What a Conservation District Is
All of South Dakota lies inside a conservation district. According to the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, districts are a subdivision of the state and a public body. Each is governed by a board of five supervisors, elected on a nonpartisan ballot to four-year terms. The state's Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry and the State Conservation Commission help the state's 68 districts carry out their programs by coordinating activities, sharing information, providing grants and loans, assisting with accounting and financial reporting, and offering technical help when available.
The state conservation mission includes conserving soil and soil resources, controlling and preventing erosion, preventing flood and sediment damage, and conserving and using water wisely, along with preserving natural resources and wildlife and protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the people of the state.
How They Started
Districts grew out of the Dust Bowl. The state's conservation history describes the drought of the late 1920s and early 1930s, when winds stripped vulnerable soils. Wolsey-Shue Creek and Winner-Dixon became the first erosion control demonstration projects in South Dakota. The legislature passed the Soil Conservation District Law in 1937, and Tri-County and Brown-Marshall completed their organization by the end of that year. Most of the state was organized into districts by 1968, and in 1982 the legislature included all towns within district boundaries, covering the entire state.
The name has changed too. Districts began as Soil Conservation Districts, became Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and were renamed Conservation Districts in 1968 to reflect their broader responsibilities. In the 1970s districts took on regulatory authority through the Sediment and Erosion Control Act, which was amended in the 1980s to include the Blowing Dust Act.
Who Runs Them
Supervisors are local people, and district staff handle day-to-day work. The partner organizations handbook describes the State Conservation Commission as nine members appointed by the Governor: four farmers (who must be or have been district supervisors), one urban representative, one water development district representative, two from the forest industry and one at-large. Among its duties, the Commission:
- acts on organizing, dissolving or changing the boundaries or names of districts;
- appoints the supervisors for a new district;
- allocates grants from the Coordinated Natural Resources Conservation Fund, and approves loans from the Conservation District Revolving Loan Fund; and
- works with the Division to require financial records and reports, with a standard January 1 to December 31 fiscal year.
The Statewide Association
The South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts (SDACD) was formed in 1941-42 by the first twelve districts to improve cooperation and give districts one voice. Its stated mission is to lead, represent and assist conservation districts in promoting a healthy environment. According to the handbook, the Association has sponsored grants on behalf of districts since 1990, and its programs include tree research, education, natural resource management technical assistance, building district capacity and wetlands conservation. A separate group, the South Dakota Association of Conservation District Employees, was organized October 8, 1973 to support district staff with training and communication.
Money for Conservation Work
The state's Coordinated Soil and Water Conservation Grants Fund was created in 1992 with help from the Association, and was later changed to the Coordinated Natural Resources Conservation Fund with an annual appropriation of $500,000. The fund follows the state's Coordinated Plan for Natural Resources Conservation. The 2021 plan brochure sets goals in areas such as water quality and quantity, forestry and funding, and includes a goal for each district to increase supplemental funding by pursuing additional services or projects. The cover photo shows a pond built with coordinated grant funds. Ask your district what grants and cost-share projects it is working on.
Working With Your District
Districts work alongside the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which helps landowners assess resources, identify conservation problems and build a conservation plan, and with state foresters. The Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry's service foresters offer direct technical assistance to private landowners, including forest stewardship plans, tree planting help and diagnosis of forest pest problems. Since 1985 the federal Farm Bill has pulled districts into planning and implementing federal programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program.
Many districts also recognize local producers each year. The state's district history materials say each district can honor up to five producers who meet its award qualifications.
Finding Your District
The state's list of districts includes names that do not match county lines, such as American Creek, Brown-Marshall, Brule-Buffalo, Clearfield-Keyapaha, Elk Creek, Hamill, East Pennington, South Brown and Tri-County. Your district may cover more or less than one county. The state's history of districts page links to each district. You can also ask your county USDA service center or your county Extension office.
Practical Tips
- Introduce yourself to your district manager before you need a project approved.
- Ask about cost-share before you start a pond, windbreak or erosion fix.
- Vote in supervisor elections; five supervisors serve four-year terms.
- Pair a district visit with a call to your local NRCS office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my land in a conservation district?
Yes. The state says the entire state is part of a conservation district.
How many districts are there?
The state's conservation division says 68.
Who sits on the board?
Five supervisors elected on a nonpartisan ballot to four-year terms.
Is a district the same as NRCS?
No. Districts are local public bodies; NRCS is a federal USDA agency that works with them.
South Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- American Creek Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Kennebec, South Dakota, serving Lyman and nearby counties landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-869-2238; mail or visit PO Box 156, Kennebec, SD 57544-0156.
PO Box 156, Kennebec, SD 57544-0156, Kennebec, SD 57544 | 605-869-2238 - Aurora Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Plankinton, South Dakota, serving Aurora County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-942-7379; mail or visit PO Box 277, Plankinton, SD 57368-0277.
PO Box 277, Plankinton, SD 57368-0277, Plankinton, SD 57368 | 605-942-7379 - Beadle Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Huron, South Dakota, serving Beadle County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-352-2998; mail or visit 1386 Lincoln Ave., SW, Huron, SD 57350-3080.
