The Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) — governed by a five-member board of elected and appointed District Supervisors — works with its core partners, residents, and others to conserve Buncombe County's soil, water, and related natural resources. In a nutshell, the SWCD "helps people help the land." Our programs lead to better water quality in local streams and more productive agriculture, protected forest, and wildlife lands. The SWCD’s educational and farmland preservation programs also have positive impacts on local agriculture, recreational, and other water-related activities. Our Conservation Technical Assistance and Cost Sharing programs provide local citizens with the information and financial resources they need to manage their land and take corrective measures to solve soil erosion and water quality issues.