Walla Walla County Conservation District

What Walla Walla County Conservation District does

Walla Walla County Conservation District (WWCCD) is a local government entity established in 1941 under Washington State law (RCW 89.08) to deliver voluntary, locally-led conservation services across Walla Walla County, Washington. The organization serves agricultural landowners, rural and urban residents, and municipal governments with a portfolio spanning the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), agricultural burn permitting, irrigation efficiency upgrades, livestock management support, soil health, wildfire preparedness, urban riparian buffers, and drought preparedness planning. As the designated local permitting authority for agricultural burning and the county-level administrator of VSP and CREP, WWCCD operates as a non-regulatory one-stop shop for conservation services, combining free technical assistance with cost-share program delivery.

The organization employs approximately 10 staff and operates from a single office at 325 N. 13th Avenue in Walla Walla. WWCCD delivers services primarily through direct landowner engagement, on-site property visits, and grant-funded project administration, supported by a network of partnerships with the Washington State Conservation Commission, Department of Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Snake River Salmon Recovery Board, Recreation and Conservation Office, and academic/community organizations. Its technology footprint is minimal—limited to ArcGIS for watershed mapping, the Washington State Water Rights Tracking System, Google Analytics, and a Wix-hosted website—with no proprietary software or AI/ML capabilities.

WWCCD is funded primarily through state appropriations from the Washington State Conservation Commission, federal grants (NRCS, Department of Ecology), and pass-through state grant funding (Snake River Salmon Recovery Board, Recreation and Conservation Office). Fee-based revenue is negligible, consisting of cost-recovery charges such as burn permits ($3.75/acre with $37.50 minimum) and seed drill rentals ($100 for two days). Most landowner-facing services are provided free of charge, with revenue tied to public-sector funding cycles rather than commercial pricing.

Name

Walla Walla County Conservation District

Legal name

Walla Walla County Conservation District

Website

https://wwccd.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Walla Walla County Conservation District is a local government entity providing voluntary conservation services—including VSP, CREP, burn permitting, irrigation efficiency, and drought preparedness—to agricultural landowners, residents, and municipalities across Walla Walla County, Washington.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural and Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Planning, Mitigation Banking & Offset Strategy (EUAHAHAL), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Facilities Maintenance & Environmental Services (Waste, Water, Trail Maintenance, Restrooms) (THAAAGAI)

Keywords

• Conservation district services
• Voluntary stewardship programs
• Agricultural conservation assistance
• Riparian habitat restoration
• Water resource management

Headquarters

HQ city

Walla Walla

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. State Funding - Washington State Conservation Commission: Primary funding from Washington State Conservation Commission for administering the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP). The state provides administrative oversight and funding to support local work plans and conservation efforts.
2. Federal Grants - NRCS & Department of Ecology: Grant funding from federal and state agencies including Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) National Water Quality Initiative, Department of Ecology Floodplains by Design grants, and Snake River Salmon Recovery funding through the Recreation and Conservation Office.
3. Fee-Based Services: Minimal fee-based revenue from services including burn permits ($3.75 per acre with $37.50 minimum) and equipment rental (Dew Drop drill at $100 for 2-day rental). These fees are regulatory cost-recovery rather than significant revenue generators.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Walla Walla County Conservation District is a local government entity that delivers voluntary, locally-led conservation programs and technical assistance to agricultural landowners, residents, and municipalities in Walla Walla County. Its core offerings include administering the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), irrigation efficiency upgrades, burn permitting, seed drill rental, livestock management, soil health support, wildfire preparedness, urban riparian buffers, Heritage Gardens certification, and outdoor education through Explorer Packs. Most services are provided free of charge, with revenue sourced from state appropriations, federal grants, and nominal cost-recovery fees.

