1. Soil & Water Conservation Districts HELPING LAND OWNERS PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND ENHANCE THEIR NATURAL RESOURCES

2. What is “conservation”?  Protection of soil and water  Prevention of soil loss from erosion  Enhancement of soil quality / chemistry  Efficient use of water  Maintaining land for future use  Considering wise use of land for food, forestry, wildlife habitat, recreation

3. What are conservation districts?  Local units of government  Created by local landowners  Governed by elected boards of local landowners  Dedicated to providing voluntary technical assistance and education  Almost 3,000 Conservation Districts nationwide working with federal and state agencies to assist private landowners

4. Aroostook County has three SWCDs Two SWCDs cover multi- counties: Knox and Lincoln Counties, Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties (Androscoggin Valley) 16 Soil & Water Conservation Districts serve local needs

5. District Conservation Planning Authority To develop comprehensive plans for the conservation of soil resources, for the control and prevention of soil erosion, and for flood prevention or the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water within the district, which plans shall specify in such detail as may be possible the acts, procedures, performances and avoidances which are necessary or desirable for the effectuation of such plans, including the specification of engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation, cropping programs, tillage practices and changes in use of land; and to publish such plans and information and bring them to the attention of occupiers of lands within the district; (from Title12, Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, section 6)

6. Natural Resource Assessments Funded by NRCS State Office Last completed in 2010-2011 Data compilation from: U.S. Census NASS Agricultural Census DEP Impaired Waters List MFS State Forest Assessment IF&W Wildlife Action Plan Public opinion surveys Public meetings with District partners

7. Landscapes Agriculture Crop Lands Pasture Lands Farmsteads Forestry Development Water Resources Wildlife

8. Resource Concerns Soil Erosion Soil Quality Degradation Excess Water Insufficient Water Water Quality Degradation Degraded Plant Conditions Inadequate Wildlife Habitat

9. How AGCOM Members Can Help:  Identify priority resource concerns that affect your membership  Provide resource data relevant to your specific industry (state and county-level data if available)  Encourage local members to participate in District public meetings on resource assessment

10. Contact: Tom Gordon Maine Association of Conservation Districts PO Box 541, Portland, ME 04112 Office phone: 207-878-0857 Mobile phone: 207-329-1399 E-mail: tgordon@maineconservationdistricts.com