What a Wyoming Conservation District Is
According to the Wyoming Department of Agriculture's conservation districts page, Wyoming has 34 conservation districts across 23 counties. The state legislature created them through an enabling act in March 1941. Districts direct programs that protect local renewable natural resources, and the department lists goals such as improving surface and groundwater quality, supporting watershed planning and building coalitions among natural resource users.
In plain terms, a conservation district is a local government entity run by your neighbors. Teton Conservation District, for example, describes itself as a local government entity founded in 1946 that works with the community to conserve water, wildlife, habitat, soil and other resources through local projects, partnerships, research and education.
What Districts Offer
Every district sets its own menu, so call yours. Three published examples show the range.
- Washakie County Conservation District. Its directory listing says it offers seedling trees and shrubs (including fruit and berry varieties), native plants, landscape fabric and composting bins. It also runs cost-share programs and grants for practices such as irrigation and soil conservation on rangelands, croplands and urban properties, holds waste and recycling events, assists with well water lab testing and offers education programs such as Ag in the Classroom.
- Laramie Rivers Conservation District. Its website menu lists an annual tree and shrub sale, a community enhancement grant, community garden plot rentals, landfill vouchers for tires and refrigerators, an equipment rental program, rural cost share, well and soil analysis cost share and a mill levy information page.
- Teton Conservation District. It reports a seven-person staff and describes its work as local projects, partnerships, research and education.
A 2022 opinion piece by the executive director of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts adds that districts do water quality sampling, soil sampling, tree planting and forestry management, and that district staff took a July 2022 surface water quality sampling certification training in Buffalo taught by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.
Equipment, Trees and Cost Share
If you are a landowner, these are the services most worth asking about:
- Trees and shrubs. Washakie and Laramie Rivers both list tree and shrub programs. Many districts run sales in spring, so ask early.
- Equipment rentals. Laramie Rivers lists an equipment rental program. Ask your district whether it has a drill, sprayer or similar equipment for loan.
- Cost share. Washakie and Laramie Rivers both advertise cost-share funds. Ask what practices qualify, how much is available and whether you must apply before work starts.
- Water and soil testing. Washakie assists with well water lab testing and Laramie Rivers lists a well and soil analysis cost share.
Funding and Supervisors
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture lists three state funding sources for districts: Water Quality Grants, Base Funding and Lab Funding. The 2022 opinion piece says some districts receive mill levy revenue, some are funded by their counties and others rely on grant revenue.
Teton Conservation District offers a clear example of the mill levy. Its article says voters have approved the Conservation District Tax by majority vote every four years since 1998 on the general election ballot. The district can request up to one mill of assessed property value annually, and the board chose to collect 0.6 mill in the year covered.
Districts are governed by supervisors who appear on the ballot. In 2022, three Teton Conservation District supervisor seats were up in the November 8 election, with four candidates. The state department keeps supervisor election records and offers certification training modules for district officials, and it works with the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts on training, funding and supervisor elections.
How to Find and Contact Your District
- The Wyoming Department of Agriculture's page lists a District Maps page under About Us, then Board of Agriculture. That is the place to confirm which district covers your land.
- The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts directs readers to conservewy.com for a list of districts.
- If you cannot find your district, call the Wyoming Department of Agriculture at 2219 Carey Avenue, Cheyenne, phone (307) 777-7321.
- Washakie County's district can be reached at 307-347-2456, extension 101, in Worland. Teton Conservation District lists (307) 733-2110.
Several counties have more than one district, since 34 districts cover 23 counties, so do not assume your county line is your district line.
Practical Tips
- Call before you plan a project. Cost-share funds and tree orders often have deadlines.
- Ask about the district's mill levy and board meetings. Meetings are a good place to learn what is available.
- If you are interested in serving, ask when supervisor seats next appear on the ballot.
- Bring maps or parcel numbers when you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many conservation districts does Wyoming have?
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture says 34 districts across 23 counties.
When were Wyoming conservation districts created?
The legislature created them through an enabling act in March 1941.
How are districts funded?
Some districts receive mill levy revenue, some are funded by their counties and others receive grants, according to the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts.
Can I get cost-share money for irrigation or soil work?
Washakie County says its cost-share programs support practices such as irrigation and soil conservation. Ask your own district what it offers.
Wyoming Listings Covered by This Guide
- Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts and Wyoming Water Association Convention
Joint annual convention of conservation district supervisors and water managers at the University of Wyoming Conference Center.
