Cawaco Resource, Conservation and Development Council
The Cawaco RC&D Council area is central Alabama. The Council’s name originates from the principal natural assets of the area, the Cahaba, Warrior and Coosa Rivers. This Council serves five Counties: Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker. Historically much of the area has been agriculture and heavy industry. Today rural land is being converted to residential and commercial uses as the metropolitan areas expand.
Our Mission: Leading Central Alabama in the wise use of natural and human resources.
CAWACO Works For Communities!
Cawaco works to support projects (educational or community development) that will make a significant difference.
Types of projects previously supported include:
| ♦ Educational Programs for Children and Adults ♦ Community Planning • Comprehensive Planning • Small Town Design Initiative • Ordinance Development ♦ Projects to Implement a Completed Community Plan • Gateways • Downtown Revitalization • Community Gardens and Local Farmers’ Markets ♦ Support of First Responders (small VFDs and police forces) |
For a peek at recent projects look at Success Stories.
What is a Resource Conservation and Development Council?
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils play an important role in the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources. RC&D Councils work to improve the general level of economic activity and to enhance the environment and standard of living in all communities. Councils provide a system of rural development to encourage the wise use of natural resources, and improve the quality of life in America.
Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging limited federal dollars.
For more information on the National RC&D Council www.rcdnet.org.
What is RC&D?
RC&D stands for Resource Conservation and Development. The purpose of the RC&D Program is to encourage and improve the capability of volunteer, local. elected and civic leaders in designated RC&D Areas to plan and carry out projects for resource conservation and community development.
RC&D is a unique program that is led by local volunteer councils. RC&D is a way for people to work together to plan and carry out activities that will make their area a better place to live. Such activities lead to sustainable communities, prudent land use and the sound management and conservation of natural resources.
Program objectives focus on “the quality of life” improvements achieved through natural resources conservation and community development. An RC&D Area usually covers several counties.
RC&D is a local program. The local RC&D council makes decisions. An RC&D Council may have representatives from County Governments, Municipalities, State Agencies, Comprehensive Planning Agencies, local groups, non-profit organizations, Conservation Districts and local interested citizens. RC&D Councils do receive federal funds and technical assistance. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the RC&D program.
- Why the emphasis on natural resources?
Utilization of the resources at hand, both natural and human, is central to the RC&D approach. Many resources are renewable – that is, they continue to replenish themselves if managed properly. Communities can acquire immediate benefits from developing such resources, and continue to have the same or greater benefits year after year by conserving the resources as they develop them.
- How can resource development provide more jobs for area residents?
RC&D can provide more jobs for area residents by expanding the existing economy or by stimulating new economic growth. Developing a dependable water supply, or protection from flooding, allows new industries to locate. The resultant factory payroll supports additional jobs in the service industries. By improving the economy, the environment, and the community facilities, an RC&D Area becomes a place where people are able to work and want to live.
- What agencies provide technical assistance?
Technical assistance is available from USDA agencies to RC&D areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture. Technical assistance is available for the planning and installation of approved projects specified in RC&D area plans for land conservation, water management, community development and environmental enhancement elements. The Technical Assistance supports the local initiatives rather than dictating it. It is locally led conservation at its best. Any agency may provide technical assistance. USDA agencies usually include:
- Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
- Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES)
- Economic Research Service (ERS)
- Farm Services Agency (FSA)
- Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
- Forest Service (FS)
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Rural Development (RD) Agencies
Other USDA agencies may participate in the RC&D Program. At the state level, the Cooperative Extension Service, State Departments, including those dealing with agriculture, natural resources, commerce, planning, and transportation usually assist. Many RC&D Areas received technical assistance from any credible source including universities, colleges and corporations.
Often, agencies assist by providing technical advisors to the council’s resource committees. The usual procedure is for the RC&D Council to ask all concerned agencies to attend a meeting. At the meeting, the council explains what it expects to accomplish through the RC&D project and asks agencies to designate representatives to serve as advisors to appropriate resource committees. The local RC&D Council is an important outreach for these agencies and their programs as well.
- How do citizens contribute to Area Planning?
The resource committees are composed of area citizens. Often, resource committees are set up on a county basis. They can contribute their knowledge and opinions. Local citizens explain what they see as their problems and opportunities and what they want to do about their community’s future. Newspapers and radio stations, service clubs, farm organizations, forestry associations, youth groups, chambers of commerce, historical societies, garden clubs, schools–anyone with something to contribute can become involved. Local residents know best what they need, want, and can achieve. It’s their community!
- What projects can be included in an RC&D Annual Plan?
Some projects deal with problems most areas face. Other projects reflect the character and needs of a specific area. An RC&D Council can support a project of another agency or group. For example, if a county historical society wants to declare a location as a historical site, the RC&D Council can adopt a resolution supporting the historical society’s proposal. Projects like these reflect the individual character of that area. They also reflect participation of local leaders and citizens in RC&D planning. There are 9 Councils in Alabama serving all 67 counties. Alabama’s RC&D Councils are among the most experienced, creative, and effective Councils in the United States.
As a result of the Councils’ work, problems have been recognized and addressed all over the spectrum. The Councils’ projects have addressed and are addressing much more than the critical Natural Resource issues.
A few highlights for Alabama:
- Senior Medications for those that cannot afford them (Senior Rx)
- Transportation for those coming out of welfare (Wheels to Work)
- Community Design (Your Town Alabama)
- Cooperatives that are marketing Alabama commodities all over the US, e.g. Deep South Foods
- Alternative Agriculture Enterprises such as Tilapia, Crawfish, Freshwater Shrimp, Mushrooms, Ginseng, Rabbits, Goats, Wineries
- Farm Preservation, Farmland Preservation, Open Space Preservation
- Conversion of animal waste into value added commodities, preserving water quality and creating new industries
- Environmental Education centers, outdoor classrooms
- Leading Watershed planning and restoration
- Phytoremediation, bioremediation
What did Alabama Resource Conservation and Development Councils do in 2009?
Total Alabama Impact: $11,525,344 (Includes Federal, Local and Organization Matching Funds)
- 350,959 Citizens Served (of which, 96,742 are socially or economically disadvantaged)
- 85 Local businesses created or retained in rural communities
- 268 Jobs Created: Non-Farm Related
- 93 Business Benefiting from New Technology
- 19,789 People Benefiting from New Technology
- 1,901 Acres of Recreational Area Established, Improved or Retained
- 46 Recreational Facilities Established, Improved or Retained
- 11 Historic Site Preserved / Restored
- 40 Acres of Cultural / Heritage Resource Preserved / Restored (11 sites)
- 115 Communities Assisted – a service Provided or Improved
- 17 Service Provided or Improved: Rural Fire Protection
- 64 Service Provided or Improved: Healthcare
- 213,042 Acres of Fish and Wildlife habitat Protected or Improved (Non-Federal Land)
- 110 Segments of Rivers & Streams Improved or Restored
- 202,680 Feet of Shoreline Protected