Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD)

What Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) does

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Waitsfield, Vermont, that serves as the statutory coordinating body for Vermont's 14 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCDs). Established under Vermont's Soil Conservation Act, the NRCD system itself dates to 1939, while VACD was incorporated between 1980 and 1983. VACD operates with approximately 18 employees and a small leadership team spanning executive, deputy, communications, grants/finance, agriculture programs, and NRCC administration functions.

VACD's program portfolio includes block-grant mechanisms such as the Enhancement Development, Design, and Implementation Block Grant (EDDIBG) and the Clean Water Project Development Block Grant; education programs such as Envirothon (a high school environmental competition serving over 2,000 students since 1996) and the RAP Quiz; on-the-ground conservation initiatives such as Locally Led Conservation, Trees for Streams, Rural Fire Protection (dry hydrant installation in 235 towns), Tree/Plant/Trout Sales, and VAWQP Regional Coordination Support; and technical service offerings including FAA Part 107-licensed Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) operations, GIS and spatial analysis, portable skidder bridge rentals, and Local Fund Pool administration.

VACD's revenue model is dominated by government grants (primarily USDA NRCS, with $4.4M secured for FY2026 Local Fund Pools and $1.5M via RCPP for Vermont Stream Restoration) supplemented by donations, modest fee-for-service hardware sales, and small program fees. Service delivery is channeled through a multi-tier partnership network including USDA NRCS, VTDEC, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, UVM Extension, LCBP, USFWS, NACD, and VAWQP, serving end customers across private landowners, agricultural producers, municipalities, fire departments, loggers, students, and the general public.

Name

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD)

Legal name

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts

Website

https://vacd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) is a Waitsfield, Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coordinates the state's 14 Natural Resource Conservation Districts, delivering grant-funded conservation, water quality, forestry, fire protection, and education programs to landowners, farmers, municipalities, and students statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK), Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Conservation services
• Watershed management
• Agricultural assistance
• Environmental education
• Rural fire protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Waitsfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Federal USDA NRCS Funding (Local Fund Pools): VACD and NRCDs secure federal funding through USDA NRCS for identified priority natural resource concerns. In FY2026, $4.4 million was secured across Vermont through Local Fund Pools, providing cost-share assistance to landowners for conservation practices.
2. State Block Grants (NRCC/DEC): The State Natural Resources Conservation Council (NRCC), administered through VACD, receives funding from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to administer the Enhancement Development, Design, and Implementation Block Grant Program (EDDIBG) and Clean Water Project Development Block Grants.
3. Donations and Contributions: VACD accepts offline donations by check and public contributions to support conservation programs. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all contributions are tax-deductible.
4. Tree, Plant, and Trout Sales: Annual tree, shrub, plant, and trout sales take place throughout Vermont each spring as district fundraisers and a resource for native species planting.
5. Portable Skidder Bridge Rentals: Rental of portable skidder bridges from Conservation Districts at $100 per month to protect waterways during logging operations.
6. Grants and Program Funding: VACD receives grant funding from various sources including USDA NRCS RCPP ($1.5 million grant for Vermont Stream Restoration), EPA/NEIWPCC/Lake Champlain Basin Program for Envirothon, and other federal and state grant programs.
7. Rural Fire Protection Grants: Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force, administered by VACD, provides grants up to $10,000 per project (with 25% local match) to towns and fire departments for dry hydrant installation and rural water supply improvements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

VACD is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that coordinates Vermont's 14 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCDs) to deliver free non-regulatory technical, financial, and educational conservation assistance to landowners, farmers, municipalities, and fire departments. It administers grant programs (EDDIBG, Clean Water Project Development), educational programs (Envirothon, RAP Quiz), equipment rentals (skidder bridges, hydroseeders), and the Rural Fire Protection Program, while connecting clients with federal USDA NRCS and Vermont state conservation cost-share programs.

Product overview

The Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that serves as the coordinating body for Vermont's 14 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCDs). Rather than a unified software product, VACD offers a portfolio of conservation programs and services including grant administration (EDDIBG, Clean Water Project Development Block Grant), educational initiatives (Envirothon, RAP Quiz), technical assistance programs (Locally Led Conservation, Trees for Streams, sUAS Program), equipment rentals (Portable Skidder Bridges), and emergency response services (Rural Fire Protection). These programs work together to provide landowners, farmers, and municipalities with technical, financial, and educational assistance for conservation of soil, water, forests, wildlife, and other natural resources across Vermont.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Enhancement Development, Design, and Implementation Block Grant Program (EDDIBG) Block grant program administered by NRCC/VACD in partnership with Vermont DEC to support project development activities for water quality and conservation improvements across Vermont.
• Clean Water Project Development Block Grant Grant program supporting development of new water quality projects through design and implementation phases, as part of the EDDIBG program.
• Envirothon