Laramie, WY Official event details - Campbell County Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Gillette that works with Powder River Basin ranchers around Gillette on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Gillette, WY - Cody Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Cody that works with Shoshone River irrigators near Cody on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Cody, WY - Converse County Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Douglas that works with North Platte landowners around Douglas on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Douglas, WY - Crook County Natural Resource District
Locally governed conservation district based in Sundance that works with Black Hills and Belle Fourche area ranchers on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Sundance, WY - Dubois-Crowheart Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Dubois that works with Upper Wind River valley ranchers near Dubois on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Dubois, WY - Hot Springs Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Thermopolis that works with Bighorn River landowners around Thermopolis on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Thermopolis, WY - Lake DeSmet Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Buffalo that works with Buffalo-area landowners in the Clear Creek watershed on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Buffalo, WY - Laramie County Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Cheyenne that works with dryland and irrigated producers east of Cheyenne on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Cheyenne, WY - Laramie Rivers Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Laramie that works with Laramie Plains ranchers and the Laramie River watershed on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Laramie, WY - Lincoln Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Cokeville that works with Bear River valley ranchers around Cokeville on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Cokeville, WY - Lingle-Fort Laramie Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Torrington that works with irrigators in the northern Goshen County valley on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Torrington, WY - Little Snake River Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Baggs that works with Little Snake River ranchers near Baggs on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Baggs, WY - Lower Wind River Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Riverton that works with irrigated farms in the lower Wind River basin on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Riverton, WY - Medicine Bow Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Medicine Bow that works with sheep and cattle ranchers in the Medicine Bow area on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Medicine Bow, WY - Meeteetse Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Meeteetse that works with Greybull River ranchers around Meeteetse on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Meeteetse, WY - Natrona County Conservation District
Conservation district serving Natrona County landowners and ranchers from Casper.
Casper, WY - Niobrara Conservation District
Lusk-based conservation district working with Niobrara County ranchers on soil and range resources.
Lusk, WY - Niobrara Conservation District Garden Program
Garden program in Lusk growing vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers for school lunches and local food efforts in Niobrara County.
Lusk, WY - Niobrara County Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Lusk that works with Lusk-area ranchers and Niobrara County range managers on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Lusk, WY - North Platte Valley Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Torrington that works with North Platte River irrigators around Torrington on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Torrington, WY - Platte County Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Wheatland that works with Wheatland-area irrigators and rangeland owners on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Wheatland, WY - Platte County Resource District
Platte County natural resource district headquartered in Wheatland and serving local producers.
Wheatland, WY - Popo Agie Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Lander that works with Lander-area landowners along the Popo Agie River on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Lander, WY - Powder River Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Kaycee that works with Middle Fork Powder River ranchers near Kaycee on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Kaycee, WY - Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District
Conservation district in Powell serving irrigated farmland along the Clarks Fork in Park County.
Powell, WY - Powell-Clarks Fork Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Powell that works with Clarks Fork valley farmers around Powell on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Powell, WY - Saratoga-Encampment-Rawlins Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Saratoga that works with upper North Platte valley landowners near Saratoga on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Saratoga, WY - Sheridan County Conservation District
Sheridan County conservation district assisting landowners with water, soil and grazing projects.
Sheridan, WY - Shoshone Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Lovell that works with eastern Big Horn Basin farmers near Lovell on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Lovell, WY - South Big Horn Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Greybull that works with Greybull-area irrigators and rangeland managers on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Greybull, WY - South Goshen Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Torrington that works with southern Goshen County irrigators and dryland farmers on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Torrington, WY - Star Valley Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Afton that works with Star Valley dairy, hay and cattle producers on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Afton, WY - Sublette County Conservation District
Pinedale conservation district serving Sublette County ranches and hay meadows.
Pinedale, WY - Sweetwater County Conservation District
Rock Springs conservation district supporting Sweetwater County livestock and range operations.
Rock Springs, WY - Teton Conservation District
Jackson Hole conservation district handling natural resource programs for Teton County landowners.
Jackson, WY - Teton County Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Jackson that works with Jackson Hole landowners and small-acreage farms on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Jackson, WY - Uinta County Conservation District
Conservation district based in Lyman serving Uinta County producers.
Lyman, WY - Washakie County Conservation District
Worland conservation district working with Washakie County irrigators and ranchers.
Worland, WY - Weston County Conservation District
Locally governed conservation district based in Newcastle that works with Weston County ranchers near Newcastle on grazing, water and soil conservation projects.
Newcastle, WY
Plus 2 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Wyoming directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.