Whether you manage a farm, forest, backyard, or community space, we can help you care for your land and water and strengthen our community’s resilience and food security. Our team offers free or low‑cost technical assistance, connects you to funding programs, and helps you navigate projects from idea to implementation. 

You can read about our services below or request a site visit to get started.

Habitat Restoration, Native Planting & Climate Resilience

We support habitat projects on working lands and in neighborhoods that improve wildlife habitat, cool streams, and make our communities more resilient to floods and heat. We can help you with:

• Assessing your site and identifying restoration and resilience opportunities
• Recommending native trees and shrubs that stabilize banks, shade streams, and support pollinators
• Planning and preparing sites, including invasive plant management options
• Developing planting and maintenance plans that are realistic for your time and budget
• Connecting you to nurseries, local plant sales, and volunteer support when available

Typical projects include:

• Riparian buffers to reduce erosion, improve water quality, and cool streams
• Wetland and upland habitat that also stores floodwater and protects infrastructure
• Pollinator and songbird habitat in farm fields, field edges, and village settings

Forestry, Agroforestry & Land Management for Working Lands

We help landowners plan and manage forests, fields, and other natural areas in ways that support production and conservation while keeping local farms and forests viable over the long term. We can provide technical assistance for:

• Forest and woodland stewardship to improve forest health and reduce risk (pests, storms, drought)
• Agroforestry practices such as alley cropping, silvopasture, and riparian buffers that combine trees, crops, and/or livestock
• Pasture and hayfield management to improve soil health, forage quality, and resilience to extreme weather
• Managing field edges and natural areas for wildlife, pollinators, and shade for animals

These practices support farm profitability, soil health, and long‑term food security in our region. 

Water Quality, Flood Resilience & Farmstead Improvements

Our district works with landowners and partners to protect local waterways and reduce damage from flooding and runoff. We can:

• Recommend practices to reduce erosion, runoff, and nutrient loss from fields, yards, and farmsteads
• Help address mud and manure issues around barns and high‑traffic areas
• Discuss drainage and small‑scale stormwater and flood resilience options (e.g., buffers, culverts, driveway improvements)
• Explore livestock management options that protect water quality and animal health

These improvements protect land, infrastructure, and downstream communities; and help keep farms operating after major storms. 

Conservation, Resilience & Food Security Planning

If you’re not sure where to start, we can help you see the “whole picture” of your land, operation, and community connections. We can:

• Walk your land with you to identify soil, water, habitat, infrastructure, and climate‑related concerns
• Discuss how your land or farm fits into local food systems and emergency food access (farm stands, CSAs, aggregates, community spaces)
• Develop conservation and resilience practice recommendations tailored to your goals
• Help you figure out how to:
  • Reduce risk from flooding, drought, and extreme weather
  • Keep production going after disruptive events
  • Support local food access (e.g., production, storage, distribution partnerships)

We can also provide or interpret maps (soils, aerial imagery, topography, land use) to support your planning and, when needed, basic information for permit or program applications.

Food Security & Community Resilience Projects

In addition to one‑on‑one landowner support, we partner on projects that connect land stewardship with local food access and community resilience. Examples of how we may be able to support you or your community:

• Planning and technical assistance for:
  • Community or school gardens
  • Food access hubs or distribution sites on conservation or municipal lands
  • Farm projects that increase local food supply while improving soil and water.
• Connecting farmers and landowners to: 
  • Emergency or resilience‑focused funding opportunities
  • Peer cohorts and trainings focused on climate resilience and financial viability.
• Partnering with local organizations to:
  • Host workshops or cohort meetings on resilient land management
  • Gather community input on climate, land use, and food security needs.

Support for these projects depends on current grants and staff capacity, but we’re always interested in hearing your ideas.

Funding, Programs & Project Development

Many resilience and food security projects rely on a mix of technical help and financial support. We can:

• Discuss which state, federal, and local programs may fit your conservation or resilience project
• Coordinate with NRCS and other partners to connect you with cost‑share and incentive programs
• Help you scope projects, think through realistic timelines, and develop a basic budget
• Provide letters of support and limited grant planning assistance when appropriate