The Big Island has continually possessed a need for an organization that supports sustainability, environmental preservation, economic opportunity, and community enrichment. To fulfill this need, Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council (BIRCDC) was incorporated as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization within the State of Hawaii. There are 375 RC&D areas installed and authorized in the United States by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, which covers approximately 70% of the nation.

Our Board is made up of Directors and community representatives from each Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) on Hawaii Island, along with a Mayor’s Representative, and committee chairs. The diversity of our team allows for a wide-range of environmental, natural resource, and cultural concerns or interests to be effectively addressed through the development of projects for public purpose.   

Big Island RC&D Council is here to serve individuals or organizations who share a common goal to improve, sustain, and perpetuate the land that we call home. We work to represent and partner with those willing to make a change, primarily by providing fiscal sponsorship. We advocate for others who are doing extraordinary work in our community, but may be excluded by funders because of size, pilot program status, entity type or lack of matching funds. Through an established partnership, we strive to identify a concern, organize a group, event, or program that will address the concern, develop a plan of action, all while simultaneously seeking a funding source.

By doing so, we create stronger infrastructure for a successful program, improve overall outcomes, and give funders the assurance they need, to know their resources are being utilized as promised.