Telling the District Story

Here in Indiana we are strong believers in five core principles that provide the foundation for a successful Soil and Water Conservation District. Strengthening a District creates an environment that supports continuous improvement in that SWCD and the services they provide to their customers.

The five core principles are:

District Capacity: Every SWCD needs leaders with a clear understanding of the issues facing their organization who are prepared to implement them while maintaining operational functions, developing staff and supervisor skills, and managing conservation resources. District Capacity includes leadership development, customer service and efficient business operations.

Fundraising: Author Robert Schnase says "We are stewards of the earth. We are stewards of those things entrusted to us, inherited by us, given us, and earned by us." Districts are government entities who obtain funding from local, state and federal sources as well as other enterprises. SWCDs solicit and gather funds or other gifts in-kind, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies. Fundraising includes community foundations, the SWCD Foundation, associate memberships, contribution agreements, tree sales, plat book sales, and other local fundraising projects.

Conservation Implementation: SWCDs provide critical resources for landowners wanting to apply conservation practices to their land, whether it be rural or urban.  The types of programs offered varies depending on the natural resource concerns identified by the local SWCD. Conservation Implementation includes SWCD cost-share programs, structural BMPs (best management practices) and non-structural BMPs.

Outreach: Outreach to customers and the public is fundamental to a SWCD’s success. It's about actively engaging audiences in learning from, enjoying and valuing our natural resources – the environment. Outreach includes adult and youth education, marketing & advertising campaigns and unique ways Districts have connected with constituents.

Partnerships: SWCD partnerships are stakeholders, individuals or representatives from other organizations who have a legitimate stake in the management of our natural resources. Partnerships include initiatives at the local level that are examples of successful District collaborations that have succeeded in achieving local conservation goals for SWCDs and their partners.

View the District stories on these subsequent pages and read about how Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts are strengthening their foundations to better serve customers, improve water quality and provide pristine natural resources for generations to come.

Click here to download a copy of the Success Gazette newsletter published by the DSC District Support Specialists for our 2009 Legislative Breakfast that also features several District success stories.