Product overview

Walla Walla County Conservation District (WWCCD) operates as a non-regulatory conservation organization offering a comprehensive suite of services organized into Agriculture, Instream, Riparian, and Residential categories. The core portfolio includes voluntary programs such as the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), equipment rental services like the Dew Drop Seed Drill, and technical assistance programs covering irrigation efficiency, livestock management, soil health, and wildfire preparedness. Educational offerings include the Outdoor Explorer Packs program and Grow for Nature resources. These services work together to help landowners protect natural resources while maintaining agricultural viability through incentive-based, locally-led conservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Walla Walla Drought Preparedness Plan: A collaborative initiative to develop a comprehensive drought preparedness plan for the Walla Walla River Basin addressing environmental, social, and economic impacts of drought conditions.

Products and services

• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Program engaging farmland owners as partners in restoring salmon habitat by compensating them for voluntarily planting native vegetation along salmon-bearing streams, creating riparian buffers between agricultural land and waterways. For agricultural landowners with riparian property.
• Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) Program enabling Walla Walla County to achieve natural resource laws through voluntary cooperation rather than regulation, allowing farmers to take credit for conservation work while avoiding regulatory mandates and accessing funding for additional farm-friendly natural resource projects. For agricultural landowners and farmers.
• Agriculture Burn Permits Permitting service for agricultural burning, including field burns, orchard tear-out, CRP renovation, and spot burning, issued in coordination with the Department of Ecology. Priced at $3.75 per acre with a $37.50 minimum. For agricultural landowners.
• Mill Creek Program Multi-objective watershed program working with landowners in the Mill Creek watershed to prevent flood damage, enhance habitat, and improve water quality through floodplain connectivity, engineered log jams, and riparian plantings. For landowners in the Mill Creek watershed and municipalities reliant on its water supply.
• Irrigation Efficiencies Program Cost-sharing program to improve on-farm water application and conveyance system efficiency, reducing water loss while preserving water rights. During the 2023-2025 biennium, the district implemented eight irrigation efficiency upgrades irrigating 374 acres and yielding 4.43 cubic feet/second of water savings. For agricultural landowners.
• Fish Screen & Water Meter Installation Assistance Program assisting landowners with fish screen installation and water meter requirements, helping protect juvenile fish from entrapment while documenting water usage to protect water rights. Funding is limited and requires grant applications. For agricultural landowners with water diversions.
• Dew Drop No-Till Drill Rental No-till drill rental service offering an easy-to-tow, three-foot-wide Dew Drop drill that can be towed with a 4-wheeler or UTV, with twin seed boxes for multiple cropping options including warm and cool-season grasses, grains, wildflowers, forbs, legumes, and food plot mixtures. Priced at $100 for a 2-day rental with $1/mile delivery. For agricultural landowners and seeders.
• Livestock Grants Program Non-regulatory resource for livestock and manure management questions with potential funding for eligible projects to help landowners address livestock impacts on water quality. For livestock operators and rural landowners.
• Soil Health Program Program expanding support for soil health projects and resources, collaborating with Washington State Department of Agriculture, WSU Extension, and Washington State Soil Health Initiative to collect baseline soil health data. For agricultural producers and soil health researchers.
• Wildfire Preparedness Program Program helping residents understand and reduce wildfire risk through educational resources and on-site risk assessments, including fuel reduction activities and defensible space creation. For rural and urban residents in Walla Walla County.
• Urban Riparian Buffers Program Program working with urban residents in Walla Walla and College Place to improve water quality and wildlife habitat by planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses along streams flowing through urban areas. For homeowners with streams on or near their property.
• Heritage Gardens Certification Garden certification program dedicated to creating water-wise gardens that incorporate native plants of Washington State, offering free site visits, customized plant lists, technical advice, and inspirational planting guides. Participants receive a free Heritage Garden sign upon certification. For urban residents and homeowners.
• Drought Preparedness Plan Initiative Collaborative initiative led by WWCCD to develop a drought preparedness plan for the Walla Walla River Basin, addressing environmental, social, and economic impacts of drought through community-driven planning. For municipalities, agricultural producers, and residents in the Walla Walla watershed.
• Outdoor Explorer Packs Educational program providing children K-12 with backpacks containing activities, tools, materials, guides, and maps for outdoor learning experiences about natural environments, housed at Walla Walla Public Library. For K-12 children and families.
• Grow for Nature Program Program providing resources for insects and pollinators, including Habitat in the Vineyard guide, Xerces Society resources, Bee Better Certified information, and plant selection guidance for restoration. For agricultural producers, residents, and restoration project leads.

