Our History

The Lava Beds Butte Valley Resource Conservation District (LBBVRCD) plays a vital role in conserving natural resources for private and public lands in northeastern Siskiyou and northwestern Modoc Counties. RCDs in California have their origins in the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s, ensuring that technical support and funding reached farmers and ranchers in need. In 1938, state legislation formally established these districts, governed by locally elected or appointed volunteers.

In 2006, two longstanding districts—Lava Beds RCD and Butte Valley RCD—consolidated to form the LBBVRCD, expanding its service area to over 1.3 million acres. The district served communities and landowners for many years before experiencing a period of inactivity due to limited funding and no staff.

In 2025, the board of directors appointed a volunteer District Manager who successfully reestablished essential compliance procedures and rebuilt key partnerships. These efforts have sparked the revitalization of the Lava Beds Butte Valley Resource Conservation District, positioning it to respond to pressing conservation challenges such as rising wildfire risk, juniper encroachment, and prolonged drought conditions. The renewed momentum reflects a growing commitment to coordinated, landscape-scale stewardship across the region.

Since its revival, LBBVRCD has successfully secured funding through technical assistance grants and organizational support, positioning itself as a critical partner in regional conservation. Today, with renewed momentum and local leadership, LBBVRCD is dedicated to supporting landscape-scale restoration, sustainable land stewardship, and community resilience.