Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D)

Resource Conservation and Development Programs (RC&D) are locally elected volunteer and civic leaders who plan and carry out projects for resource conservation and community development. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance and sponsors obtain additional funding and services from a variety of other sources.

The program focuses on quality-of-life improvements, and its premise is that local people know what is best for their communities. In New Mexico examples of projects that have been conducted by the RC&Ds include:

• launching a sustainable forestry initiative that utilized forest raw materials and developed value added products
• constructing a greenhouse to serve an outdoor classroom for school district students
• providing technical assistance in the construction of a rural events center
• piloting a manufacturing facility that uses juniper and recycled plastic to create construction and signing materials

New Mexico Resource Conservation and Development