What San Mateo Resource Conservation District does

San Mateo Resource Conservation District (San Mateo RCD) is a public agency and Resource Conservation District established under California law in 1939, headquartered in San Mateo County, California. The organization delivers environmental conservation services across five core practice areas: wildlife conservation, water resource management, climate initiatives, agricultural support, and fire management. It serves private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and government and nonprofit partners — including California State Parks, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, NOAA Restoration Center, CAL FIRE, and NRCS — through on-site technical assistance, conservation planning, permitting support, and direct project implementation. Service delivery is geographically concentrated in San Mateo County with selected expansion into the broader Santa Cruz Mountains region.

The underlying operating model is grant-funded professional services rather than a technology product. Core technology consists of standard enterprise tools (Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, Adobe Acrobat) with no proprietary platform. Revenue flows almost entirely from federal, state, and county government grants — most recently a $650k San Mateo County Board of Supervisors allocation in June 2025, an $11M State of California award in August 2023 for water storage and salmon habitat, and a $5.3M CAL FIRE award in February 2020 for forest health and fire resiliency across San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties. Services are provided to landowners at no direct cost, with expenses covered by grant funding and public appropriations, making the RCD structurally dependent on continued government appropriations rather than commercial customer revenue.

Notable project work includes the 541-acre Pescadero Creek County Park Forest Health Project, 4.2 acres of stage-zero floodplain creation at Butano Creek, restoration of 40+ miles of steelhead habitat, and 3 million+ cubic feet of new water storage capacity. The organization operates as a locally governed public agency subject to public meeting, open records, and audit requirements, with partnerships described by NOAA as collaborative problem-solving on complex multi-stakeholder conservation initiatives.

Name

San Mateo Resource Conservation District

Legal name

San Mateo Resource Conservation District

Website

https://sanmateorcd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Mateo Resource Conservation District is a California public agency established in 1939 that delivers wildlife, water, climate, agricultural, and fire resilience services to landowners, farmers, and government partners in San Mateo County and the Santa Cruz Mountains, funded primarily by government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

Keywords

• Natural resource conservation
• Habitat restoration services
• Watershed management services
• Wildfire risk reduction
• Agricultural conservation assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Half Moon Bay

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue stream from federal, state, and local government grants for conservation, habitat restoration, water management, and forest health projects. Examples include NOAA funding, CAL FIRE grants, and state water storage grants.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

San Mateo Resource Conservation District is a locally governed public conservation agency that delivers on-the-ground natural resource management services across San Mateo County. Its core offerings cover wildlife and habitat conservation, water resource management, climate action, agricultural support, and wildfire risk reduction, executed through technical assistance, planning, permitting support, and direct implementation of conservation projects on private and public lands.

Product overview

San Mateo Resource Conservation District is a government conservation district (established 1939) that offers a portfolio of environmental and natural resource services rather than a unified technology product. The core service offerings include Wildlife Conservation, Water Management, Climate Initiatives, Agriculture Support, and Fire Management. These services are delivered through specific project-based initiatives such as the Johnston Ranch Habitat Enhancement Project, Pescadero Marsh Restoration, Butano Creek Floodplain Enhancement, and various forest health and fuel reduction projects. The organization operates as a local government agency focused on conservation outcomes rather than a technology platform or software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Conservation Wildlife conservation services protecting over 40 species of plants and animals at risk of extinction in San Mateo County through habitat restoration, species recovery, and protection programs.
• Water Management Water resource management services ensuring clean and reliable water in San Mateo County for fish, farms, and people through watershed conservation and water infrastructure projects.
• Climate Initiatives Climate programs reducing greenhouse gas emissions, removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere through carbon sequestration, and preparing communities and wildlife habitat for resilience to extreme weather.
• Agriculture Support Agricultural services helping farmers and ranchers ensure viable local agriculture while also helping agriculture benefit the environment through carbon farming, irrigation efficiency, soil health, and water security improvements.
• Fire Management Wildfire risk reduction services working with communities to reduce catastrophic fire risk, improve forest health through shaded fuel breaks and forest management, and heal the land after fire.
• Johnston Ranch Habitat Enhancement and Water Supply Improvement Project Project-based habitat enhancement and water supply improvement service protecting streamflow in Arroyo Leon Creek, enhancing riparian habitat for wildlife, addressing chronic erosion, and improving water security for agricultural operations at Johnston Ranch.
• Wurr Road Culvert Repair Project Culvert repair project stabilizing failing road crossings on Bloomquist Creek and Peterson Creek, restoring safe road access while reducing erosion and sediment delivery to downstream waterways in the Pescadero-Butano Watershed.
• Pescadero Marsh Habitat Restoration and Resiliency Project Habitat restoration project delivering habitat, resiliency, and water quality benefits for the Pescadero marsh and lagoon system through culvert removal, levee excavation, and channel restoration.
• Butano Creek Backfield Floodplain and Streamflow Enhancement Project

