Local Work Groups
Local Work Groups (LWGs) are subcommittees of the State Technical Committee and provide recommendations to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs. The results of LWGs are also valuable to local and state leaders in the development of priorities, programs, and policies.
LWGs are rooted in the locally-led conservation process, connecting Conservation Districts, the NRCS, state and local partners, and producers to work through an assessment of current natural resource concerns in a given area or region and to identify opportunities and challenges that NRCS and partners can address through their conservation programs. This input helps guide local decision-making and can influence policy development.
Local Work Group Meetings Yield Results
Through Local Work Group meetings, Conservation Districts bring all local area stakeholders together to identify resource concerns and develop solutions and partnerships based on those concerns and local knowledge. Conservation District Boards gather these concerns, listen to what producers, landowners, and other stakeholders have to say, and then submit a list of resource concerns and recommended priorities to the NRCS and other federal and state entities.
Keep an eye on your local Conservation District’s webpage to find out when their next LWG Meeting is being held.
LWG Calendar
Local Work Group Resources
Arizona Local Work Group Handbook
This handbook will help guide Arizona’s Conservation Districts in understanding the purpose of the Local Work Group (LWG), how to run LWG meetings, and how to engage local conservation stakeholders.
Local Work Group Agenda Template
This template helps Conservation Districts develop a structured agenda for Local Work Group meetings, guiding discussions on conservation priorities, partner input, and recommendations.
Local Work Group PPT Presentation
This PowerPoint Presentation is a great resource for educating Conservation Districts about the roles, responsibilities, and purpose of LWGs.
Local Work Group SAMPLE Agenda
This Word document is for the use of conservation district supervisors who are responsible for generating and distributing a LWG Meeting Agenda. Click below to download and “Save As” a new document for your use.
2026 Local Work Group Reporting Template
This template helps Conservation Districts report Local Work Group recommendations by documenting district priority areas, resource concerns, conservation practices, and ranking questions identified during the LWG process.
Local Work Group Agenda Reporting Template
This combined document includes the Local Work Group (LWG) agenda template, priority area and resource concern reporting template, and LWG reporting checklist, providing districts with a single resource to help plan meetings and document results.
Local Work Group Minutes Template
This template helps Conservation Districts document Local Work Group meetings by providing a structured format for recording meeting notes, discussion topics, partner input, and recommendations to NRCS.
Function, Establishment, and Operation of Local Work Groups
USDA 440-CPM, Part 501, Subpart B, Section 501.13
“Responsibilities of Conservation Districts and NRCS”
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 41, Chapter 58, Article 4, 41-6054
“Powers of district”
2026 Local Work Group Report Checklist
This checklist helps AACD program assistants track the review and submission process for Local Work Group (LWG) reports, ensuring meeting minutes and recommendations are reviewed, shared with partners, and submitted to the appropriate agencies.
CFR Title 7, Subtitle B, Chapter 6, Subchapter B, Part 610, Subpart C
“State Technical Committees”
Program Contributors
Arizona Conservation Districts