Glades Soil and Water Conservation District

Established by the Florida Legislature, the Glades Soil & Water Conservation District, a governmental subdivision of the State of Florida, was established October 9, 1950 under Florida Statutes 582 by local residents for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the wise use, management and general conservation of the County’s soil, water and related natural resources. The District is committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Glades County through conservation of its natural resources.

The Glades Soil & Water Conservation District works closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) creating ways to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, convert irrigation systems and inform the public about conservation problems.

A Code of Ethics has been adopted by the district.  For Code of Ethics Information. View Code of Ethics Here.

The Glades SWCD operates under Florida Statutes 582 under the Florida Legislature.

Charter / creation document (Community development districts may reference Chapter 190, Florida Statutes – Community Development Districts, as the uniform charter, but must include information relating to any grant of special powers)Statute or statutes under which the special district operates, if different from the statute or statutes under which the special district was established. Suggest including Chapter 189, Florida Statutes – Uniform Special District Accountability Act

History of Conservation Districts

The 1930’s Dust Bowl disaster drove the United States Congress to declare soil and water conservation a national policy and priority in 1935; in order to obtain the support of landowners on a local level. 
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Soil and water conservation districts serve as a liaison between federal government and local landowners to address conservation needs.

​​​​Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on all private lands and many public lands in the United States. 

Association of Conservation Districts- ​​​​(AFCD)There are 58 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Florida, all organized by local people for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the wise use, management and general conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. 

National Association of Conservation Districts- ​​The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts.

Glades Soil and Water Conservation District- In 1947 a petition was signed by Glades county landowners and sent to the State of Florida proposing the creation of a soil conservation district to serve Glades County.
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To see copies of the original paperwork click here.​​