1386 Lincoln Ave., SW, Huron, SD 57350-3080, Huron, SD 57350 | 605-352-2998 - Bennett Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Martin, South Dakota, serving Bennett County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-685-1243; mail or visit 706 US Hwy. 18, Suite 2, Martin, SD 57551-5935.
706 US Hwy. 18, Suite 2, Martin, SD 57551-5935, Martin, SD 57551 | 605-685-1243 - Bon Homme Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Tyndall, South Dakota, serving Bon Homme County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-589-3232; mail or visit PO Box 45, Tyndall, SD 57066-0045.
PO Box 45, Tyndall, SD 57066-0045, Tyndall, SD 57066 | 605-589-3232 - Brookings Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Brookings, South Dakota, serving Brookings County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-692-8003; mail or visit 205 6th Street, Brookings, SD 57006-1406.
205 6th Street, Brookings, SD 57006-1406, Brookings, SD 57006 | 605-692-8003 - Brown-Marshall Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Hecla, South Dakota, serving Brown and Marshall counties landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-994-2016; mail or visit PO Box 73, Hecla, SD 57466-0073.
PO Box 73, Hecla, SD 57466-0073, Hecla, SD 57466 | 605-994-2016 - Brule-Buffalo Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Chamberlain, South Dakota, serving Brule and Buffalo counties landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-734-5953; mail or visit 200 S. Paul Gust Rd. #111, Chamberlain, SD 57325-1021.
200 S. Paul Gust Rd. #111, Chamberlain, SD 57325-1021, Chamberlain, SD 57325 | 605-734-5953 - Butte Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, serving Butte County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-892-3368; mail or visit 1837 5th Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717-2090.
1837 5th Ave., Belle Fourche, SD 57717-2090, Belle Fourche, SD 57717 | 605-892-3368 - Campbell Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Mound City, South Dakota, serving Campbell County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-955-3306; mail or visit PO Box 153, Mound City, SD 57646-0153.
PO Box 153, Mound City, SD 57646-0153, Mound City, SD 57646 | 605-955-3306 - Charles Mix Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Lake Andes, South Dakota, serving Charles Mix County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-487-7577; mail or visit PO Box 249, Lake Andes, SD 57356-0249.
PO Box 249, Lake Andes, SD 57356-0249, Lake Andes, SD 57356 | 605-487-7577 - Clark Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Clark, South Dakota, serving Clark County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-532-3797; mail or visit 115 First Ave. E, Clark, SD 57225.
115 First Ave. E, Clark, SD 57225, Clark, SD 57225 | 605-532-3797 - Clay Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Vermillion, South Dakota, serving Clay County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-624-7060; mail or visit 121 West Kidder Ste. 103, Vermillion, SD 57069-3033.
121 West Kidder Ste. 103, Vermillion, SD 57069-3033, Vermillion, SD 57069 | 605-624-7060 - Clearfield-Keyapaha Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Winner, South Dakota, serving the Clearfield and Keyapaha area landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-842-0603; mail or visit 113 S. Madison, Winner, SD 57580-1313.
113 S. Madison, Winner, SD 57580-1313, Winner, SD 57580 | 605-842-0603 - Codington Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Watertown, South Dakota, serving Codington County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-882-4989; mail or visit 1720 4th Street NE, Ste. #3, Watertown, SD 57201-5256.
1720 4th Street NE, Ste. #3, Watertown, SD 57201-5256, Watertown, SD 57201 | 605-882-4989 - Corson Conservation District
Local conservation district office in McIntosh, South Dakota, serving Corson County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-273-4506; mail or visit PO Box 47, McIntosh, SD 57641-0047.
PO Box 47, McIntosh, SD 57641-0047, McIntosh, SD 57641 | 605-273-4506 - Custer Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Custer, South Dakota, serving Custer County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-673-4971; mail or visit 447 Crook Street, Custer, SD 57730.
447 Crook Street, Custer, SD 57730, Custer, SD 57730 | 605-673-4971 - Davison Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Mitchell, South Dakota, serving Davison County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-996-1564; mail or visit 1820 N. Kimball Street, Ste. B, Mitchell, SD 57301-1114.
1820 N. Kimball Street, Ste. B, Mitchell, SD 57301-1114, Mitchell, SD 57301 | 605-996-1564 - Day Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Webster, South Dakota, serving Day County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-345-4661; mail or visit 600 E. Hwy. 12, Ste. 1, Webster, SD 57274-1135.
600 E. Hwy. 12, Ste. 1, Webster, SD 57274-1135, Webster, SD 57274 | 605-345-4661 - Deuel Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Clear Lake, South Dakota, serving Deuel County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-874-8225; mail or visit PO Box 348, Clear Lake, SD 57226-0348.
PO Box 348, Clear Lake, SD 57226-0348, Clear Lake, SD 57226 | 605-874-8225 - Dewey Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Timber Lake, South Dakota, serving Dewey County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-865-3681; mail or visit PO Box 133, Timber Lake, SD 57656-0133.
