I. INTRODUCTION

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) is a private, nonprofit organization that represents Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts, their cooperating landowners, and the communities whom they serve. PACD's basic philosophy places importance on local decision making and involvement in solving conservation problems. County conservation districts assess conservation problems, set priorities for conservation work to be done, and coordinate federal, state, and local resources to carry out their programs.

PACD's mission is to support, enhance and promote Pennsylvania's conservation districts and their programs.

The Association is guided by a number of basic policies:

• Motivate conservation district officials to full and positive leadership.
• Seek public assistance for conservation work which is in the public interest and which landowners and land users cannot perform adequately with their own capabilities or authorities.
• Seek effective support for conservation districts wherever it may be found - in government, industry, labor and commerce; in farm, civic, and conservation organizations; among educators, publishers, and the clergy: and in all other segments of American society.
• Supply reliable information about the purposes and activities of conservation districts to the press, radio, and television; to national, state, and local legislative bodies; to farm organization and agricultural leaders; and to all responsible organizations and leaders concerned with these purposes and activities.
• Cooperate with county, state, and federal agencies concerned with the conservation, use, and development of our natural resources.
• Support the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and its conservation programs, and work with NACD to accomplish legislative and policy changes.