Montana Hot Wire for Conservation Funding 2007

The conservationist should look forward to the New Year as a time for opportunity to further their objectives. The Montana Association of Conservation District MACD works in cooperation with the National Association of Conservation District to secure funding for worth while projects aimed at preserving and enhancing the natural resources of the land, water and health.

The MACD has been existence for 60 years and provides a vehicle for individual citizens to promote and enhance the natural resources of the state. It provides instruction on pesticides, saline removal and a myriad of services for Montana's land, animals and people. The structure of MACD is divided into six areas and one at large area. Within each area there are various districts that address the needs of local units.

For a detailed breakdown of the structure of MACD you may access it on-line at http://www.macdnet.org/ There is an administrative office in Helena, Montana that provides a small support staff for carrying on the objectives of the conservation districts. Anyone can be a member of a conservation district.

The overall mission of the Montana Association of Conservation District is to disseminate education, training and information relevant to land uses as well as legislative information that affects the member districts throughout the state. The Conservation Districts are minimally funded by a one and a half mill levy on real property, but this does not adequately fund the various programs and endeavors of MACD. Thus, the conservation districts must rely on state and federal grants and loans to achieve their objectives around the state. The following state and federal grant programs are provided for review in determining their application to various concerns of the Conservation Districts.

Federal Grants: