Primary Focus. Resource Concerns (1) It is important to keep in mind that locally led conservation must be driven by natural resource conservation needs rather than by programs. Its primary focus should be to identify natural resource concerns, along with related economic and social concerns. Once the natural resource concerns are identified, appropriate Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental program tools can be used, both individually and in combination, to address these resource concerns and attempt to meet the established goals of the community stakeholders. 500.2 Locally Led Leadership and Public Involvement A. Locally Led Leadership (1) While there is a wide range of groups that may be in a position to lead a local conservation effort, conservation districts, under State or Tribal law, are charged with facilitating cooperation and agreements between agencies, landowners, and others; developing comprehensive conservation plans; and bringing those plans to the attention of landowners and others in their district. Thus, conservation districts are experienced in assessing resource needs, determining priorities, and coordinating programs to meet those needs and priorities. (2) Conservation districts are the logical group to coordinate locally led conservation due to their connections to Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments; private resources; and the public. Therefore, further discussion of the locally led effort presumes that districts will provide primary leadership; however, leadership can come from any willing and interested group. (3) Refer to section 500.10 for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) guidance document, "Locally Led Conservation: An Overview for Conservation Districts." B. Public Involvement (1) Input from a broad range of agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals in the local area that have an interest in natural resource management and are familiar with local resource needs and conditions is an essential element of locally led conservation. These representatives should reflect the diversity of the residents, landowners, and land operators in the local area. (2) The NACD documents "Locally Led Conservation: An Overview for Conservation Districts" and "Conservation District Board Member Recruitment and Community Outreach Guide" provide suggested guidelines for public outreach efforts and ways to reach out to underserved communities. C. NRCS Role and Responsibilities NRCS will support the locally led conservation effort by— (i) Providing assistance in identifying conservation needs. (ii) Providing technical and program advice to the community stakeholders throughout the effort. (iii) Assisting in developing and implementing strategies to include socially and economically disadvantaged groups in the locally led effort. Note: It is not the responsibility of the designated conservationist to lead the locally led effort. NRCS's task is to support the process and provide technical information upon request.
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Samples: Cooperative Agreement, Cooperative Agreement, Cooperative Agreement