What Mason Conservation District does

Mason Conservation District (MCD) is a non-regulatory political subdivision of Washington State, established in 1956 and headquartered in Shelton, WA. It provides free, confidential, and voluntary technical assistance to landowners and residents of Mason County across four program pillars: Better Backyards (residential stormwater, conservation landscaping, noxious weed removal), Better Farming (agricultural planning, VSP, soil health, food security), Better Forests (forest stewardship, wildfire assessments, contractor connections), and Better Water (riparian restoration, Shore Friendly Mason, salmon recovery). The district also coordinates salmon recovery as Lead Entity for WRIA 14 and partners with the Hood Canal Coordinating Council (WRIA 16) and Chehalis Basin Lead Entity (WRIA 22).

The district operates with approximately 25 staff spanning foresters, habitat biologists, agricultural program managers, an agroforester, a district engineer, environmental educators, AmeriCorps members, and a habitat restoration crew, plus a 5-member Board of Supervisors (3 elected, 2 appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission). Technology footprint is intentionally light: ArcGIS for noxious weed mapping, Smartsheet for surveys and volunteer sign-ups, and standard engineering tools for restoration design. No proprietary software, API, or mobile application is offered.

MCD is funded primarily through grants from federal agencies (EPA, USDA NRCS), Washington State agencies (Conservation Commission, WDFW, RCO, Department of Health), and local sources (Russell Family Foundation, Squaxin 1% Grant, Shelton Skookum Rotary). Earned revenue is marginal — an annual native plant sale (online storefront for on-site pickup) and small equipment rentals (some free to Mason County residents). The district's go-to-market is community-led: direct site visits, school-district partnerships reaching ~3,400 K-12 students annually, the 8+ organization Mason County Partnership coalition, and referrals from tribes (Skokomish, Squaxin Island), WSU Extension, and neighboring conservation NGOs.

Name

Mason Conservation District

Legal name

Mason Conservation District

Website

https://masoncd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mason Conservation District is a non-regulatory Washington State subdivision, founded 1956, providing free conservation technical assistance to Mason County landowners across forestry, agriculture, water, and residential programs, with a ~25-person staff coordinating salmon recovery, K-12 education, and food security.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation District Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (115310)

SIC

Forestry (800), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Forest Ecosystem Services & Carbon/Conservation Programs (AFAMAAAJ)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Habitat restoration programs
• Watershed stewardship services
• Forest management planning
• Riparian restoration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Shelton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Grants and Government Funding: Mason Conservation District operates as a non-regulatory conservation agency funded primarily through grants from federal agencies (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USDA NRCS), state agencies (Washington State Conservation Commission, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Office), and local sources. The district receives no-cost services funding and some competitive grant programs (e.g., Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant, Food System Support Grant). The district also earns revenue from equipment rentals (e.g., scotch broom pullers, McLeod tools, poultry processing equipment) and native plant sales.
2. Native Plant Sales: The district runs an annual native plant sale offering bare-root trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and perennials for conservation purposes (wildlife habitat, streambank stabilization, stormwater management). Plants are sold in bundles of five; most are bare-root stock. Revenue is generated through direct sale transactions at the district office. A 10% discount is offered with code PLANT10 on orders over $75.
3. Equipment Rentals: The district rents equipment including scotch broom pullers (free to Mason County residents), McLeod tools, and poultry processing equipment. Revenue is generated through rental fees (though several equipment items are offered free of charge).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mason Conservation District delivers free, non-regulatory, voluntary technical assistance and conservation programs to Mason County, Washington landowners and residents. Its core offerings span residential backyard conservation, farm and livestock planning, private forest stewardship planning, and shoreline/waterway protection, supplemented by habitat restoration project implementation, an annual native plant sale, free equipment rentals (Scotch broom pullers, McLeod tools, poultry processing equipment), K-12 environmental education, and local food security programs (Farm to Food Pantry, Gleaning, Grow-A-Row, community gardens). The district is funded primarily through federal, state, and local grants.

Product overview

Mason Conservation District provides a comprehensive suite of conservation programs organized under four main pillars: Better Backyards (residential conservation), Better Farming (agricultural support), Better Forests (forestry services), and Better Water (waterway protection). The organization operates a Native Plant Sale store for conservation plants, offers free Equipment Rentals, and runs community food security programs including Farm to Food Pantry, Gleaning, and Grow-A-Row. Additional programs include Shore Friendly Mason for waterfront property owners, Salmon Recovery coordination across three watersheds, Riparian Restoration, Wildfire Assessment, Forest Stewardship planning, Noxious Weed Control, Soil Testing services, and Environmental Education Programs reaching K-12 students. Most services are provided free of charge to Mason County landowners and residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shore Friendly Mason: A Program for Marine Waterfront Homeowners that links waterfront residents with technical support and resources for shoreline management decisions.

