How Conservation Districts Help
Your local conservation district can do more than most people realize. And because they're local, everything they do is built around the needs of your land and your community.
Healthy soil,
productive land
Building and protecting the soil that South Dakota's farms and communities depend on.
From cover crops and no-till practices to erosion control and grass seeding, your district helps keep soil healthy and productive for the long haul. Because healthy soil doesn't just benefit farmers and ranchers - it supports clean water, healthy food, and thriving communities across South Dakota.
Trees, shrubs,
and native plants
Planting trees, shrubs, and native plants that protect the land and beautify communities.
From shelterbelts on working farms to trees along city streets, districts help plant the right cover in the right places. Trees and native plants hold soil in place, clean the air, shelter wildlife, and make neighborhoods better places to live.
Clean water
for everyone
Protecting the clean water that communities, wildlife, and farms depend on.
Districts work to improve water quality, protect groundwater, and reduce runoff that can harm streams and drinking water. Clean water isn't just good for the environment, it's essential for farms, ranches, and communities across the state.
Funding, plans,
and partnerships
Your district connects you with funding, services, and a plan built around your goals.
Districts offer their own services, connect you with grants and cost-share programs, and create plans tailored to your specific goals. They also bring in the right local, state, and federal partners to make sure you have everything you need to move forward.
Wildlife
and habitat
Helping South Dakota's wildlife thrive, from pollinator gardens to native grasslands and wetlands.
South Dakota's wildlife depends on healthy habitat. Districts work to restore native grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas, and green spaces that give wildlife the cover, food, and water they need to thrive.
Education
and outreach
Bringing conservation education to classrooms, communities, and people of all ages.
From classroom visits and field days to hands-on workshops, districts help people of all ages understand why natural resources matter and what they can do to protect them.
