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What is "RC&D"?

Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is a rural development program focusing on conservation, development, and utilization of area natural resources to improve social, economic, and environmental conditions for area citizens.

The National RC&D program was established by federal legislation in 1962. This federal act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help local units of government conserve and properly utilize natural resources to solve local problems. Local councils, with input from area citizens, set program priorities. A variety of organizations, companies, and government entities provide assistance to local people in accomplishing their program goals. Lumberjack RC&D was established in 1968.

Who provides assistance?

RC&D councils have broad authority to solicit help from the sources they feel are best qualified to assist with their projects. Assistance may be technical, financial, or in-kind.

Lumberjack’s office personnel consists of a coordinator, and project assistant/ bookkeeper. The coordinator is a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) employee. The project assistant/bookkeeper is a council employee. These individuals help the council carry out their mission, goals, and objectives. The workload consists of information gathering, technical assistance, project implementation, facilitating, motivating, bookkeeping, report writing, etc. The coordinator acts as the liaison between NRCS and the council as well as other partnering organizations.

What is the mission of RC&D councils?

RC&D’s provide an area-wide framework for locally-directed action and cooperation aimed at solving problems identified by the people who are experiencing them first-hand.
RC&D councils operate on the premise that local citizens, with coordinated assistance provided by cooperating sources, can develop and carry out action plans which address problems they themselves have identified.
Citizens, groups, organizations, or agencies within the RC&D area can contribute by bringing concerns before the council, proposing projects, and keeping the council aware of community needs.

Lumberjack RC&D is:

  • a tax exempt nonprofit corporation with a 501(c)(3) designation and State of Wisconsin charitable status.
  • administered by a group of community leaders who provide direction and leadership to identify and address area needs.
  • a program that relies on multi-county cooperation and the creation of partnerships.
  • a program that allows for interagency cooperation and provides increased access to state and federal programs.
  • a program that helps coordinate the development of natural, economic, and human resources.
  • assisted by staff and consultants to help implement projects.
  • comprised of the following committees that deal with a variety of project ideas and Council issues:

    • Ag/Energy, Finance/Contracting, Forestry, Personnel/Special Events, and Recreation-Tourism/Rural Development.

    What are the goals?

    Goals are broad end statements that, when attained collectively, will result in the achievement of the vision for a specific planning period.
    Lumberjack RC&D Council developed goals that all current projects and programs support. Specific goals are arranged by opportunity area on pages 14-15 of the 2007 Plan of Work.

    Who are the local sponsors?

    Each RC&D area includes several counties and is governed by a council and/or committees representing the sponsoring organizations.
    The Lumberjack RC&D area in Northeastern Wisconsin encompasses the following ten counties:

    Florence             Marinette             Shawano
    Forest                Menominee          Vilas
    Langlade            Oconto
    Lincoln               Oneida

    The county supervisors and Land Conservation Committees (LCC) sponsor the Lumberjack RC&D Council by providing one representative and one alternate to the council's board of directors. In addition, the Council may approve up to five at-large representatives to serve as board members with full voting privileges. At-large members may not be elected or appointed county officials.
    The council meets quarterly to make decisions and vote on actions to be taken on various projects. Executive, Finance/Contracting, and Personnel Committees meet as needed between full Council meetings.


     

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