Products and services

• Better Backyards Program
• Better Farming Program
• Better Forests Program
• Better Water Program
• Environmental Education Programs
• Native Plant Sale
• Equipment Rentals
• Shore Friendly Mason
• Riparian Restoration Program
• Salmon Recovery Coordination
• Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP)
• Wildfire Assessment
• Noxious Weed Control
• Soil Testing and Health Services
• Farm to Food Pantry Program
• Gleaning Program
• Grow-A-Row Program
• Community Gardens
• Restoration Project Bidding

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,400 K-12 students reached annually through environmental education programs across Shelton, Hood Canal, and Pioneer School Districts
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and USDA NRCScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Mason Conservation District received an Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant through a partnership with NACD and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The grant funded the 'Farms in Translation' program to assist veteran and beginning farmers with training and outreach to low and limited English proficient (LEP) farming communities, including building a food forest and community garden with the HOPE Garden Project.
• Hands on Personal Empowerment (HOPE) Garden ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020HOPE Garden Project, a local organization that engages youth by teaching through gardening, partnered with MCD to build a food forest and community garden under the NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant. The garden serves as a food resource for local residents and food banks, as well as a teaching garden for workshops offered to veterans, students, and the public.
• Washington State Conservation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020MCD received a Food System Support Grant through a partnership with the Washington State Conservation Commission. The grant funded the 'Mason-Shelton Food Chain - Linking Food to Families' program, including a gleaning program to collect excess fresh food from local farms, gardens, and markets for distribution to families in need. Additional grants from the Commission funded vegetable seed packet distributions at local events and a Farmers Market Assessment Survey.
• Pacific Shellfish InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacific Shellfish Institute (PSI) is a core member of the Mason County Partnership coalition, collaborating with MCD to deliver environmental education. PSI operates the touch tank station for Kindergarten field trips at Twanoh State Park and contributes to 4th grade shellfish farm field trips at Little Skokomum Shellfish Growers. PSI also assists with K-2 watershed education activities.
• Capitol Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapitol Land Trust (CLT) is a core member of the Mason County Partnership coalition. CLT provides the Hilburn Preserve for 6th grade field trips and the Bayshore Preserve for 7th grade field trips. CLT's Education and Outreach Coordinator collaborates with MCD on outdoor learning experiences focused on restoration and watershed education.
• South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group (SPSSEG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPSSEG is a core member of the Mason County Partnership coalition. SPSSEG delivers the 3rd grade Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail field trip where students observe salmon spawning, dissect salmon, and explore habitat and stewardship initiatives. SPSSEG also supports salmon recovery coordination and restoration projects in Mason County.
• Pacific Education Institute (PEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEI is a core member of the Mason County Partnership coalition. PEI provides the FieldSTEM educational framework that guides the outdoor learning experiences, ensuring they meet WA K-12 Integrated and Environmental Sustainability Learning Standards while incorporating career-connected, locally relevant, and field-based strategies.
• Puget Sound EstuariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuget Sound Estuarium is a core member of the Mason County Partnership coalition. The Estuarium operates touch tank stations at Kindergarten beach field trips, contributes to 4th grade shellfish farm field trips, and partners on 7th grade Bayshore Preserve field trips studying aquatic macroinvertebrates and marine life.
• Skokomish TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Skokomish Tribe, through Lisa Belleveau (Habitat Biologist), collaborates with MCD and the Mason County Partnership for the 2nd grade Skokomish Estuary field trip. The tribe provides guided hikes to explore native plant species, boardwalk observation activities, and cultural/historical education about the estuary's significance. The tribe also participates in salmon recovery efforts in WRIA 16 and WRIA 14.
• Squaxin Island TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Squaxin Island Tribe partners with the Mason County Partnership for 1st grade watershed education, teaching students how water travels through a watershed and the impacts of human activities on water quality and habitats, using the Enviroscape watershed model. The tribe also provides Squaxin 1% Grant funding for environmental education programs.
• The Evergreen State College - Center for Climate Action and Sustainability (CCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCAS at The Evergreen State College provides intern/externship opportunities for Mason Conservation District. Interns assist with K-12 environmental education programs, Farms in Translation, community gardens, and food security initiatives. CCAS provides work-study and internship coordination, academic credit (Individual Learning Contracts), and partial funding for AmeriCorps positions. The partnership provides MCD with additional staffing capacity while giving students real-world conservation experience.
• Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington DNR partners with MCD through the Mason County Partnership for the Mason County Forestry Education Experience (teacher training) and provides stewardship wildlife biologists, service foresters, and regulation assistance foresters that MCD refers landowners to. DNR also co-leads the Wildfire Ready Neighbors program and supports Firewise USA community applications.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWDFW participates in the Mason County Partnership and the 5th grade Forest Festival Field Day, educating students about fish and wildlife management. WDFW also co-funds projects through the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) and provides Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permits for MCD restoration projects. MCD serves as the Lead Entity for salmon recovery in WRIA 14, coordinating with WDFW on project prioritization.
• Green DiamondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Diamond collaborates with MCD on the 5th grade Forest Festival Field Day, contributing to educational stations about forestry, forest products, practices, and the economic impact of forestry on the Mason County community. Green Diamond is a major forest landowner in the region.
• Chelsea FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChelsea Farms (a shellfish grower) partners with MCD and the Mason County Partnership for 4th grade field trips at Little Skokomum Shellfish Growers, where they prepare fresh clams for students to try as part of the shellfish education experience.
• NOAA FisheriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA Fisheries collaborates with MCD (as Lead Entity for WRIA 14) and other lead entities in salmon recovery efforts across Mason County watersheds. NOAA Fisheries ensures that salmon recovery plans align with federal recovery goals and provides guidance on species recovery priorities (Chinook, summer chum, steelhead, bull trout).
• Hood Canal Coordinating CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hood Canal Coordinating Council serves as the Lead Entity for salmon recovery in WRIA 16 (Hood Canal tributaries). MCD coordinates with HCCC on salmon recovery projects in WRIA 16, which focuses on recovery of Hood Canal summer chum through large-scale estuarine and nearshore restoration projects.
• Chehalis Basin Lead EntitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chehalis Basin Lead Entity coordinates salmon recovery restoration work in WRIA 22 (Lower Chehalis Basin). MCD coordinates salmon recovery projects spanning into WRIA 22, focusing on restoring degraded habitat for multiple salmonid species and improving hydrologic function throughout the basin.
• City of SheltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Shelton partners with MCD and the Mason County Partnership for environmental education and community programs. City of Shelton provided funding for environmental education programs and MCD works with the City on stormwater retrofit projects (engineering assessment and design services). The City also hosts the Civic Center Community Garden.
• CIELOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIELO (a local organization) is listed as a community partner for intern coordination and outreach activities. CIELO is referenced in intern position descriptions as a partner for engaging diverse communities, including limited English proficiency populations, in food security and agricultural programs.
• Salish Roots FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSalish Roots Farm is listed as a community partner for intern coordination and Farms in Translation program activities. The farm participates in connecting climate-smart and culturally relevant foods to local communities.
• Skokomish Valley FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkokomish Valley Farms is a partner site for 8th grade sustainable agriculture field experiences, where students learn about the food system and sustainable agricultural practices. The farm donates excess produce (e.g., lettuce) to local food banks through MCD's food security programs.
• WSU Extension Mason CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSU Extension Mason County, through Tessa Halloran (Small Farms/Master Gardener Program Coordinator), partners with MCD for 8th grade sustainable agriculture field experiences at Skokomish Valley Farms. WSU Extension Forestry also provides the Forester & Silvicultural Contractor Directory and online learning resources that MCD refers forest landowners to.
• Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group participates in the 5th grade Forest Festival Field Day, contributing educational stations on salmon and aquatic ecosystems. HCSSEG focuses on salmon recovery and habitat restoration in the Hood Canal region.
• Wildfire Ready Neighbors ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCD partners with the Wildfire Ready Neighbors program (led by Washington DNR Community Resilience Coordinators) to provide free wildfire risk home assessments to individual landowners and communities. The program also supports Firewise USA community applications and renewals.
• Farm Service Agency (FSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFSA administers the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) which pays landowners an annual rental rate, signing bonus, and all costs for establishing vegetated riparian buffers along waterways. MCD references CREP in restoration projects (e.g., Gosnell Creek and Stickley Ranch projects) and coordinates with FSA on farm conservation programs. FSA eligibility webinars are promoted through MCD events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Capitol Land Trust: Regional land trust that provides preserves for MCD field trips and is a core Mason County Partnership member, addressing overlapping land and water conservation goals through fee ownership rather than technical assistance.
• Pacific Education Institute: Educational framework provider and core Mason County Partnership member that delivers the FieldSTEM model underlying MCD's K-12 environmental education programs across the three school districts.

