Miami Valley RC&D

Coordinator: Larry Whitaker
Address:
777 Columbus Ave, Suite 5B
Lebanon, OH 45036
Tel.: (513) 695-1187
FAX: (513) 695-2943

Counties:
Butler, Clermont,
Clinton, Greene, Fayette,
Hamilton, Montgomery,
Preble, Warren

Click a County for a list of Executive Council Members.

Miami Valley Reserve Resource Conservation and Development Council "Making Things Happen"

Our Mission...
To sustain the region’s natural, human, and economic resources through the coordination of efforts to enhance the quality of life in local communities.

Our Vision...
"A Council that continues to be viewed as a local leader in the conservation and protection of our natural resources, and promotes a stable and diversified economy, improves human resources, and expands recreational and tourism opportunities in Southwest Ohio."

The Miami Valley RC&D Area

Located in Southwest Ohio, the Miami Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council area includes Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren Counties. This rapidly urbanizing region is faced with an increasingly scrutinized residential growth rate that must find ways to ensure that it meets the needs of its citizens, but also protects and preserves farmland, open space, and other important natural resources. Maintaining the agricultural vitality and environmental quality of the region is a major focus of the RC&D Council. Assisting area citizen groups and non-profit organizations in their efforts to carry out the identified needs of their communities is also a top priority to the Council.

About the Miami Valley RC&D Council

The Miami Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council is a Southwest Ohio nonprofit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization in June of 1993. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts and County Commissioners from each of the nine participating counties sponsor the Council. The RC&D was formed in 1992, and in February 1993 the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture announced funding for a full-time Coordinator and the establishment of a permanent office for the Miami Valley RC&D. The Council’s office is located in Lebanon, Ohio with Larry D. Whitaker of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service serving as RC&D coordinator. The Council holds four business meetings and one Council tour meeting annually, and holds six additional executive committee meetings to facilitate the Council’s business and to manage adopted projects.

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Miami Valley RC&D Project Activity

Some examples of Project activity include (click photo for larger image):

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECTS: Miami Valley RC&D has provided grant writing and organizational assistance, and direct funding to water quality and watershed management initiatives in SW Ohio. The Little Miami River Partnership (LMRP) has been a project of major support by the RC&D, as the Miami Valley was one of the initial founding organizations of the Partnership. The Council houses the Project Coordinator and serves as fiscal agent for the project.

PROVIDING ORGANIZATIONAL SERVICES AND STRATEGIC PLANNING ASSISTANCE: Miami Valley helps non-profit organizations, citizens groups, and units of government to better organize themselves and the projects that they are undertaking. This can entail strategic planning, the development of by-laws and articles of incorporation, or 501(c)3 applications to the IRS. Project development, fundraising, and grant writing are also provided.

THE LIVABLE LANDSCAPES CONSERVATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: The Council is a primary founder of this project, which was developed to encourage the widespread use of conservation "open space" residential designs. The concept permanently preserves natural areas while continuing to provide excellent areas for residential home sites. The project encourages changes in zoning and subdivision regulations to promote the acceptance of the concept.

PROMOTING RURAL FIRE PROTECTION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTYWIDE DRY HYDRANT PROJECTS: Miami Valley has promoted the adoption of non-pressurized fire hydrants for use in rural areas that don’t have access to an adequate supply of water for fire protection. The RC&D helps organize the fire districts in the counties, and identifies and writes applications to funding sources to carry out these projects.

SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HISTORICAL SOCIETIES AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS: The RC&D has always supported community improvement projects, particularly in small communities struggling to maintain the identity and heritage of the community. Saving buildings that demonstrate the history and character of those communities is vital. This entails project development, grant writing, and strategic planning services. These projects require dedication and community support.

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Other Miami Valley RC&D Project Activities:

• Providing grant writing, fundraising, and grant research training opportunities
• Providing grant writing assistance to Southwest Ohio non-profit and environmental organizations
• Managing and carrying out the goals for the Miami Valley RC&D Fund, an endowment established to support the operations of the RC&D and adopted RC&D projects

RC&Ds Succeed Because of a Strong Volunteer Base

The all-volunteer Miami Valley RC&D Council is responsible for directing the program at the local level. The Council membership consists of county commissioners (or their appointed representatives), Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, and private citizens representing local organizations and interests. The dedication of these volunteers is the key to Miami Valley RC&D’s success. The Council's responsibilities are:

• to provide opportunities for public input concerning RC&D goals and objectives
• to develop an Area Plan and work to accomplish identified priorities
• to form resource teams and committees to accomplish needed work
• to direct the activities of local, state, and federal personnel involved in RC&D projects
• to oversee administration of RC&D operations
• to provide citizens with information about RC&D projects

USDA's Resource Conservation & Development Program

In 1962, Congress passed the Food and Agricultural Act authorizing the Resource Conservation and Development program. The purpose of the program is to expand opportunities for conservation districts, county governments and individuals to improve their communities in multi-county areas through the formation of regional non-profit organizations. For every dollar appropriated by U.S. Congress, RC&D councils across the Nation leverage $14 from other sources for local guided projects. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service facilitates activities and provides technical assistance to RC&D councils across the nation.

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Partnering Makes Our Work Possible

The Miami Valley RC&D Council is a true partnership between private sector and all levels of government. In addition to the technical and organizational support from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Miami Valley RC&D works with ODNR, Divisions of Forestry and Soil and Water Conservation; Ohio EPA; Soil and Water Conservation Districts; U.S. EPA; U.S. Forest Service; Ohio State Cooperative Extension Service; Ohio Dept. of Agriculture; County Planning Departments; County Commissioners; and County Park Districts. The Council also works with non-profit organizations at the local, regional, and state level. Partnering organizations include: The Little Miami River Partnership, The Dayton Foundation, area historical societies, area convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, and local county farmland preservation taskforces. Contact the Miami Valley RC&D (see contact information below) for more information about assistance with your community projects.

Miami Valley Resource Conservation & Development Council
Office
777 Columbus Avenue Suite 5B
Lebanon, Ohio 45036-1684

Telephone: (513) 695-1187
FAX: (513) 695-2943
E-mail: mvrcd@go-concepts.com

Staff:
Larry Whitaker-  RC&D Coordinator
Dennis TenWolde- Coordinator, Little Miami River Partnership
David Collins - Administrative Assistant
Council Officers:
President- Cynthia Weitlauf, Hamilton County Grants Coordinator
Vice President- Mike Curry, Clinton County Commissioner
Secretary- Reed Madden, At-Large Representative
Treasurer- Edsel Harrison, Jr., Butler County SWCD Representative

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Miami Valley RC&D 2006 Council Directory

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