How Nevada Conservation Districts Work
Nevada has 28 conservation districts covering all 17 counties, according to the state's Conservation District Supervisors Handbook. Each district is a subdivision of state government run by a local board of supervisors who serve without pay. They exist to help private landowners, ranchers and farmers look after soil, water and range, and they are often the local partner for federal conservation programs.
What a District Does
Per the handbook, districts develop and carry out programs to protect soil, water, farmland, rangeland, woodland, wildlife, energy and other renewable resources on nonfederal land. They also help stabilize local economies and resolve land-use conflicts. Examples listed include:
- Administering grants
- Erosion control and tree-planting assistance
- Youth conservation camps
- Watershed projects
- Sage-grouse habitat work
State law spells out the toolbox in NRS Chapter 548. A district may run surveys and research, set up demonstration projects, carry out preventive and control measures, repair and restore property such as wetlands and stream corridors, make machinery, fertilizer and seeds available to land occupiers, build and maintain facilities, publish conservation plans, and take part in cost-sharing on federally financed projects. It can also sign contracts, accept gifts and work with other districts and agencies.
The Board of Supervisors
A district board has at least six supervisors. The handbook says five are elected by local citizens and the rest are appointed to represent cities and counties. Under NRS 548.283, each incorporated city in the district and each county appoints one representative, and each representative names an alternate.
- Elected supervisors: four-year terms, and any registered voter in the district may vote.
- Appointed supervisors: two-year terms.
- Elections: held in even-numbered years, in the first 10 days of November per the handbook. The county clerk conducts the nonpartisan election, either at a mass meeting or as part of the general election.
- Taking office: elected supervisors take office on the first Monday in January after their election.
- Pay: none, only reimbursement of expenses.
Elected supervisors must be registered voters in the district. A majority of supervisors makes a quorum, and the remaining board fills vacancies for the unexpired term. The State Conservation Commission can remove a supervisor for malfeasance, neglect of duty or missing four consecutive meetings without sufficient cause.
The State Conservation Commission
Above the districts sits the State Conservation Commission. It develops statewide policy and regulations for the districts, provides leadership on natural resource issues, facilitates partnerships, dispenses conservation funds and advises and oversees the districts. By statute it has nine members: two ex officio members (the dean of the Max C. Fleischmann College of Agriculture at the University of Nevada, Reno and the director of the State Department of Agriculture) and seven appointed by the Governor from lists submitted by the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts. The Commission meets quarterly.
Administrative support comes from the Conservation Districts Program in the Director's Office of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The handbook gives the program's address as 201 South Roop Street, Carson City, NV 89701, and its phone as (775) 684-8600.
How Districts Are Funded
The handbook lists federal sources such as NRCS cooperative agreements, which often require matching funds, plus EPA, U.S. Forest Service and BLM programs. State sources include the Commission and Clean Water funds under sections 314 and 319, administered through the Bureau of Water Quality. Counties and cities may also contribute, and districts raise local money through fundraising, service fees and memberships. Under NRS 548.4052, a district can also levy an annual fee of up to $25 per parcel, but only after a majority of registered voters approve it.
How a District Is Created
Any 10 occupiers of land in a proposed area can petition the Commission. The Commission holds a hearing, decides whether a district is needed for public health, safety and welfare, and then holds a referendum. It cannot approve a district unless a majority of the votes cast favor creation. If approved, the Commission appoints five temporary supervisors, who file an application with the Conservation Districts Program. The district becomes a public body once that application is recorded.
How to Work With Your District
- Find your district through the Conservation Districts Program, which is the state's central contact.
- Ask about technical help, tree planting, erosion control and grants before starting a project on your land.
- Ask how the district works with NRCS on cost-share programs, which often need local matching money.
- Attend board meetings. Supervisors set the priorities, and they are your neighbors.
- Consider running. Candidates must be registered voters in the district, and elections come in November of even-numbered years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many conservation districts does Nevada have?
28, covering all 17 counties.
Are supervisors paid?
No. They receive only reimbursement of expenses.
How long are supervisor terms?
Four years for elected supervisors and two years for appointed ones.
Who oversees the districts?
The State Conservation Commission, supported by the Conservation Districts Program at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Nevada Listings Covered by This Guide
- Carson Valley Conservation District
Conservation district in Minden covering Douglas County's Carson Valley, working with ranchers and irrigators on soil and water projects.
Minden, NV Website - Clover Valley Conservation District
Wells-area district covering Clover Valley in eastern Elko County, serving local ranchers.
Wells, NV Website - Conservation District of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas district serving Clark County with conservation education and landowner assistance in the Mojave Desert region.
Las Vegas, NV Website - Esmeralda Conservation District
Small locally elected conservation district in Dyer serving Esmeralda County landowners in the Fish Lake Valley area.
Dyer, NV Website - Eureka Conservation District
Conservation district in Eureka serving central Nevada ranchers on range and water issues.
Eureka, NV Website - Lahontan Conservation District
Fallon-based conservation district supporting Lahontan Valley farmers and ranchers with soil, water and range conservation work.
Fallon, NV Website - Lander County Conservation District
Battle Mountain district serving Lander County with rangeland, riparian and water conservation projects for ranchers.
Battle Mountain, NV Website - Lincoln County Conservation District
Conservation district based in Caliente that serves ranchers and landowners across Lincoln County.
Caliente, NV - Nevada Conservation Districts Program
State program under the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that oversees Nevada's 28 locally elected conservation districts, based in Winnemucca.
3275 Fountain Way, Winnemucca, NV 89445 | 775-625-0901 Website - Nevada Tahoe Conservation District
Zephyr Cove district focused on the Nevada side of the Lake Tahoe basin, with erosion control, stream restoration and watershed projects.
Zephyr Cove, NV Website - Northeast Elko Conservation District
Elko-based district covering the northeastern part of Elko County, working with ranchers on rangeland and water conservation.
Elko, NV Website - Owyhee Conservation District
Remote district centered on Tuscarora in northern Elko County, serving ranchers in the Owyhee area.
Tuscarora, NV Website - Paradise-Sonoma Conservation District
Winnemucca-based district covering the eastern part of Humboldt County, assisting ranchers with grazing and water conservation.
Winnemucca, NV Website - Quinn River Conservation District
Orovada district covering the Quinn River Valley in northern Humboldt County, a potato and alfalfa growing area.
Orovada, NV Website - Ruby Valley Conservation District
Conservation district for the Ruby Valley ranching community in southern Elko County.
Ruby Valley, NV Website - Southern Nye County Conservation District
Conservation district based in Pahrump serving the southern half of Nye County.
Pahrump, NV - Starr Valley Conservation District
Conservation district for the Starr Valley ranching area east of Elko, supporting irrigators and livestock producers.
Elko, NV Website - Tonopah Conservation District
Conservation district headquartered in Tonopah for central Nye County landowners and ranchers.
Tonopah, NV - Washoe-Storey Conservation District
Local conservation district based in Sparks that serves landowners in Washoe and Storey counties on soil and water stewardship.
Sparks, NV - White Pine Conservation District
Conservation district based in Ely that works with White Pine County ranchers and landowners.
Ely, NV
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.