Become a Pima NRCD Cooperator

What is a District Cooperator?

“District Cooperator” means any person who has entered into a cooperative agreement with the District for the purpose of protecting, conserving and practicing wise use of the natural resources under his or her control (A.R.S. 41-6002 (6)).

A District cooperator who resides within the District boundaries and is registered to vote in the State of Arizona

a) may vote in biennial Pima NRCD District Supervisor elections,

b) is eligible to run for a Pima NRCD Supervisor office, or

c) is eligible for appointment to the office of Pima NRCD Supervisor.

What are the unique capabilities of a Natural Resource Conservation District?

1. Conservation districts have a unique and specifice purpose. Following the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era of the 1930’s, Congress established the Soil Conservation Service (Now the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service or NRCS). The purpose was to improve soil retention and productivity and thereby safeguard the nation’s food supply. The new agency needed local input directly from farmers and ranchers. As a result, local natural resource conservation districts were created nationwide. The Arizona Legislature established the state’s first four Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCDs) by statute in 1941.  The Pima NRCD was established in 1943. Today, 32 NRCDs and 10 Tribal soil and water conservation districts are governed under A.R.S. Title 41 Chapter 58.
2. The NRCDs are the only conservation entities solely dedicated to connecting agricultural producers as direct partners with the the NRCS. The NRCDs, by federal law, hold Local Workgroup meetings at least once per year with the NRCS, to directly provide guidance for NRCS priorities and grantmaking. No other type of conservation organization has that unique authority.
3.  The NRCDs are  local units of Arizona State government. They have jurisdiction that enables them  to work across State, Federal, and private land ownership boundaries on flora, fauna, and geological (soil and water) resources. No other State or federal agency has such a broad jurisdiction.  Those other agencies can only work on issues within their specific jurisdiction and authorized scope of work. The NRCDs can connect partnerships to address common issues crossing all jurisdictions and all scopes of work. In this capacity, the NRCDs bring agricultural producers  into coordination on an equal footing with state and federal agencies to accomplish shared goals.

In addition to participating in the unique legal authority of the NRCDs, why else should you become a cooperator?

1. While the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can connect you with major Farm Bill grant funding, often they require the applicant to come up with non-federal matching funds. The Pima NRCD can connect you with State, local and other funding resources to help you meet the matching funds requirement.
2. A key drawback of federal funding is that it can create a federal nexus to your private property. If your property or agricultural lease gets designated as critical habitat for an endangered or threatened species, you may face harsh federal regulations limiting how you can use your private land.  The Pima NRCD may be able to help you find alternatives to fund your project without the strings that are attached to federal grants.
3.  Local Workgroup meetings significantly determine how the  NRCS ranks project funding applications the following year. The result can directly affect your own chances to have funding approved for your project. You MUST be a District cooperator to have your voice be heard during this process.

To become a Pima NRCD Cooperator, click the link or the button below to fill out the Cooperator Agreement Form. The information you enter will be sent to an encrypted server and kept confidential. For more information please see our Privacy Statement.