Conservation District Supervisors

A conservation district supervisor is a volunteer who serves the people, landowners, and communities within his or her district by observing, reporting on, advocating for and directing efforts to address natural resource issues within the community. District supervisors are public officials and are obligated to uphold high ethical standards.

A supervisor is knowledgeable about natural resource issues. They are familiar with the challenges facing their state and they know many of the people, businesses, organizations in the community who are affected by these issues, particularly those involved in farming and forestry. They also know which issues have the potential to affect the health and well-being of human and natural communities within their district.

Supervisors, who are landowners or land occupiers in the district, are nominated by the conservation district board to the State Conservation Committee for appointment. Upon approval, the SCC appoints the supervisor to a term of three years, with the term beginning August 1. The supervisor then serves on a five-person board of supervisors that guide the actions and efforts of the county conservation district. Associate supervisors are appointed by the district governing body as deemed necessary and serve without vote when there is a quorum of supervisors present and voting.

The district boards hold open meetings, usually monthly, where any landholder in the county can bring forth conservation concerns or request assistance from the district on matters related to soil, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. Supervisors work cooperatively with landowners, concerned citizens, local governments, community organizations, state and federal agencies and their fellow supervisors to address these matters by seeking out common ground and sensible solutions.

A New Hampshire conservation district supervisor's roles and responsibilities are defined by state law (RSA 432.16).