The district consists of all or parts of 11 counties on the eastern side of the State, encompassing the large parts of the Big Sioux River, Minnesota River and Upper Vermillion River watersheds. Financial support for the District is derived from limited taxing authority and local, state and federal grants. District priorities and program oversight is provided by a nine-member, elected Board of Directors. The Brookings Conservation District is an organization whose goals are to coordinate and promote the proper stewardship of all soil, water and other natural resources. In doing so, the District encourages and assists all farmers and landowners of Brookings County to conserve their natural resources.
Emphasis is placed on education, planning and the application of conservation practices.
The District promotes cooperation between urban groups and other units of government in their efforts to conserve our natural resources. One of the many responsibilities that is handled by the District is encouraging landusers to properly apply conservation practices which are practical and economically feasible. The District helps tailor their programs to each individual landuser's needs. The District advocates enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program and the Wetland Reserve Program to landusers in this area. The District provides support to landusers who seek technical assistance in enrolling in various government programs, helps the public with complying with the Sediment and Erosion control ordinance, and assists with securing state and local funding for specialized projects.