History
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)
The U.S. conservation district movement was created after the ecological devastation of the 1930s Dust Bowl. Established in 1946, the National Association of Conservation Districts today represents nearly 3,000 conservation districts across the country.
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD)
To address the soil crisis Michigan passed the Soil Conservation Districts Law in 1937. To coordinate these new local efforts, early district leaders founded the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts in 1940.
Operating as a non-profit organization, MACD represents all 75 of Michigan's local county conservation districts. MACD’s role is to support these districts through advocacy, leadership training, and representation at the state level, ensuring local units have the funding and resources necessary to protect Michigan's land, water, and its $104.7 billion agricultural economy.
Over its 86-year history, the MACD has evolved into a sophisticated advocacy organization that works closely with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Cass County Conservation District (CCCD)
As a local special-purpose unit of state government, we are led by an elected Board of Directors who oversee our programs, budgets, and strategic goals. Our district operates as the primary point of contact for environmental programs and technical assistance in our community.
Through local leadership and state and federal partnerships, we empower Cass County residents to be stewards of the land. Our key services include:
-
A voluntary program helping local farms minimize agricultural pollution risks and adopt environmentally sound practices.
-
Enforcing state regulations to protect our water bodies from harmful sediment and erosion.
-
Partnering with the SW x SW Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) to monitor, educate, and manage invasive plants threatening our native ecosystems.
-
Connecting landowners with Farm Bill funding and NRCS experts to improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats.
CCCD is co-located within the regional office of the USDA-NRCS.