Conservation Planning and Technical Assistance
Clark County landowners have the opportunity to play a vital role in contributing to the conservation of our natural resources. These services assist rural, suburban, and urban landowners with developing and implementing natural resource conservation practices that protect and enhance water quality, improve fish and wildlife habitat, reduce stormwater runoff, and control noxious weeds.

Our conservation planners work with landowners who voluntarily implement conservation BMPs (Best Management Practices) on their property. Assistance is provided free of charge. Implementation of BMPs can be expensive. The District works to provide cost-share (financial assistance) to help make projects happen. In most cases, landowners can receive between 50-90% cost share to implement BMPs. This District program is currently funded through grants but activities are very limited due to grant funding restrictions.

Information and Education
Clark CD provides opportunities for landowners to attend trainings, workshops, and educational tours that promote conservation of our natural resources. We work in conjunction with Clark County WSU Extension.
These educational events provide landowners the opportunity to establish dialogue with a non-regulatory program that addresses their shared issues and concerns. Examples of local events, educational series, and school age programs that could be available with this funding support include:
•Best Management Practices (BMP) workshops
•Arbor Day Celebration
•Elementary school conservation tours
•Soil and Water Stewardship Week
•Natural Resources Youth Camp
•Wildlife in the City
•Resource library for educators
•Firewise
Clark CD staff would also offer presentations upon request, which are tailored to specific audiences. Newsletters, guides, and resources are available to provide information on local natural resource information and management practices.

Engineering Services
The District currently offers limited civil engineering services for soil, water, fish, and wildlife conservation projects in Clark County. This funding will increase our available engineering services including project planning, design, and assistance in obtaining permits and regulatory agency approval.

We can help identify funding opportunities for projects and connect landowners with financial assistance programs to help make the project happen.

Services may include design and permit assistance for:
• removal of fish passage blockages
• stream bank stabilization and fish habitat enhancement
• wetland habitat restoration
• stormwater management
• low impact development practices
• off-stream livestock watering facilities
• compost and/or manure storage facilities

Conservation Grants*
The Clark Conservation Grants Program supports natural resource improvement projects in partnership with Clark County agencies, constituent groups, and individuals. The focus of this program supports activities on private and public lands that support natural resource improvement actions in partnership with community groups, organizations, and local agencies.

Natural resource improvement actions include:
• Education and Outreach
• Capacity Building
• Pilot and demonstration projects
• Direct improvement of natural resource conditions
This granting program provides funds to assist local groups and individuals by providing match dollars to implement their resource conservation projects.
* This program is not available without assesment funding support.

Farmland Preservation
Clark County’s farmlands are the foundation for a strong agricultural industry and a way of life for generations of farm families. Scenic landscapes of green, productive fields are an important part of what makes Clark County a desirable place to live and work. Farmland preservation clearly is an important investment in our economy and overall quality of life.

The Farmland Preservation program is a voluntary program that helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. For all of us, farmland preservation is an important part of keeping Clark County green and prosperous. Preserved farmland limits urban sprawl, protects our water and soils, provides us with an abundance of locally grown farm products and maintains our connection to the land.

Septic System Assistance*
There are many significant reasons for repairing or replacing home septic systems. Systems that do not function properly could lead to contaminated drinking water. A failing septic system may allow harmful viruses and bacteria to contaminate the surrounding soil and any nearby surface waters.

The Septic System Assistance Program can provide financial assistance to landowners to repair or replace with failed/failing septic systems and create a schedule for continued maintenance for the landowner. This program may also be used pay for the connection to sewer. The Septic System Assistance Program helps landowners protect their health, the health of their neighbors, and our natural resources. This program may also reduce water consumption, save homeowners money, improve septic system performance, and reduce septic system failures.
*This program is not available without assesment funding support.

Animal Agriculture
Our farm planners work with landowners, always on a voluntary, cooperative basis, to ensure livestock and horse management practices don’t cause environmental damage. However, we are currently restricted with grant funds to specific areas of the county and are limited in our services. Through this assessement funding, all District residents will have assistance available for addressing their natural resource concerns.
District staff is available to develop a farm or conservation plan for your property to address environmental risk factors and assist in implementing practices with the least environmental impact. Other programs are available to landowners who would like assistance or compensation for committing portions of their property to wildlife habitat. These programs can offer cash payments and technical assistance to those who wish to enjoy the benefits of wildlife habitats close to home.