In the 1940Us California began creating soil conservation districts throughout the
state. By the 1970Us an important shift in conservation expanded the focus from soil to
include other natural resources such as water and wildlife habitat (California Association
of Resource Conservation Districts, 2011). In 1972 Soil Conservation Districts set up
under California law became known as Resource Conservation Districts (RCDUs). RCDUs
are locally governed districts empowered by the State of California and defined by
Division 9 of the California Public Resources code to manage and protect natural
resources. They take responsibility for a wide variety of conservation projects, initiatives
and educational opportunities such as habitat restoration, water and soil conservation, and
the dissemination of information through workshops, written publications and
demonstrations.