what is RC&D?

RC&D stands for Resource Conservation and Development. It is an exciting partnership between the Federal government and a local nonprofit organization led by local community leaders. It was initially started back in the 1960's to address rural poverty and help rural communities generate sustainable natural resource-based economies. Although today, many RC&D areas are not rural and are not poor, the need for the RC&D concept is just as strong as ever. RC&D is not the same-old, same-old - RC&D is collaborative, multi-leveled, action-oriented & inclusive.

Current program objectives focus on improvement of quality of life achieved through natural resources conservation and community development which leads to sustainable communities, prudent use (development), and the management and conservation of natural resources.

The RC&D Staff, along with volunteer Board and Council Members, other volunteers and partners help implement the goals of the RC&D Council. Staff is hired by the Board to implement the long range goals, policies and organizational operations that have all been approved by the Board.

The national RC&D motto is "Making things happen!" There are currently 375 RC&D Councils serving over 180 million Americans. RC&D is making things happen everyday all across our great nation. It's the community-driven collaboration and communication that goes on between all these pieces of RC&D that make it work. From Washington, DC down to a couple people brainstorming over red beans and rice, the RC&D network is a powerful way to help people change their communities for the better. Get involved with your local RC&D and help make things happen!

For more information about the National Association of RC&D Councils, you can visit the NARCDC website at:
www.rcdnet.org, or for the RC&D program in Louisiana,
http://www.la.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/RCD/index.html