Resource Conservation District’s 15 Years (2007-2022) in Review ~ Helping People Help the Land

Executive Director’s Message

I am thrilled to share this snapshot of the last 15 years of our rich, 84-year history serving the people and lands of San Mateo County.

Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) were established by California law in 1939 in response to the agricultural crisis of the Dust Bowl. Today, climate change and species extinction have joined the list of evolving environmental and community priorities. To address these issues, we provide trusted technical assistance, help people access financial and other resources, and get work done on the ground.

We are keenly aware that thriving human communities and healthy natural resources depend upon each other. When natural systems are broken it is not just wildlife that suffers. Towns flood, forested neighborhoods burn, farmers fallow fields, and people risk illness from polluted water. This is why we protect
streamflows for endangered salmon while building community water security, restore the health of forests and build resilience to wildfire, remove dams, and restore habitat for endangered species … the list goes on.

Whatever we do, it is always in partnership with others. This report highlights just some of the remarkable things we have done together.

Kellyx Nelson