Broad incumbents

• Washington State Conservation Commission: State-level umbrella for all Washington conservation districts that funds MCD Implementation Grants, Professional Engineering Grants, and VSP, and provides the regulatory framework under RCW 89.08 that governs MCD.

Direct peers

• Thurston Conservation District: Neighboring Washington conservation district under RCW 89.08 that delivers essentially identical forestry, agriculture, water, and habitat programs with overlapping WRIA coverage and similar grant funding mix.
• King Conservation District: Washington conservation district with a similar RCW 89.08 mandate, providing forestry, agriculture, and habitat technical assistance plus restoration project delivery in a larger but adjacent jurisdiction.
• South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group: Nonprofit salmon recovery organization partnering with MCD on the Mason County Partnership and delivering similar habitat restoration and education programs across the South Puget Sound region.
• Pierce Conservation District: Washington conservation district under RCW 89.08 operating a comparable menu of free landowner services, salmon recovery coordination, and K-12 environmental education in an adjacent county.
• Hood Canal Coordinating Council: Lead Entity for salmon recovery in WRIA 16 alongside MCD's WRIA 14 role, coordinating SRFB-funded habitat projects with closely aligned scope and funding streams.
• Kitsap Conservation District: Washington conservation district serving Kitsap County with the same non-regulatory technical assistance model across forestry, agriculture, and shoreline programs cited in MCD's forest landowner service area.

Regional players

• WSU Extension Mason County: University extension office delivering overlapping agriculture and forestry programming to the same Mason County residents and small farms served by MCD.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/WSUExtForestry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mason-conservation-district

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 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 Mason Conservation District