Inland Empire Resource Conservation District

Locally Led Conservation

The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) is a self-governed, non-profit, local government agency established by conservation-minded local residents through California state law. Partial funding for the district comes from San Bernardino County tax dollars. Inland Empire RCD also relies heavily on grants and donations to continue their projects and educational programs.

The IERCD is involved in all aspects of conservation. The district partners with local, county, state and federal agencies in addressing resource issues like erosion control, flood prevention, water conservation and use, wetlands, ground water, water quality and quantity, non-point source pollution, forest land protection, wildlife, recreation, waste water management, and community development. The district also advises and assists groups, clubs, and public agencies. IERCD also offers free environmental programs in the schools within the district.

Inland Empire Resource Conservation District is a special district, and is subject to Division 9 of the Public Resources Code. The Resource Conservation District is run by a Board of Directors made up of conservation minded landowners who reside within district BOUNDARIES. Please see below for more information on IERCD Board Meetings.

History

Resource Conservation Districts emerged in the 1930s as a result of the losses of soil productivity and erosion during the Dust Bowl. The Federal Government created the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in 1935 and a year later began encouraging all states to adopt the Soil Conservation Act to organize farmers and landowners into different Soil Conservation Districts. These districts would act as go betweens for the Federal Government and landowners, and to this day conservation districts still work closely with the USDA NATURAL Resources Conservation Service1 (NRCS).

In 2005 the Inland Empire West Resource Conservation District and the East Valley Resource Conservation District consolidated to form the Inland Empire Resource Conservation. Inland Empire RCD is proud to serve the communities of Alta LOMA, Banning, Beaumont, Big Bear, Bloomington, Cabazon, Calimesa, Cherry Valley, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Devore, Fontana, Highland, Loma Linda, Lytle Creek, Mentone, Montclair, Muscoy, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, San Antonio Heights, San Bernardino, Upland, Yucaipa and Parts of Riverside.

RCD Structure

Soil Conservation Districts later became known as Resource Conservation Districts, addressing all Natural Resource issues, including air, water and soil. In California, Resource Conservation Districts are "special districts" organized under the State Public Resources Code, Division 9. All Resource Conservation Districts operate with a Board of Directors made up of elected or appointed volunteer landowners in that district. Resource Conservation Districts are mostly funded with grants and donations, although some receive limited funding through county property tax revenues.

Resource Conservation Districts not only serve the agricultural community but have expanded in serving all aspects of the conservation of the environment.