Flathead Conservation District turns 75!

Flathead Conservation District was officially formed on April 13, 1945, so this year marks our 75th birthday! The first meeting of the Flathead Conservation District was held on July 7, 1945, and you can check out the original meeting minutes here.

Over the past 75 years, Flathead County has seen many changes and challenges that required innovative and localized solutions. The recent covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and work, and the Flathead Conservation District has adjusted the way we do business and provide services. Such difficult times bring to mind past unprecedented challenges and unified action that was taken at both local and national scales.

Conservation Districts were formed during a difficult period for our country. The Dust Bowl Era was a time of sustained and severe drought in the Great Plains, and the soil was eroding and blowing away from “America’s Breadbasket”. On May 12, 1934, a major storm hit the Great Plains and darkened the sky as far east as Washington, DC. This was a turning point. In April of 1935, Congress unanimously passed the Soil Conservation Act.

Since about three-fourths of the continental United States was privately owned at that time, 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 to recommend legislation that would allow local landowners to form soil conservation districts. Montana passed the Montana Conservation District Law in 1939 to provide for local management of natural resources, and today, there are 58 conservation districts across the state.

Conservation Districts (CDs) are political subdivisions of the states with authority under the law to carry out programs that conserve soil and water, protect streams and rivers, and improve soil health and wildlife habitat. CDs operate under the direction of an elected Board of Supervisors, volunteers who share their knowledge and experience for the protection of local natural resources. CDs partner closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and serve as the local connection to technical and financial assistance. Funding for CD operations and programs comes from a county levy on real property, and this is intentional, so that local landowners are the direct beneficiaries of programs that protect and improve natural resources.

For 75 years, Flathead Conservation District has served Flathead County to provide local, commonsense conservation. This locally-led model works, even as we face new challenges and novel pressures on our natural resources. Flathead Conservation District is here to assist you with information and resources. Contact our office to learn more about resources available to you here in Flathead County!