History and Origins of Conservation Districts

In the early 1930's, along with the greatest depression this nation ever experienced, came an equally unparalleled ecological disaster known as the Dust Bowl. Following a severe and sustained drought in the Great Plains, the region's soil began to erode and blow away, creating huge black dust storms that blotted out the sun and swallowed the countryside.  Thousands of "dust refugees" left the black fog to seek better lives.

But the storms stretched across the nation.  They reached south to Texas and east to New York.  Dust even sifted into the White House and onto the desk of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

On Capitol Hill, while testifying about the erosion problem, soil scientist Hugh Hammond Bennett threw back the curtains to reveal a sky blackened by dust.  Congress unanimously passed legislation declaring soil and water conservation a national policy and priority.  Since about three-fourths of the continental United States is privately owned, Congress realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners would guarantee the success of conservation work on private land.

In 1937, President Roosevelt wrote the governors of all the states recommending legislation that would allow local landowners to form soil conservation districts.

Current Challenges

Sixty years have dramatically changed the American landscape.  In rural America, farmers use new technology to improve crop and livestock productivity while practicing environmental stewardship.  Widespread conservation practices like planting trees and leaving crop residue on fields prevent soil from blowing and washing away.  Land managers have altered their practices-from the way they till their land to the crops they plant and how much fertilizer they use--to protect the natural resources we all depend upon.

Although weather still acts as both friend and foe to the farmer, the Dust Bowl has taught everyone a distant but valuable lesson.  Today, conservation districts continually adapt to newly emerging challenges.

 This excerpt From the National Association of Conservation Districts Web site.