Conservation Districts

• Is a CD for You
• One Stop Shop
• Local Control
• Home-made Programs
• Economic Benefits
• Long Range Planning
• Partnerships
• Credibility
• Education
• CD Contacts List
• Annual Reports

Conservation Districts Framework - What You Told Us

Conservation Districts Framework Discussion Document

Integrated Watershed Management Planning - Overview

The Manitoba Government has drafted a Conservation Districts Framework for the Future discussion document. The purpose of the document is to define a shared future vision of the Conservation Districts program. Your input is important in determining the future direction of the program.

We invite you to respond with your comments, views and suggestions. Additional consultation opportunities are available by contacting Manitoba Water Stewardship at (204) 476-7033.

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Click on Conservation District for Contact List

View a high quality map of Manitoba's conservation districts, in Acrobat (PDF) format.

What is a Conservation District (CD)?

A Conservation District (CD) is a group of neighboring rural municipalities (RMs) working in partnership with the Province of Manitoba to develop programs to effectively manage the natural resources of their area. Conservation Districts are established under the authority of The Conservation Districts Act. Currently, there are 18 CDs in Manitoba covering over 60% of Agro-Manitoba. Individual District boundaries may vary, however they are usually based on the drainage basin or watershed of the major river in the area.

How is a Conservation District Managed?

The CDs are divided into sub-districts along watershed boundaries. Each of the RMs within a sub-district appoints members to the sub-district board. The chairpersons of all of the sub-districts, along with a Provincial Appointee, constitute the CD Board.

The CD Boards hire staff as needed to deliver their programs and to conduct sound financial management. Each of the CD Boards and staff develop an Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) for their area, in consultation with the local ratepayers and provincial partners.

The Department of Water Stewardship is responsible for the CD Program. The Conservation Districts Commission (CDC), reporting to the Minister of Water Stewardship, is responsible for the Program. Staff known as the CD Secretariat carry out the day -to- day management of the Program.

How is a Conservation District Funded?

The CDs raise funds from member RMs through a levy. The Province funds up to three times the levy raised. In addition, the CDs also receive funds from external governmental and non-governmental sources, as well as from local ratepayers for specific projects.

For over thirty years, Manitoba’s Conservation Districts have been practicing sustainable development at the grass roots level. Today, there are eighteen Districts, covering over 60% of the agricultural portion of Manitoba. The program continues to grow.

Careful management of the natural resources around us is essential if we intend to have sustained economic growth in harmony with the environment. The Conservation Districts (CDs) Program is tailor-made to deal with the resource management challenges of today and tomorrow.

Particular program strengths have made it a popular choice among rural municipalities.

• Local people are the "owner-operators". Municipalities, farmers and other District residents work together toward common goals – goals that they themselves determine.
• A CD is able to deal with the entire range of resource management problems within a watershed and could be a vehicle for delivering programs for other agencies.

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Is a Conservation District for you?

It's plain and simple... Are you concerned about the ability of the resources in your area to continue to support your community? If so, the CD Program may be just what you're looking for. CDs are in the business of managing resources for the long term benefit of everyone within the watershed. The ultimate goal is to manage the resources for our benefit today while ensuring that generations that follow will have the same resource management options that we enjoy today.

Consider establishing a CD, if: - clean water, clean   air and a healthy   rural landscape   are important to   you and the   people in your   area. - you can see an   advantage of   having a separate   body accept the   authority and   responsibility from   the rural   municipality for   resource   management. - the long term   economic and   environmental   health of your   community is a   concern.

The program's strengths are in its people... ...and in  their vision lies our future

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Program Strengths

1) "One-stop Conservation Shop"

The program acts as a conservation program broker, providing a structure that may be used to deliver other conservation and sustainable development related programs. With an administrative and delivery system already in place, programs can be implemented quickly.

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2) Local Control

The CD Program has succeeded because it puts the reins of control in the hands of local people - people who know their area, the people and local priorities. Member municipalities appoint councillors and ratepayers who, in turn, elect a Board to manage the affairs of the District.

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3) Homemade Programs

Each program can be designed specifically to meet the needs of the individual District.

Examples include:

water management small dams drainage soil conservation gully stabilization wildlife habitat shelterbelts erosion control

forestry fish habitat eco-tourism water quality education nature trails demonstrations riparian projects

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4) Economic Benefits

The long-term economic benefits of a healthy landscape and vibrant rural community will have a profound effect on the rural economy. In terms of direct economic benefit, the Program has spent more than $75 million in rural Manitoba over the past 32 years.

• More than 120 people are directly employed by Conservation Districts.
• Business is created for local contractors and businesses.
• Districts purchase local products such as grass seed, culverts, signs and fence posts.
• Estimates place the annual value of spin off benefits at $15 to $20 million.

Patience is a necessity

A Conservation District Board cannot expect to accomplish all its goals at once. Progress will be made step by step. Patience to await the benefits of a Conservation District is a necessary virtue.

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5) Long Range Planning

One of the first tasks a CD Board undertakes is to develop an integrated resource management plan, outlining its programs, goals and priorities. As local priorities and attitudes change over time, the Board may amend its programs to reflect these changes.

The stability and continuity of the CD Program allows Boards to plan with confidence, knowing that the program will continue as long as local people want it to continue.

Annual baseline funding from provincial and municipal sources provides for program stability.

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6) Partnerships

CDs area partnership between the Province of Manitoba and the participating Municipalities. CDs also provide a vehicle for other Government/non-Government Departments and/or Agencies, as well as private conservation groups, to deliver land and soil based conservation programs. This team approach to developing sustainable solutions has been proven to be beneficial to all of the partners.

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7) Credibility

Credibility is also a key element. Over the years the program has demonstrated that it can find ways to get things done cost effectively. The Province has expressed its confidence in the Program by continuing to expand the program annually.

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8) Education

CDs place a very high priority on educating Manitoba's youth regarding the environment and sustainable development issues. School programs and the other activities involving young people are an important part of a CD Program.

Funding the Program

Conservation District Programs are funded through a variety of sources.

• Provincial grants from Water Stewardship
• Municipal levies
• Land owner contributions
• Other resource management programs
• Partnerships with other
• Government/non-Government
• agencies/organizations

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For more information about the CD Program, contact:
Conservation Districts Program
Secretariat
Planning & Coordination Branch
Box 20000
123 Main Street
Neepawa, Manitoba   R0J 1H0

Phone: (204) 476-7033
Fax : (204) 476-7539
E-mail : wayne.hildebrand@gov.mb.ca