Puget Sound Conservation District Caucus Priorities and Next Steps


Adopted October 27, 2014


This document presents the Puget Sound Conservation District Caucus’ priorities for the period 2015-2017, and action steps for each priority.


Programs and Services

The Puget Sound Conservation District Caucus works together to develop, fund, and implement programs and services that engage land managers in solutions that build community, foster stewardship, and restore and maintain Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.

2015-2017 Priorities:

  1. Small acreage and livestock programs and services
  2. Forest health management programs and services (rural and urban)
  3. Aquatic area protection and enhancement programs and services (marine and freshwater)
  4. LID and other green stormwater infrastructure programs and services
  5. Sustainable, equitable, and resilient regional food system
  6. Fix failing septic systems to protect and restore shellfish
  7. Incorporate an engaging outreach and communication strategy into each program and service
  8. Connect Caucus priorities to regional priorities such as the Puget Sound Partnership’s (PSP) Action Agenda. Develop common language for local Near-Term Actions (NTA).

Next Steps:

  1. Finish developing Portfolio of Regional Program and Services descriptions:
    1. Establish and staff work groups
    2. Bring draft materials to full Caucus for review
    3. Connect programs to existing PSP NTA and regional strategic initiatives
    4. Identify District programs that can support new NTA and regional strategic initiatives
  2. Identify short and long term actions for each program
    1. Develop these in work groups
    2. Bring draft materials to full Caucus for review
  3. Create a procedure and timeline for incorporating these programs/services into member Districts’ annual work plans and five-year strategic plans
    1. With Caucus input and direction, Shana to develop draft for review
    2. Edit and adopt
    3. Each Caucus member is responsible for following the procedure and timeline
  4. Create PSCDC annual work plan and five-year strategic plan
    1. Develop these in work groups
    2. Bring draft materials to full Caucus for review
    3. Have work plans inform both WSCC and WACD work planning
  5. Create PSCDC annual work plan and five-year strategic plan
    1. Establish work group to identify funding opportunities and opportunities for proactive engagement with funders
    2. Bring draft materials to full Caucus for review
    3. With Caucus input and direction, create templates for grant applications
    4. Shana/WSCC to provide grant-writing and other support, including keeping track of funding opportunities. Individual Districts may also take on specific tracking duties.

Regional and Statewide Engagement

The Puget Sound Conservation District Caucus works together to achieve conservation objectives at the regional and statewide levels.

2015-2017 Priorities:

  1. Create a common language to describe conservation district priorities
  2. Develop a business plan, and a business case for investing in Caucus activities
  3. Create a bold communications strategy and engagement platform to raise literacy around what Conservation Districts stand for
  4. Develop and communicate Caucus perspectives on policy proposals
  5. Strengthen partnership with WSCC and WACD
  6. Identify and engage other strategic partners that support the mission, vision, and goals of the Caucus

Next Steps:

  1. Create work group to develop common language, business plan, and business case
    1. Develop these in work groups
    2. Bring draft materials to full Caucus for review
  2. Create work group to develop communications strategy and engagement platform
    1. Develop these in work groups
    2. Bring draft materials to full Caucus for review
  3. Discuss whether to pursue creating seats on PSP or other regional boards for the Caucus
    1. Create and prioritize a list of regional forums of interest
    2. Decide whether Caucus needs a seat, or if WSCC could represent Caucus there
    3. Pursue membership as appropriate
  4. Policy proposals:
    1. Follow Operating Procedure protocols to comment on legislative proposals
    2. Work with WSCC and WACD to identify other policy proposals of interest, and follow Operating Procedures to develop Caucus positions
    3. As needed, develop Caucus policy proposals.
  5. Strengthen relationship with key partners
    1. Provide WACD with ideas on how to focus its limited resources to support Caucus activities
    2. Schedule a conversation between the Caucus Chair and the WACD Board to discuss how the Caucus and WACD can work together
    3. Schedule a conversation between the Caucus Chair and WSCC to discuss how the Caucus and WSCC can work together
    4. Work with WACD and WSCC on reaching out to other conservation districts across the state to achieve conservation objectives
    5. Clearly communicate to WSCC and WACD the PSCD Caucus priorities and activities
  6. Identify and engage other strategic partners
    1. Identify key strategic partners and the rationale for the strategic relationship
    2. Identify opportunities for proactive engagement
    3. Develop engagement plans for strategic partners
    4. Engage strategic partners
    5. Establish long-term action plans with strategic partners