California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD): Strengthening Resource Conservation Organizations Across California
The Challenge: Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are essential to advancing sustainable conservation practices across California. Their work spans critical areas such as fire protection, watershed health, groundwater protection, and sustainable agriculture. To succeed in this high-stakes work, RCD staff need their organizations to operate like a well-oiled machine—clear on strategic priorities, supported by effective internal processes and protocols, and guided by strong governance. When these organizational mechanics function smoothly, dedicated staff can focus on their critical tasks without the added burden of navigating internal inefficiencies.
Our Process: We partner with CARCD to strengthen its organizational capacity while supporting individual RCDs. Our collaboration includes strategic planning, board governance, staffing assessments, and capacity-building training. This work helps RCDs navigate challenges such as managing diverse stakeholder expectations, aligning leadership, and prioritizing limited resources strategically. In our most recent collaboration, we designed a suite of interactive workshops addressing governance, strategic planning, organizational assessment, community and stakeholder engagement, and leadership and culture. These workshops incorporate practical tools, real-world scenarios, and facilitated dialogue to build the skills necessary for sustainable impact, ensuring RCDs and CARCD can meet the demands of their critical work and thrive.
The Transformation: Our ongoing partnership empowers CARCD and RCDs with both knowledge and tools to make a difference. These include actionable roadmaps, enhanced governance practices, and stronger frameworks for community engagement. Together, we foster resilient leadership and collaboration, equipping RCDs to sustain and expand their critical work in conservation across California’s diverse landscapes.