The first step for a landowner to voluntarily participate in any NRCS or Caldwell-Travis SWCD conservation program is to become a cooperator.

Cooperators are individuals who have signed a District cooperator agreement. This document verifies that the individual seeks to “cooperate” with District efforts to preserve natural resources by developing and managing their lands in ways that reflect best practices for land and water, as well as through good management and stewardship practices.

The District assists cooperators in meeting their land use goals by providing technical assistance and in some cases financial assistance through a variety of available funding sources and cost-share programs.

In providing cooperators with technical assistance, the District coordinates with its partner, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. District staff can help cooperators learn about NRCS programs available to them, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that provides financial assistance to landowners and managers to help them install conservation practices addressing resource concerns.

To learn more about becoming a district cooperator, contact the office.