The NRCS maintains a close relationship to RCDUs. A District Conservationist is
appointed and acts a liaison between the local districts and federal programs and entities,
and along with a variety of other specialists, such as restoration ecologists, they provide
on-going technical assistance to the district (California Association of Resource
Conservation Districts, 2011). California RCDUs are also part of a Cooperative Working
Agreement between individual RCDUs, the USDA, The NRCS, and the California
Department of Conservation and California Association of Resource Conservation ͵
Districts (CARCD). While individual RCDUs are responsible for identifying local
resource needs, this agreement facilitates partnerships, participation, and collaboration on
mutually invested conservation projects, and sets up a framework for assistance from the
state and federal government (CARCD, 2011).