Announcing the “Resource Conservation Network,” a Publication on Medium Spotlighting Resource Conservation Districts
Join the conversation!
The Resource Conservation Network is powered by a coalition of California North Coast Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), including Sonoma, Marin, Gold Ridge, and Napa RCDs. Resource Conservation Districts work in close partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and private foundations to bring critical educational, technical, and financial programs and resources to individuals and communities throughout our regions. We deliver an array of services that directly protect our soil, water, climate, and biodiversity.
The California North Coast RCD Network provides a regional focus on the empowerment of the stewards of local lands — from small urban plots to vast open spaces — in resilient land stewardship and improvements to ecosystem health.
“Creating durable relationships, lifting up and building on the efforts of our partners, and tapping into the collective brain trust of our neighbors is the best way we can meet the agricultural and ecological challenges we face.”
— Brittany Jensen, Executive Director, Gold Ridge RCD
The Resource Conservation Network connects anyone who wants to engage in environmental stewardship to the resources and community they need to feel supported and take action to build a more hopeful future.
“To reach the bold agro-ecological advances we are striving for, we need to work beyond county lines and with many partners. I am excited to learn from my neighboring RCDs and stewards about their work and experience. Together, I am certain, we can get closer to achieving our local and regional stewardship goals.”
— Nancy Scolari, Executive Director, Marin RCD
Why We Are Coming Together
Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for collective action to address the climate crisis. The uptick in severity of natural disasters, from crippling drought to devastating wildfires, demands that we take swift measures to build resilient agriculture systems and safeguard ecosystems. Furthermore, the climate crisis disproportionately impacts people of color and lower-income communities, compounding existing environmental injustices. Combating these inequities while adapting to a changing climate will require collaboration across organizations, communities, industries, and government.
Within each of our districts, we support farmers, ranchers, and other land stewards in implementing programs that benefit the environment and all members of our communities. Individually, this is necessary and important work, but the true power comes from amplifying one another’s efforts. We seek to build a network that can share resources, knowledge, and expertise to take on our toughest environmental challenges. We hope our collaboration offers an example of how partnership can strengthen our impact while supporting the long-term sustainability of our landscapes and collective natural resources.
“Climate and resource issues do not follow county lines. To realize climate goals and build resilient communities, we need to work together with our neighbors to help our communities take bold action to protect our natural resources.”
— Frances Knapczyk, Program Director, Napa RCD
What to Expect from the Resource Conservation Network
Our goal is to share compelling stories about work on the ground to empower land and environmental stewards in Northern Coastal California. You can expect to learn more about the collective history and impact of Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) and dive deep into local projects across our region through Q&As spotlighting community members and our many important partners. This publication will also include tools you can use that benefit our natural landscapes and information about ways you can engage directly in local conservation efforts.
“We see a future where the natural resources of Sonoma County are abundant and available for the benefit of all people, agriculture, ecosystems and the economy; however, we cannot do this work without leveraging our collective action across our region and state. Empowering our network through reliable technical support and action will enable us to strengthen the resiliency of our landscapes, health of our natural resources, and adaptiveness of our communities as we face the impacts of a changing climate.”
— Christine Keuhn, Education and Communications Manager, Sonoma RCD
Thank you for joining the conversation. We look forward to sharing with you and learning from one another.
The Resource Conservation Network gathers and shares the stories and ideas from its partners and colleagues. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the RCDs managing this publication.
