United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Colorado Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content

 

Alamosa RC&D Office

San Luis Valley RC&D
2205 State Avenue
Alamosa, CO 81101-3559
(719) 589-3907
Fax: (719) 589-0613

Who We Are

RC&D is an independent non-profit organization. Our mission reads: Provide technical and educational assistance to local people in conserving and developing the resources of the area communities it serves. We were created for this purpose by the SLV County Commissioners, local towns, and cities, SLV Soil Conservation districts, and Water Conservancy Districts.

RC&D has good working relationships with various federal, state, local agencies and organizations. We use these relationships to work towards conserving your natural resources and improving the quality of life in our region.

Leadership for the RC&D Council comes from the County Commissioners, Soil Conservation Districts, towns and cities. James Mietz is the RC&D Coordinator, and Carol Gurule is the RC&D Secretary.

Resource Conservation and Development Objectives

The RC&D Council concentrates on comprehensive planning in working towards its objective. The Council identifies and plans projects within its boundaries. The RC&D Council acts independently in making decisions that have local effects.

The RC&D Council has identified six major goals that will bring about orderly development and utilization of the regions human and natural resources. These goals will be the major focus of the RC&D program for the next few years:

The San Luis Valley (SLV) RC&D

1. Initiates and promotes programs responsive to community needs by:

  • Creating education, social and employment opportunities for the people of the San Luis Valley.
  • Improving the quality of the natural resources for future generations.
  • Promoting and seeking advocacy for RC&D programs through appropriate news channels.
  • Managing all SLV lands to enhance the economy and environment.

2. Demonstrates effective management

3. Practices accountable financial management

4. Establishes fundraising to support programs

5. Conducts community assessments (i.e.- in March of 2003) in order to plan and implement a marketing strategy.

How We Work

The RC&D Council seeks answers to local problems wherever they may be found. To accomplish our objectives, the RC&D Council staff will seek expertise from federal, state, and local agencies. The RC&D Council will ask for and use other resources (from private foundations, large corporations, consultants) to help our citizens. From these diverse groups and local concerned citizens, the RC&D Council will form teams of committed, success-oriented people called Resource Committees.

A Resource Committee will be formed for each objective. The RC&D staff and Resource Committee will write an ACTION-ORIENTED plan to work towards the stated objective. The cooperation and teamwork of committee members is of utmost importance to improve the quality of life in your community.

The SLV RC&D provides assistance to citizens in cities, towns, rural areas, and on farms by one more of the following methods. Individuals, municipalities, organizations, or businesses receiving RC&D services will be directly involved as their particular project proceeds. The RC&D Staff and Resource and Committee provide:

1. SPECIFIC DETAILED TECHNICAL HELP

We work with clients to take any action necessary to bring together the appropriate government services, private sector specialists, or others to solve specific technical problems.

2. ORGANIZATIONAL HELP

We will work with clients who wish to identify and address problems of concern to the (entire) RC&D Area and will help develop broad objectives and strategies.

3. INFORMATION/EDUCATIONAL HELP

We work with clients to conduct conferences, seminars, tours, demonstrations, or other educational activities and develop various learning or promotional materials.

4. GRANT WRITING HELP

We work with clients to develop grant proposals for foundations, corps, state agencies, and federal programs to fund locally needed projects. 

5. REFERRAL HELP

For requests which RC&D cannot effectively address, the staff will refer the situation to the appropriate agency or group.


The SLV RC&D succeeds because it is not political and does not have bureaucratic restrictions.

Staff:

James D. Mietz  RC&D Coordinator
 Carol Gurule     RC&D Secretary