A Brief History of the District

The Manatee River Soil and Water Conservation District (MRSWCD) was chartered by the State of Florida on April 5, 1945 and recorded and established by the Secretary of State on May 15, 1945.

The District Board of Supervisors entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, whereby the USDA/NRCS provides technical information and experienced conservation personnel to the district.  Manatee County Government has been and continues to be a strong supporter of the MRSWCD by providing staff and technical assistance.

Supervisors meet regularly on the second Monday night of each month at the Manatee Extension Office in Palmetto.

History of Conservation Districts

The 1930’s Dust Bowl disaster spurred the United States Congress to declare soil and water conservation a national policy and priority in 1935; with the intent, to elicit the active support of landowners on a local level. Soil and water conservation districts serve as a liaison between federal government and local landowners in order to address local conservation needs. Currently, there are over 3,000 soil and water conservation districts throughout the United States. It is through these local districts that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, formerly known as the Soil Erosion Service and later the Soil Conservation Service, promotes natural resource conservation at the local level.

Florida

In 1937, Florida Legislature passed Florida Statutes, Chapter 582, also known as the Soil and Water Conservation Law. Click here to read Chapter 582

Association of Florida Conservation Districts

Local soil and water conservation districts depend on the Association of Florida Conservation District (AFCD) and the National Association of Florida Conservation Districts for leadership and coordination in natural resource conservation endeavors. Both agencies are nonprofit organizations. AFCD operates under the direction of its elected governing body and provides information and support services to soil and water conservation districts throughout the state.