Conservation Districts
In April 1937 Oklahoma passed the Conservation District Act, giving citizens the opportunity to form their own conservation districts and creating the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
Conservation districts are legal subdivisions of state government, whose primary goal is to assist citizens in practicing wise use and management of the state’s renewable natural resources, especially its soil and water. Conservation districts continue to assist farmers and ranchers as in the past, but today also assist a larger segment of the public including community planners, public health officials, developers and rural and urban citizens. Districts also provide a variety of education materials and opportunities for students, and some lease or provide equipment to local landowners.
The entire state is divided into conservation districts, usually, but not always, along county lines. A five-member board of directors guides each district, three of which are elected by area voters in Conservation District Director Elections and two are appointed by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission based on local board recommendations.
Find your Conservation District
For an interactive map and directory of conservation districts, visit the Oklahoma Conservation Commission here.
January 10, 2024
All Conservation Districts
Dear Conservation District Directors, Associate Directors, and Employees,
Hello! In 2024, we are celebrating our 86th year in operation. The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts was founded to strengthen the capacity of conservation districts and those who manage the land across our state, so that together, we can preserve our natural resources. That continues to be our focus today.
Together, we were able to accomplish a lot in 2023. In 2022, I reported that we received the largest appropriation for conservation ever in the state’s history - well, that record didn’t last very long, because we were able to secure another increase in 2023 that allowed us to initiate the Terry Peach North Canadian River Watershed Restoration program to target eastern red cedars, expand the unpaved roads program, and continue to provide core funding for districts. This is directly caused by your amazing work in cultivating relationships with legislators and our ability to represent our members at the Capitol utilizing one voice. In 2023, OACD received the largest federal grant in our organization’s history - $4.9 million for 5 years to implement climate smart agriculture practices. Of this funding, $2.5 million will go directly to producers and an additional $225,000 will go to districts. An additional $70,000 of that will be used to train districts on climate smart agriculture practices and monitoring, measuring, verifying, and recording climate impacts.
2023 was also a year of growth for the organization. Through grant funding and private fundraising efforts, we were able to hire a Youth Contest Coordinator, a Grant Manager, and a Creative Director. These positions are all designed to assist districts in doing the amazing and important work that they do every day.
In 2023, the OACD board decided that it was time to raise the dues amount. That is why you will notice that this year dues are $450 not $400. We strive to keep this a manageable amount so that each conservation district is able to participate. Your dues dollars go directly to grassroots advocacy, youth awards, annual awards, and continued efforts to identify and secure additional funding for districts through public and private grant funding.
For $450 per year, we can do an extraordinary amount of advocacy, fundraising and grant writing, and program development. We hope that you’ll join us, as a member, in 2024.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joe Caughlin Sarah Blaney
President Executive Director
