Through funding from the NACD Technical Assistance grant program, MACD is working to Revive the 5 inactive Conservation Districts in Massachusetts, which include Bristol, Essex, Nantucket, Norfolk and Suffolk Counties. These Conservation Districts no longer have a Board of Supervisors, and need their local residents and landowners to breathe life back into them.

Conservation Districts are local units of state government that receive grant funding to identify and address agricultural and natural resource concerns. They work with residents, landowners, farmers, nonprofits, and government partners to improve soil health, water quality, air quality, and wildlife habitat. Conservation Districts also provide agricultural technical assistance and help farmers access financial resources, and may offer programs such as soil testing, equipment rental, pollinator habitat support, and nutrient management assistance.

There are 13 Conservation Districts in Massachusetts, with eight currently active. MACD is seeking community members with a variety of backgrounds and experience who are interested in helping reactivate your local district, either by participating on a reactivation team or by helping identify local conservation priorities for future district projects.

To support this effort, MACD is hosting public meetings to discuss the role and benefits of Conservation Districts, the requirements and responsibilities of serving on a Board of Supervisors, and the steps needed to move forward. If you are a resident or landowner in one of these counties with an interest to pave the way for your Conservation District, please contact Stefanie Paventy at spaventyMACD@gmail.com.