Quantifiable outcome

• Restored access to 40+ miles of habitat for threatened steelhead through stream crossing improvements
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for stewardship of coastal lands. POST and RCD collaborate on floodplain restoration, habitat enhancement, and agricultural land conservation projects including Butano Creek restoration and Johnston Ranch projects.
• Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on habitat restoration and water storage projects. MROSD and RCD collaborate on San Gregorio Creek enhancement projects and other conservation initiatives on open space lands.
• County of San Mateo Department of Public WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on infrastructure and watershed projects including culvert repair projects (Wurr Road at Bloomquist Creek and Peterson Creek), sediment reduction, and flood management throughout the county.
• California Department of Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Pescadero Marsh restoration, Butano State Park forest health projects, Pescadero Creek County Park enhancements, and other projects on state park lands.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose partnership described as 'like family.' NRCS and RCD work together on behalf of farmers providing conservation planning, technical assistance, and access to federal programs for environmental stewardship.
• NOAA Restoration CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on salmon habitat restoration projects. NOAA Restoration Center works with RCD on coho salmon and steelhead recovery efforts in San Mateo County watersheds.
• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on streamflow enhancement and fish habitat projects. Collaborated on Peters Creek Stream Flow Enhancement and Butano Creek Backfield Floodplain projects for salmonid recovery.
• TomKat RanchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on regenerative ranching and carbon sequestration. Collaborated on Regenerative Ranching 101 educational series and carbon farm planning initiatives.
• Point Blue Conservation SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on regenerative ranching education and conservation planning. Partner in the Regenerative Agriculture and Conservation Planning webinar series.
• California FarmLinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on regenerative ranching education series, helping agricultural producers access conservation programs and sustainable agriculture resources.
• CAL FIREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on forest health and fire resilience projects. CAL FIRE provides grant funding and partners on community wildfire protection and forest management.
• Amah Mutsun Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on vegetation management at Quiroste Valley Cultural Preserve, combining cultural, ecological, and fire resiliency benefits.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST): Regional land trust actively partnering with San Mateo RCD on coastal land stewardship, floodplain restoration, and habitat enhancement. Comparable in mission scope and donor/foundation funding profile, with strong overlap in San Mateo County projects.
• Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District: A neighboring California RCD serving Santa Cruz County with overlapping mandates in watershed restoration, agricultural conservation, and forest health. Operates under the same California RCD legal framework, providing a direct structural and operational comparison.
• Marin Resource Conservation District: California RCD serving Marin County with parallel services in habitat restoration, water resource management, and agricultural support. Shares the same statutory foundation and grant funding mix as San Mateo RCD, making it a near-perfect functional peer.
• Trout Unlimited: National nonprofit focused on coldwater fisheries conservation, actively partnering with San Mateo RCD on coho salmon and steelhead recovery in local watersheds. Comparable in stream restoration expertise and federal grant capture (NOAA, USFWS).

Emerging players

• Point Blue Conservation Science: California-based conservation science organization partnering with San Mateo RCD on regenerative ranching and conservation planning. Comparable in applied conservation science focus but operates at a larger geographic scale across the Pacific Flyway.
• California FarmLink: California nonprofit supporting agricultural land access and viability, partnering with San Mateo RCD on regenerative ranching education. Comparable in serving small agricultural producers with conservation-oriented technical assistance.
• TomKat Ranch: California regenerative ranch and educational center partnering with San Mateo RCD on carbon sequestration and ranching demonstration. Comparable in applied land management and educational programming but structured as a private ranch rather than a public district.

Regional players

• Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD): Regional public agency managing open space preserves on the San Francisco Peninsula, partnering with San Mateo RCD on habitat restoration and water storage. Comparable in public conservation mandate but with significantly larger landholdings and budget.
• San Mateo County Parks Department: Local public agency managing parks and natural areas across the same geographic footprint where San Mateo RCD operates. Co-manages projects like Pescadero Creek County Park and is both a partner and overlapping service provider for habitat and fire resilience work.

Broad incumbents

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - California: Federal agency described as a 'like family' partner that provides conservation planning, technical assistance, and federal program access for California farmers. Operates at vastly greater scale nationwide but functions as both funder and collaborator for the RCD model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sanmateorcd
• Instagraminstagram.com/sanmateorcd
• Xx.com/SanMateoRCD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Mateo Resource Conservation District