Soil and Water conservation districts are administered by the volunteer efforts of local landowners and citizens selected in the General Elections to serve on the Board of Directors, authorized to provide assistance to all county farmers, ranchers and citizens upon request & committed to service all members of the community regardless of gender, race, ethnic background or national origin.

The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District is uniquely authorized by the State of Oregon to provide for the conservation of its renewable resources, including control and prevention of soil erosion, conservation and development of water resources and water quality, prevention of impairment of dams and reservoirs, assisting in the maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors, preserving wildlife, conserving natural beauty, and doing this in cooperation with landowners, land occupiers, and other natural resource users, other local governmental units, and agencies of the state and federal government.