Partners & Affiliates

The Portage County SWCD works with a wide array of conservation partners including those from not for profits and private and public sector groups/organizations. These groups are very important partners in the Districts goals of promoting the conservation of natural resources. Follow the links to learn more about who they are and what they do. 

United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)

NRCS provides America's farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only helping the environment but agricultural operations, too. 

National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is the nonprofit organization that represents America’s 3,000 conservation districts and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. Conservation districts are local units of government established under state law to carry out natural resource management programs at the local level. Districts work with millions of cooperating landowners and operators to help them manage and protect land and water resources on private and public lands in the United States.

NACD’s mission is to promote the wise and responsible use of natural resources for all lands by representing locally-led conservation districts and their associations through grassroots advocacy, education and partnerships.

Northeast Ohio Public Involvement Public Education (NEOPIPE)

The Northeast Ohio Public Involvement Public Education (NEO PIPE) work group is a regional consortium of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, conservation organizations and other government agencies committed to improving water quality in Northeast Ohio.  Since 2002, NEO PIPE has been collaborating to effectively develop and provide regional resources to increase public awareness of storm water issues and opportunities to protect our shared waters.

NEO PIPE creates a unified message by collaborating across political boundaries, helping its communities meet the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program requirements and leveraging government funds and local resources more efficiently.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA)

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is a trusted leader and environmental steward using innovation, quality service and public involvement to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all Ohioans.

Ohio EPA's goal is to protect the environment and public health by ensuring compliance with environmental laws and demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

A department of incredible diversity, ODNR owns and manages more than 590,000 acres of land including 74 state parks, 21 state forests, 136 state nature preserves, and 117 wildlife areas. The department also has jurisdiction over more than 120,000 acres of inland waters; 7,000 miles of streams; 481 miles of Ohio River; and 2-1/4 million acres of Lake Erie.

In addition, ODNR licenses all hunting, fishing, and watercraft in the state and is responsible for overseeing and permitting all mineral extraction, monitoring dam safety, managing water resources, coordinating the activity of Ohio's 88 county soil and water conservation districts, mapping the state's major geologic structures and mineral resources, and promoting recycling and litter prevention through grant programs in local communities.

As an umbrella organization for such diverse interests, the department pulls all these activities into four fundamental mission components:

• Resource management by sustained productivity of Ohio's renewable natural resources, promoting the wise use of non-renewable natural resources, and protecting Ohio's invaluable threatened and endangered natural resources.
• Economic development through job creation/expansion/retention, stimulating local economies, developing industry and tourism opportunities, and supporting the present and future economic health of the state.
• Recreation by providing leisure services and recreation opportunities for the public at all levels.
• Health and safety through fair and consistent law enforcement participating in regulatory matters and identifying and responding to environmental hazards.

The Ohio State University Extension 

Ohio State University Extension brings the knowledge of the university directly to you. We fulfill the land-grant mission of The Ohio State University by interpreting knowledge and research developed by Extension and other faculty and staff at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State main campus, and other land-grant universities – so Ohioans can use the scientifically based information to better their lives, businesses and communities.