Quantifiable outcome

• 175+ stream miles of riparian forest buffers planted through voluntary landowner participation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Washington State Conservation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead state administrator for the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP). Provides funding and administrative oversight for local conservation district operations and work plans. Coordinates statewide conservation efforts and ensures compliance with state environmental mandates.
• Department of Ecology (Washington State)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides grant funding for drought preparedness planning and Floodplains by Design projects. Co-regulator of agricultural burning with daily burn call decisions. Issues special permits for storm debris and large brush pile burning. Funded the Walla Walla Drought Preparedness Plan initiative.
• Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing technical assistance and funding through National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) and other conservation programs. Works with district on Mill Creek watershed water quality improvements, livestock management, and farm conservation practices.
• Farm Service Agency (FSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program administrator for CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program). Provides federal program oversight and enrollment administration for voluntary riparian restoration on farmland.
• Snake River Salmon Recovery BoardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding source for Mill Creek salmon habitat restoration. Focuses on 2-mile reach between Last Chance Road Bridge and Wallula Avenue Bridge for Mid-Columbia steelhead recovery. Coordinates regional salmon recovery efforts.
• Tri-State SteelheaderssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner organization for urban riparian buffer programs. Helps connect residents with stream protection resources and provides implementation support for backyard conservation projects.
• Washington State Department of AgriculturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with district on soil health data collection and baseline soil health initiatives. Part of Washington State Soil Health Initiative coordinating regional soil health efforts.
• WSU ExtensionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for soil health data collection and agricultural research. Provides extension education and technical resources for farming community.
• Washington Water TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides educational resources on water rights and Washington State water law. Supports drought preparedness planning through technical resources on water rights tracking and management.
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate ConservationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides educational resources and guidelines for pollinator habitat, cover cropping for beneficial insects, and bee poisoning reduction. Referenced as a resource for the Grow for Nature program.
• Bee Better CertifiedsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertification program partner for pollinator-friendly farming operations. Referenced as resource for farmers interested in creating habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Snake River Salmon Recovery Board: Regional salmon recovery organization that is both a funder of and operational peer to WWCCD's Mill Creek restoration work. Comparable in salmon habitat restoration mission within the same hydrological region.

Broad incumbents

• Washington State Conservation Commission: State-level umbrella agency that funds and oversees all 45 Washington conservation districts, including WWCCD. Operates one tier above WWCCD but is the closest analog as the statewide coordinating body for the same programs.
• National Association of Conservation Districts: National nonprofit that represents all 3,000+ conservation districts across the U.S. Provides the policy, funding, and training infrastructure under which WWCCD operates. Comparable as the federal-level institutional peer.

Direct peers

• Palouse Conservation District: Neighboring Washington State conservation district serving Whitman and Latah counties with an analogous portfolio of CREP, VSP, irrigation efficiency, and riparian restoration work. Most comparable peer given identical statutory structure and overlapping agricultural watershed.
• Columbia Conservation District: Washington conservation district in the lower Snake River basin offering the same voluntary stewardship, CREP, and irrigation efficiency services. Comparable scope and customer base of agricultural landowners.
• Benton Conservation District: Adjacent Washington conservation district serving the Tri-Cities and Benton County area with the same VSP, CREP, and irrigation efficiency mandate. Highly comparable given shared WRIA 32 watershed geography.

Emerging players

• Tri-State Steelheaders: Regional nonprofit partnering with WWCCD on urban riparian buffers and salmon recovery. Operates a comparable community-based habitat restoration model in the same Columbia-Snake geography.
• Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Regional nonprofit coordinating fish and wildlife habitat restoration in Washington's Yakima Basin. Comparable mission and funding model (state/federal grants, landowner partnerships) within a parallel agricultural watershed context.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wwconservationdistrict
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walla-walla-county-conservation-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Walla Walla County Conservation District