PO Box 133, Timber Lake, SD 57656-0133, Timber Lake, SD 57656 | 605-865-3681 - Douglas Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Armour, South Dakota, serving Douglas County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-724-2846; mail or visit PO Box 28, Armour, SD 57313-0028.
PO Box 28, Armour, SD 57313-0028, Armour, SD 57313 | 605-724-2846 - East Pennington Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Wall, South Dakota, serving eastern Pennington County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-279-2451; mail or visit PO Box 308, Wall, SD 57790-0308.
PO Box 308, Wall, SD 57790-0308, Wall, SD 57790 | 605-279-2451 - Edmunds Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Ipswich, South Dakota, serving Edmunds County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-426-6701; mail or visit PO Box 25, Ipswich, SD 57451-0025.
PO Box 25, Ipswich, SD 57451-0025, Ipswich, SD 57451 | 605-426-6701 - Elk Creek Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Sturgis, South Dakota, serving the Elk Creek area landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-347-4952; mail or visit 2202 W. Main Street, Sturgis, SD 57785-1338.
2202 W. Main Street, Sturgis, SD 57785-1338, Sturgis, SD 57785 | 605-347-4952 - Fall River Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Hot Springs, South Dakota, serving Fall River County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-745-4007; mail or visit 342 S. Chicago Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747-2323.
342 S. Chicago Street, Hot Springs, SD 57747-2323, Hot Springs, SD 57747 | 605-745-4007 - Faulk Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Faulkton, South Dakota, serving Faulk County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-598-6549; mail or visit PO Box 489, Faulkton, SD 57438-0489.
PO Box 489, Faulkton, SD 57438-0489, Faulkton, SD 57438 | 605-598-6549 - Grant Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Milbank, South Dakota, serving Grant County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-432-6570; mail or visit 1102 S. Dakota St., Ste. 2, Milbank, SD 57252-5700.
1102 S. Dakota St., Ste. 2, Milbank, SD 57252-5700, Milbank, SD 57252 | 605-432-6570 - Gregory Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Burke, South Dakota, serving Gregory County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-775-2770; mail or visit PO Box 339, Burke, SD 57523-0399.
PO Box 339, Burke, SD 57523-0399, Burke, SD 57523 | 605-775-2770 - Haakon Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Philip, South Dakota, serving Haakon County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-859-2186; mail or visit PO Box 130, Philip, SD 57567-0130.
PO Box 130, Philip, SD 57567-0130, Philip, SD 57567 | 605-859-2186 - Hamill Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Winner, South Dakota, serving the Hamill area landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-842-0603; mail or visit 113 S Madison St. #100, Winner, SD 57580-1313.
113 S Madison St. #100, Winner, SD 57580-1313, Winner, SD 57580 | 605-842-0603 - Hamlin Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Hayti, South Dakota, serving Hamlin County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-783-3353; mail or visit PO Box 165, Hayti, SD 57241-0165.
PO Box 165, Hayti, SD 57241-0165, Hayti, SD 57241 | 605-783-3353 - Hand Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Miller, South Dakota, serving Hand County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-853-2410; mail or visit 118 E Second Street, Miller, SD 57362-1407.
118 E Second Street, Miller, SD 57362-1407, Miller, SD 57362 | 605-853-2410 - Hanson Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Alexandria, South Dakota, serving Hanson County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-239-4635; mail or visit PO Box 176, Alexandria, SD 57311-0176.
PO Box 176, Alexandria, SD 57311-0176, Alexandria, SD 57311 | 605-239-4635 - Harding Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Buffalo, South Dakota, serving Harding County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-375-3216; mail or visit PO Box 265, Buffalo, SD 57720-0265.
PO Box 265, Buffalo, SD 57720-0265, Buffalo, SD 57720 | 605-375-3216 - Hughes Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Pierre, South Dakota, serving Hughes County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-224-1694; mail or visit 1717 N Lincoln Ave., Ste. 103, Pierre, SD 57501.
1717 N Lincoln Ave., Ste. 103, Pierre, SD 57501, Pierre, SD 57501 | 605-224-1694 - Hutchinson Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Menno, South Dakota, serving Hutchinson County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-387-5539; mail or visit 415 N Access Rd., Menno, SD 57045-2117.
415 N Access Rd., Menno, SD 57045-2117, Menno, SD 57045 | 605-387-5539 - Hyde Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Highmore, South Dakota, serving Hyde County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-852-2221; mail or visit PO Box 484, Highmore, SD 57345-0484.
PO Box 484, Highmore, SD 57345-0484, Highmore, SD 57345 | 605-852-2221 - Jackson Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Kadoka, South Dakota, serving Jackson County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-837-2242; mail or visit PO Box 457, Kadoka, SD 57543-0457.
PO Box 457, Kadoka, SD 57543-0457, Kadoka, SD 57543 | 605-837-2242 - Jerauld Conservation District
Local conservation district office in Wessington, South Dakota, serving Jerauld County landowners with soil, water and tree programs. Phone 605-539-9232; mail or visit PO Box 328, Wessington, SD 57382-0328.
PO Box 328, Wessington, SD 57382-0328, Wessington, SD 57382 | 605-539-9232
Plus 29 more. Find yours on your county's page in the South Dakota directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.