What is LandSmart®?

LandSmart is a regional collaborative program that helps land managers meet their natural resource management goals while supporting productive lands and thriving streams. LandSmart was developed by the Sonoma Resource Conservation District (RCD), Napa County RCD, Mendocino County RCD and Gold Ridge RCD in collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), land managers, and environmental agencies.

By working together, we can offer an enhanced program that draws upon the skills and expertise of each RCD. Through this collaboration we provide our communities with a unique, cost effective conservation service that is specific to the region and offered through a trusted and local organization.

About Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs)

RCDs are local public organizations that support voluntary and scientifically sound natural resource stewardship. RCDs provide technical and educational assistance to property owners/managers and other stakeholders to identify and achieve their natural resource and land management goals. Since the late 1930s, RCDs throughout the State of California have worked within their communities to facilitate productive landscapes and thriving natural systems.

There are 97 RCDs throughout California–each covers a different geographic territory and each is responsive and accountable to its community to promote local conservation goals. RCDs are primarily funded through competitive grants but some RCDs also receive funding from local property taxes, fee for service work, and private donations.

The LandSmart program is designed to:

• Assist land managers in meeting or exceeding environmental regulations,
• Provide technical assistance and financial support to plan and implement resource conservation practices, and
• Deliver opportunities for youth to be actively engaged in stewarding local resources.

 LandSmart® services are available in portions of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties and in all of Napa County. The map also shows the boundaries of each Resource Conservation District (RCD) and associated LandSmart services completed or currently in development.

Sonoma RCD

The Sonoma RCD covers 919,000 acres, or over 85% of Sonoma County, and includes the Russian River, Petaluma River, Sonoma Creek, Stemple Creek, and Gualala River Watersheds. District Maps

Gold Ridge RCD

Gold Ridge RCD covers the remaining 134,000 acres in the south west Sonoma County. The Estero Americano, Salmon Creek, Laguna de Santa Rosa, Dutch Bill, Green Valley Atascadero, Willow Creek, lower Russian River and coastal watersheds are within the District’s boundaries. District Maps

Napa County RCD

Napa county RCD covers over 500,000 acres in Napa and Solano Counties – all of Napa County and a small portion of western Solano County. The Napa River, Putah Creek, and Suisun Creek watersheds are within the District’s boundaries. District Maps

Mendocino County RCD

Mendocino County RCD covers 2,481,920 acres in Mendocino County. The Garcia River, Navarro River, Albion River, Big River, and the Noyo River are all contained within the County’s boundaries. The Upper Russian River, a portion of the Gualala River, and approximately 40% of the Eel River Watersheds are within the District’s boundaries. District Maps

To participate or learn more about LandSmart, please contact your local RCD.