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 Vermont students have participated in Envirothon since 1996.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVACD operates its Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) program in partnership with NRCS, where VACD owns and operates UAVs and NRCS provides staff funding, office storage space, and conservation project proposals. This unique VACD-NRCS partnership has received national recognition for its innovation. NRCS also partners with NRCDs to deliver Farm Bill programs.
• Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTDEC provides funding to NRCC/VACD for the Enhancement Development, Design, and Implementation Block Grant Program (EDDIBG) and Clean Water Project Development Block Grants to support water quality improvement projects across Vermont.
• Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAAFM works with NRCDs to deliver agricultural programs including Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs), BMP cost-share, Farm Agronomic Practices (FAP), and nutrient management planning. OCNRCD's Nutrient Management Planning TA is funded by VAAFM.
• Vermont Fish and Wildlife DepartmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on aquatic organism passage restoration, habitat conservation, and wildlife management. Contributes to the Envirothon program and Winooski NRCD's culvert replacement initiatives for fish passage.
• Vermont Agricultural Water Quality Partnership (VAWQP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAWQP is composed of nine agencies and organizations providing education, technical, and financial assistance to Vermont farmers since 2012. VACD/NRCD staff support VAWQP Regional Coordination Services in Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southeast, and Southwest areas.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program collaborates on wetland and habitat restoration on private lands. In many instances, CREP costs may be 100% covered with help from USFWS.
• Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCBP provides funding and collaboration for water quality and conservation projects in the Lake Champlain Basin. LCBP is listed as a VACD partner and sponsor.
• Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task ForcecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVACD works with the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Task Force to assist local fire departments and towns in installing dry hydrants. Troy Dare serves as RFP Program Manager.
• Vermont Intervale CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner organization on VACD's website, supporting conservation and agricultural programs in Vermont.
• Farm to PlateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner organization, supporting Vermont's agricultural and food system goals.
• UVM ExtensionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUVM Extension is a key partner providing agricultural education and outreach, collaborating with NRCDs on farm programs and serving as a venue for Regional Coordination Meetings.
• Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANR is listed as a key partner, collaborating on natural resource management, watershed planning, and environmental protection across Vermont.
• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNACD is a national partner organization supporting state conservation districts and the Envirothon program.
• Billings Farm and MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvirothon program partner providing educational support for the Vermont Envirothon competition.
• Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvirothon program partner supporting natural resource education in Vermont.
• Watersheds United VermontmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWUV holds the Enhancement Riparian Buffer Grant (ERBG) and collaborates with NRCC on Trees for Streams riparian buffer planting funding.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vermont Land Trust: Vermont-based conservation nonprofit focused on farmland and forestland conservation; comparable in mission and Vermont geography, though focused on land acquisition/easements vs. conservation program delivery.
• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD): The national umbrella organization for state conservation district associations; directly comparable to VACD as the parent/state-level equivalent coordinating 3,000+ districts nationally with similar mission and structure.
• Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC): Vermont-based environmental advocacy and policy organization with similar focus on natural resource conservation, water quality, and working landscape protection.
• Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB): State-funded Vermont entity financing conservation easements and Farm Viability programs; comparable in Vermont conservation finance role and partnership with NRCDs.
• New Hampshire Association of Conservation Districts: State-level conservation district coordination body serving New Hampshire, the closest geographic peer with similar rural/agricultural conservation mission, USDA NRCS partnership model, and program portfolio.
• UVM Extension: University of Vermont extension service providing agricultural education, conservation technical assistance, and farmer outreach in Vermont; comparable in serving Vermont farmers and partnering with NRCS.
• Maine Association of Conservation Districts: State-level coordination body for Maine's soil and water conservation districts, comparable in rural New England agricultural conservation mission, USDA NRCS partnership, and program structure.
• Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP): Federal/state program addressing Lake Champlain water quality; comparable in water quality conservation focus in Vermont and partnership with VACD on stream restoration and riparian buffer programs.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Vermont): Vermont chapter of global conservation organization; comparable in environmental conservation mission, watershed work, and Vermont presence, though broader geographic scope and donor base.

Emerging players

• Trout Unlimited (Vermont): National coldwater conservation organization with active Vermont programs in stream restoration and riparian habitat; partial overlap with VACD's Trees for Streams and Vermont Stream Restoration initiatives.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9QA8ep2J9TiOVDqUnCZJGA
• Facebookfacebook.com/vtconservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vacd
• Instagraminstagram.com/vtconservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD)