Vermont conservation districts ask legislature for $3 million base funding to stabilize operations

Representatives of Vermont’s conservation districts told the Natural Resources & Energy Committee on Feb. 13 they are asking the Legislature to provide $3 million in base operational funding to the Natural Resources Conservation Council, which distributes state funds to the 14 districts.

The request, the speakers said, would finance at least one full‑time paid position per district, board per diems, recruitment and training, and a full‑time staff member at the NRCC. “We really consider that $3,000,000 as, like, the bare minimum to fund district activities,” said Dan Hayman, district manager for the Winooski District.

Why it matters: Conservation districts act as local government subdivisions and are the “boots on the ground” that connect landowners and municipalities to…