Little Colorado Resource Conservation& Development Area, Inc.

51 West Vista Dr. #4, Holbrook, Arizona 86025 (928) 524-6063 ext. 5 Fax: (928) 524-6609

e-mail: karen.slade@rcdnet.net www.littlecolorado.org

The decision making body, called the Council, determines the social, economicand environmental problems and issues relevant to the east-central Arizonaservice area. The Council does this with assistance from local, state, andfederal agencies, and other organizations. The Little Colorado RC&D servicearea includesSouthernNavajo and Apache Counties. Webelieve grassroots leaders can effectively solve issues affecting theircommunities problems. The Little Colorado RC&D brings diverse groupstogether to collaboratively solve mutual problems. Through these partnership webring additional resources to our service area.

History

The Little Colorado RC&D was organized in 1971 to address theconservation and development of natural resources. During the early yearsemphasis was placed on water resources and soil erosion projects. More recently,the Council has placed a higher priority on community and rural economicdevelopment with sustainable natural resource based industry. The missionstatement and goals reflect the new direction the Council is pursuing.

TO SUPPORT PARTNERSHIPS PROVIDINGLEADERSHIP IN NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN EAST-CENTRALARIZONA COMMUNITIES.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT- Develop and improve infrastructure and services inrural communities.

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-Develop sustainable natural resource basedindustries.

CAPACITY BUILDING - Assist local leaders to address rural development issues.

CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES - Promote conservation, development, andsustained use of land, water, plant, and animal resources.

HISTORICAL RESOURCES - Protect and develop cultural and historic sites andnatural features for recreation and tourism.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES - Promote conservation, development, andsustained use of land, water, plant, and animal resources.

Since 1992 the Little Colorado RC&D has sponsored five grant writing workshops training 150 people. This has brought additional resources to meet needs in rural Arizona.

Organized the Northern Arizona Sustainable Forest Partnership. A collaborative partnership of industry, environmental and government to promote ecological based forest initiatives which serves to promote sustainable forest health, employment and provide opportunities for economic diversification.

The partnership brought together the necessary resources to engage Dr. Richard Mirth and Dr. Debra Larson of Northern Arizona Universitys College of Engineering and Technology to author a study titled "Potential for Using Small Diameter Ponderosa Pine Resources in Arizona." This study has been the basis for our continued projects.

 

Organizational Strengths

The Little Colorado River Plateau RC&D demonstrates strength as aneffective grassroots rural development organization, Including addressingproblems and opportunities from a multi-county perspective.

One characteristic that distinguishes the Little Colorado RC&D from otherrural development organizations is its ability to build partnerships. Solvingcomplex resource issues occurs because individuals or organizations find commonground. These common issues revolve around social, economic and environmentalconditions in the community or region. Through this linkage collaborationevolves.

Perhaps the most important services provided by the Little Colorado RC&Dis something that does not really appear on the surface. Helping local peopleget organized, fully evaluating the problem or situation, and advising the localpeople where they can go for help with their specific problems are key elementsto making the program effective. All sources of technical and financialassistance are explored, then a concerted effort is made to obtain the neededassistance to make the project a reality.

Specific services include project planning, meeting facilitation, grantproposal writing, strategic planning, and grant-writing workshops. The LittleColorado RC&D initiates projects consistent with the strategic plan. TheCouncil places a high priority on projects and issues impacting the entireservice area. We provide technical assistance to our: sponsors, nonprofitorganizations, and concerned citizens when compatible with the Little ColoradoRC&D Strategic Plan.

Sponsors and other organizations desiring assistance can make a request inwriting to the Council. Projects that can best be addressed by others, or wherecollaboration is not needed or possible, are referred to other organizations.All programs and services of the Little Colorado RC&D are offered on anondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin,religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap.

The RC&D is a strong grass roots movement. Local people who are willingto work together enables the programs success. Local people deserve thecredit for their dedication to improving their communities. Many times just alittle bit of encouragement, guidance or support is needed to get a projectgoing. The Little Colorado RC&D governing body is a Council made up ofrepresentatives from 15 sponsoring organizations.

Sponsors include county boards of supervisors, city and town councils,conservation districts, and Native American Nations. Sponsors appoint volunteerrepresentatives that make up the RC&D Council.

The Board of Directors is made up of the president, vice-president,secretary, treasurer and directors. This Board meets frequently to oversee theoperations of the Little Colorado RC&D. The primary method assistance isprovided to sponsors is through Action Teams.

Community leaders along with stakeholders organize an Action Team to activelyaddress community issues. Leaders with diverse backgrounds join together tocollaborate. The Action Team is responsible for implementing activities thataddress the problem. The Board of Directors signs all contracts and theTreasurer serves as the fiscal agent.

The principal staff members include a Coordinator, Project Director andAdministrative Assistant. The Coordinator is provided through partnership withUSDA , and functions as the Councils Executive Director. The Project Director isresponsible for grant writing and keeping projects on time and on budget. TheAdministrative Assistant provides support to the Coordinator and the ProjectDirector and handles the general office management duties.

Funding for the Little Colorado RC&D comes from three sources: Fifteensponsors and other organizations contribute annual dues; projects are fundedthrough grants from state, federal and private foundations; and individual andbusiness contributions are accepted. Each year the Council contracts with acertified public account to complete an audit that complies with nonprofitaccounting standards. Also, the Council submits to the IRS Form 990.