Business Tools

Business Management Manuals:

Conservation District Operations Manual

The District Operations Manual released on September 10, 2009 replaces the previous versions of the Operations Handbook and the Director Handbook. The Operations Manual is a comprehensive guide to Conservation District operations, procedures and business development guidelines.

Michigan Conservation District Uniform Accounting Manual Procedures Manual

Revised September 17, 2003, the Uniform Accounting Manual Procedures Manual provides information on basic financial records, documents and procedures that are applicable to all Conservation Districts in Michigan. Included in this manual is a Chart of Accounts that should be sufficient for most Conservation Districts.

Employment Assistance:  

MACD provides Conservation Districts with assistance in posting job opportunities to allow for broad dissemination of the posting for better recruitment of quality candidates.  Please contact MACD at macd@macd.org for further information and posting guidelines.


MACD Email and Listservs:

MACD offers CD staff and board members with a web-based email system and several Listservs to help Conservation Districts stay connected and informed with each other and Michigan's natural resource conservation community. 

To obtain an email account, contact MACD at macd@macd.org, and provide the following:

  • First and last name of account holder
  • Conservation District name
  • Employment status: staff, administrator, board member

Listservs include:

  • all@macd.org = general listserv which includes CD staff, board members, agency staff and partners.  Utilized for general communication purposes.
  • admin@macd.org = specific listserv for CD administrators, select board members and MDARD Regional Coordinators.
  • Toolkit@macd.org = specific listserv for district and NRCS staff who utilize the NRCS Toolkit system.
  • 319@macd.org = specific listserv for individuals involved in 319 grants.

Contact MACD with your listserv requests, questions or access issues at macd@macd.org with your request outlined in the message title.

** Administrators, please inform MACD when staff and board members change so that listservs and email accounts remain up to date!  

MACD Training Materials:

A series of downloadable training modules is available on the Training page.  These "self-taught" presentations can be used to teach directors and staff the basic operations of Conservation Districts. The intent of these modules is to have education materials readily available to conduct "in-house" training in District offices and are especially useful when new directors are elected or new staff members are hired.

MACD event presentations are also housed on the Training Page.  Session presentations from MACD training events will be housed on the site for one year.

Visit the Training page for a comprehensive listing of modules and downloadable presentation files.

On Line Resources:

There are many websites that provide materials of interest to Conservation Districts. Find below a list of online resources that may be of interest. If you know of others, please contact macd@macd.org and it will be added to this list.

The Clearinghouse for Dam Removal Information (CDRI). An online repository for documents about proposed and completed dam removal projects across the country.

EPA Nonpoint Source (NPS) Outreach Toolbox.  Intended for use by state and local agencies and other organizations interested in educating the public on nonpoint source pollution or stormwater runoff.