New Castle Conservation
District
"Dedicated to soil and water management"
The NCCD Office will be closed Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th. We will reopen on December 2nd at 8am.
NCCD History
Since 1944, we've use a voluntary, cooperative approach to resolve natural resource issues and get conservation on the ground. Over the past 30 plus years, the District has worked closely with state and locally elected officials to design and construct over $47 million dollars of community drainage, storm water management, erosion control, and flood mitigation projects. Local farmers and cooperators, in both traditional and urban settings, receive technical and financial assistance with waste management, nutrient management, drainage, cover crops, and many more conservation projects.
NCCD History
Since 1944, we've use a voluntary, cooperative approach to resolve natural resource issues and get conservation on the ground. Over the past 30 plus years, the District has worked closely with state and locally elected officials to design and construct over $47 million dollars of community drainage, storm water management, erosion control, and flood mitigation projects. Local farmers and cooperators, in both traditional and urban settings, receive technical and financial assistance with waste management, nutrient management, drainage, cover crops, and many more conservation projects.
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1935 - The Soil Conservation Act
In response to the devastating conditions plaguing the American Midwest throughout the 1920-30s, Congress passed the Soil Conservation Act in hopes to curb the outdated farm practices and resulting erosion. However it wasn't until two years later when President Franklin D. Roosevelt encouraged state governments to enact this legislation that the first Soil Conservation District was formed. (Photo: 1938- Gully on Drew Farm)
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1944 - New Castle Soil and Water Conservation District was Created
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State Legislature passes, creating the three conservation districts under the oversight of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Under this new state law the District becomes responsible for conservation efforts within the boundaries of New Castle County. (Photo: pre 1953-Helen Barrow Field Director, HL Bozz US Soil Service, Snyder)
The Early Years
In the beginning, the District was located near St. Peter's School in New Castle and provided financial and technical assistance was primarily to agricultural producers and other landowners interested in conserving soil and protecting water quality. (Photo: 1960-Middletown)
2002 - The Conservation Center
NCCD moved from People's Plaza to our current home at 2430 Old County Rd, Newark, DE 19702. Get Directions.
Our building also contains offices for :
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USDA Service Center
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Changing with the Landscape
As the county developed, programs and priorities reflected the changing suburban landscape. In 1973, the District voted and change names from the New Castle Soil and Water Conservation District to reflect the general aim of the District: preservation of our precious natural resources. Non-agricultural drainage, streambank erosion, and flood control projects became part of District activities. In 1977, NCCD moved to People's Plaza in Newark. (Picture: 1973-Barksdale Rd, Newark)
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New Castle Conservation District Today
Today, NCCD continues to address the diverse conservation needs of New Castle County. In 2018, we added urban agriculture programming to our pre-existing agricultural conservation and urban water management programs. We maintain a strong conservation education and continue to work on conservation projects, of every scale, to ensure the protection of our environment's resources. After 75 years, we still remain dedicated to soil and water management!
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