residents in conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural resources within their communities.
This resource is designed as a practical reference for district directors with basic information on conservation districts, director responsibilities, legal issues, and the network of support available to assist conservation districts in achieving their programmatic and operational goals.
The content organization is based on the Handbook for Pennsylvania's Conservation District Directors, a general reference document that was conceived and developed by a group of district directors, district managers, and partner agency personnel and distributed to districts through the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program starting in 1996, with an update in 2017. The 2026 edition was revised by a team including staff from the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and was developed with input from partner agency staff and district directors and managers. It is designed for web-based delivery and includes linked resources and other digital content to support self-guided learning for new directors and district personnel.
Thank you to all the individuals whose work and dedicated involvement over the years have made Pennsylvania's conservation districts among the strongest and most effective in the country.
What is a Conservation District?
Conservation districts were established to promote the protection, preservation, maintenance, improvement, and responsible use of land, water, and related natural resources within the Commonwealth. They operate under the principle that decisions regarding natural resource management are best made at the local level by citizens who understand local conditions and needs. Conservation districts function as unique legal subdivisions of state government and receive financial and technical assistance from local, state, federal, and private partners. This collaborative support enables them to implement programs and activities that effectively fulfill their conservation mission.
Pennsylvania conservation districts are organized in accordance with Act 217, commonly known as the Conservation District Law, and operate with the assistance of the State Conservation Commission and their county governments. The law defines a conservation district as a "public body, corporate and politic, exercising public powers," meaning that conservation districts are run by appointed members of the community who may have different ideas and feelings, but form a unified body to develop conservation programs for their county.
As subdivisions of state government, conservation districts possess powers that can influence and benefit all residents within their counties. Conservation districts operate in a manner similar to school districts: both are special-purpose units of state government governed by locally appointed or elected boards; both have significant authority and discretion in carrying out their responsibilities; and both serve as representatives of, and are accountable to, the citizens of their communities.
The effectiveness of conservation districts is primarily attributed to their ability to collaborate successfully with local, state, and federal agencies and organizations. Districts maintain strong networks both within their counties and across county boundaries. They serve effectively as a resource for technical assistance and project implementation, as well as mediators and facilitators in addressing local natural resource concerns.
Districts serve as clearinghouses for natural resource information, community conservation concerns, and local environmental efforts. They are responsible for implementing many conservation programs and for the final evaluation of these programs in their communities, serving a range of agricultural and non-agricultural interests. Conservation districts participate in programs that include erosion and sediment pollution control, stormwater management, mine land reclamation, nutrient management, waterway protection, agricultural land preservation, forestry, and environmental education.
An engaged, knowledgeable board of district directors and a professional, well-trained staff are the foundation of a successful conservation district. They are two halves of the whole that must work together to accomplish the district's mission.
History of the Conservation District Movement in Pennsylvania
The catastrophic loss of fertile topsoil in the Midwest during the Dust Bowl Period of the 1930s was the cause and inspiration for the modern soil conservation movement. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the creation of the conservation district system by introducing model legislation titled the "Standard Soil Conservation Law."
On May 15, 1945, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the Soil Conservation District Act (Act 217) to provide for the protection of the soil resources of the Commonwealth. It established the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and provided for the organization of county conservation districts.
County governing bodies became authorized to declare their county a conservation district by a simple majority vote after receiving a petition from the public. Within those counties, a district board of directors was given responsibility for assisting farmers in implementing voluntary erosion control plans. Potter County created the first district in November of 1945, and conservation districts now exist in 66 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties.
The passage of Act 217 marked the beginning of Pennsylvania's serious commitment to the preservation of its soil and water resources, with the State Conservation Commission providing a central focus for these efforts and districts providing local delivery and management of programs.
While in many other states conservation districts are an extension of state agencies or the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania's conservation districts are most closely linked to county government. Some counties provide a portion of the funding for district operations and exercise influence over the direction of district programs. This local involvement in natural resource management remains a cornerstone of conservation philosophy in Pennsylvania.
The Evolution of the District and its Board
The earliest role of the conservation district was to identify and prioritize the conservation needs of its county. The boards of volunteer directors worked closely with the federal and state resource management agencies to deliver services to their constituents. District board members promoted available programs and services, lobbied for needed assistance, provided critical educational programs, and assured vital community links. For the most part, districts served as a "referral agency," working with their partners to promote and secure the assistance landowners needed.
Over the decades, conservation districts have evolved into professional service delivery organizations. Many districts in Pennsylvania now manage multi-million-dollar budgets that encompass cost-share programs, technical assistance, equipment operations, facilities ownership and management, educational programs, and legislative liaison activities. State natural resource management and water quality agencies rely on conservation districts as efficient partners for program delivery. In some cases, districts exceed the financial and technical capacities of their local, state, and federal partners.
The growth and success of Pennsylvania's conservation districts are rooted in the development of their administrative and technical capabilities. These capabilities are exemplified by a professional workforce employed at the discretion of district boards. In districts with successful programs, there is a clear correlation between the effective utilization of these professionals and the overall success of district initiatives.
The complexity of operating and maintaining extensive local conservation programs—while addressing increasingly sophisticated local, state, and federal conservation issues, managing staff, and developing and implementing local policies—demands a high level of skill and professionalism from district employees. Strengthening these abilities not only supports the continued growth and effectiveness of conservation districts but also helps maintain the critical relationship and partnership between district boards and their staff.
Director Engagement
Today's conservation district directors come from diverse backgrounds, representing both agricultural and non-agricultural interests. As board members, directors assume both a duty of care and a duty of loyalty to their districts. The duty of care requires directors to exercise diligence and prudence in making informed decisions that advance the district's mission. Directors are therefore expected to be knowledgeable about local environmental challenges and emerging issues, promote compliance with environmental regulations, monitor planning and prioritize programs, provide oversight of district management, advocate for necessary resources, and assist in coordinating the activities of external agencies with district projects. The duty of loyalty requires directors to act in the district's best interests above their personal interests and to avoid conflicts of interest.
The effectiveness of a conservation district ultimately depends on the engagement and leadership of its board. Directors' dedication to environmental stewardship underpins the district's accomplishments, and their voluntary service is essential to both the district's organizational culture and its public mission. As leaders, decision-makers, advocates, and key participants in a broader conservation partnership network, directors play a critical role in protecting the Commonwealth's natural resources for all residents.
Where to Start as a Conservation District Director
This resource has been developed with newly appointed district directors in mind and is organized to provide a foundational orientation for understanding conservation districts, boards, and programs. It includes links to Reference Materials and other information, as well as condensed video summaries suitable for self-guided learning. A broad selection of learning resources and in-depth training content is also available to directors (see Section 5).
New directors should start with Welcome A-Board, a condensed reference document that includes an outline on board governance and director duties along with a learning checklist for new directors and other information. New directors should also have access to and familiarity with standard information and resources specific to their district. Suggested items for this reference list include:
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District Mission, Vision, and Values Statements
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District Annual Report and Budget
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District Strategic Plan and Current-year Objectives
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District Annual Events Calendar
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District Team Sheets (contact information for board, staff, and agency partners)
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District Policy Handbook
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District Board Committee List
Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development
Since 1986, the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program has been developing tools and training products to enhance the leadership and professional development of Pennsylvania's conservation districts.
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership, the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Committee includes district directors and managers, as well as staff from the State Conservation Commission, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, the PA Department of Agriculture, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Penn State Cooperative Extension.
The Committee evaluates the leadership and professional development training needs of conservation districts; seeks funding and training opportunities; develops products and tools for use by conservation district directors and staff; and provides statewide, regional, and local training and advisory support.