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Caribbean Area RC&D Councils

Updated 06/30/2008

The NRCS Caribbean Area supports three Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils: the El Atlantico, El Caribe, and Virgin Islands RC&Ds. These RC&Ds are part of a national network of 375 RC&D Councils located in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. The El Atlantico and El Caribe RC&Ds serve about 3/4 of the island of Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands RC&D Council serves the entire U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island).

RC&D Councils effectively develop partnerships with governmental, non-governmental and private organizations, bringing together needed resources to get the job done! These alliances provide the necessary tools that allow each RC&D to accomplish its particular goals and objectives, giving local people the opportunity to solve their own problems. Additionally, RC&Ds are able to acquire technical and financial support from government agencies, private companies, foundations, institutions and individuals.

The NRCS RC&D program assists these locally-led, community development and natural resources conservation organizations that combine people, rural development needs, opportunities, and solutions. NRCS provides office space, a coordinator, and a secretary to support the RC&D Councils;  but the El Atlantico, El Caribe, and Virgin Islands RC&Ds are independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations incorporated under local law.

Virgin Islands RC&D Selected for 2008 U.S. EPA Environmental Quality Award!
Virgin Islands RC&D Success Story: "Greening" Storm water with Rain Gardens

What We Do

The El Atlantico, El Caribe, and Virgin Islands RC&Ds serve as frameworks for local individuals, groups, businesses, and units of government to cooperate regionally to meet common needs and tackle common problems.  RC&Ds bring diverse groups of people together to work toward common goals.  The Councils serve local sponsors by helping them locate potential technical and financial assistance sources as needed to implement projects. 

Examples of RC&D Assistance

Rural Economic Development
  • Seek new or expanded markets for our natural resource products
  • Promote value-added industries
  • Promote regional tourism
  • Promote new cooperative opportunities
  • Promote quality job creation


    • El Atlantico RC&D Council member visits a restaurant during a 2005 market survey.
    Organizational Help
  • Assist with establishing or strengthening local groups organized to address a specific resource problem
  • Provide leadership development training
  • Provide organizational capacity-building training
    		•

    St. Croix citizens form recycling association sponsored by V.I. RC&D (Feb. 2007).
    St. Croix citizens form recycling association sponsored by V.I. RC&D (Feb. 2007).
    Technical Help
  • Provide technical assistance to develop and implement locally-identified resource conservation and/or development projects such as pollution prevention, habitat protection, soil and water conservation, and trail development
  • Help find and facilitate agency, organization, and private sector assistance

    • View of Jobos Bay area under-going a Rapid Watershed Assessment for aquifer protection sponsored by El Caribe RC&D(2007).
    View of Jobos Bay area under-going a Rapid Watershed Assessment for aquifer protection sponsored by El Caribe RC&D(2007).
    Referral Help
  • Serve as clearinghouses of technical and financial assistance information
  • Refer requests to the proper agency, organization, or private consultant
    		•

    A typical pig farm in the mountains of Puerto Rico requesting conservation technical assistance from El Atlantico RC&D.
    A typical pig farm in the mountains of Puerto Rico requesting conservation technical assistance from El Atlantico RC&D.
    Funding Help
  • Assist members, sponsors, partners and other clients to develop funding proposals to foundations, corporations, or government agencies

    • Grant writing training sponsored by V.I. RC&D in St. Croix & St. Thomas in March 2006.
    Grant writing training sponsored by V.I. RC&D in St. Croix & St. Thomas in March 2006.
    Information and Education
  • Sponsor field days, tours, demonstrations, seminars and programs to help landowners and others learn more about managing their "bottom line," whether that is dollars, jobs, products, or the resource itself (soil, water, air, plants, animals).
  • Provide natural resources and/or agricultural off-island training opportunities to youth, farmers and artisans
  • Provide environmental education opportunities to youth and adults
    		•

    Virgin Islands youth attended 2007 Georgia Natural Resources Conservation Workshop through Urban & Community Forestry grant awarded to V.I. RC&D.
    Virgin Islands youth attended 2007 Georgia Natural Resources Conservation Workshop through Urban & Community Forestry grant awarded to V.I. RC&D.

    RC&D Council Executive Board

    RC&D Councils are directed by action-oriented planning and decision-making Boards that lead local program efforts. Councils serve as a catalyst or "change agent" for the multi-county RC&D Areas. RC&D Councils are made up of elected and appointed leaders representing cities, counties, community or economic development organizations, interested individuals and conservation districts.  Councils oversee the direction and operation of the El Atlantico, El Caribe, and Virgin Islands RC&Ds and work closely with project sponsors, government agencies, and other organizations.

    Caribbean Area RC&Ds Contact Information

    El Atlantico RC&D El Caribe RC&D Virgin Islands RC&D (VI RC&D)
    Caribbean Cinemas Annex Bldg.
    1562 Miramar Ave., Suite 201
    Arecibo, PR 00612-2863
    Tel: 787-817-2473
    Fax: 787-816-5367    		 Ponce USDA Service Center
    Santa Marķa Shopping Center, Suite 251
    471 Ferrocarril Street
    Ponce, PR 00731
    Tel: 787-841-3136/3140
    FAX: 787-841-3217    		 St. Croix USDA Service Center
    5030 Anchor Way, Suite 2
    Christiansted, VI 00820-4692
    Tel: 340-692-9632 x5
    Fax: 340-692-9607
    Email: vircd@usvircd.org
    Website: www.usvircd.org

    National Association of RC&D Councils
    USDA-NRCS RC&D Program

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