About WGCD


Vision Statement

The WGCD will be a leader in natural resources education and outreach. The WGCD will also be the primary provider of natural resources information and service to the citizens and stakeholders of the WGCD.

Mission Statement
The WGCD will combine education and landowner support to:

  • Fully support conservation planning that promotes local, agronomic and economic sustainability through wise land use;
  • Provide a quality experience for stakeholders;
  • Conduct fundamental implementation of the mechanisms associated with natural resource systems through cost share and educational programming;
  • Provide innovative outreach to citizens and stakeholders;
  • Investigate, record, and disseminate information about WGCD’s natural resources;
  • Promote a comprehensive conservation ethic for the effective and appropriate management and sustainable use of natural resources;
  • Actively participate in local forums designed to promote comprehensive resource management within the WGCD.

WGCD History

West Greeley Conservation District is located in Weld County and was established on June 14, 1948. A total of 1,650,000 acres is covered by the district.
Land ownership within the District is:
  • Private land - 1,390,000 acres
  • Federal & State land - 260,000  acres
  • District Map

Concerns and programs within the district include:

Water Quality & Quantity
  • Cost share program for pump & center pivot testing.
  • Test over 2000 acres of soil for nutrients and salinity.
  • Test more than 10 irrigation wells for nitrates.
  • Cost share program on domestic drinking well water wells testing for nitrates, E. coli, etc.
  • Participate in Children's Water Festival.
  • Give presentations to schools/groups with the riparian trailer.
  • Administer and do upkeep on riparian trailer for other districts.
  • Participate with inspection and upkeep of Coalbank Creek Watershed project.
  • Participate in watershed activities 
Soil Erosion
  • Review and sign all USDA conservation plans.
  • Host meetings to determine resource concerns for EQIP program.
  • Host meetings to promote cost share program.
  • Hold a seedling tree sale, including a 20,000 plus mail advertisement; also sell fabric mulch and other tree supplies.
  • Plant a shelter belt along highway annually, 1/4 mile long - 5 rows wide.
  • Have cost-share program that pays cooperators fifty cents per linear foot for approved windbreaks - First come, first serve basis.
  • Host a seedling tree workshop in conjunction with the CSFS.
  • Support natural resources organizations such as CCTA, SWCS, and CWMA.
  • Make recommendations to producers and/or county attorney on dust blowing problems.
Range Management
  • Maintain range condition data base.
  • Have cost share program for livestock well drilling.
  • Bought and lend out livestock scale to help with stocking rates and nutrient balance programs.
  • Hold "Ranching for Profit" workshop.
Noxious Weeds
  • Continue noxious weed cost share program in conjunction with Weld County Public Works.
  • Grant money for a special Dalmatian Toadflax eradication area.
  • Lend technical assistance in weed management including identification.
  • Buy and distribute weed identification guides to cooperators.
Local Concerns
  • Preservation of prime agriculture lands.
  • Cooperate with City of Thornton to provide permanent cover on land as water is removed.
  • Work with county on planning and land use issues.
  • Provide Weld County with soils report and other concerns for all land to be subdivided.
  • Education; provide scholarships to both Camp Rocky and Teachers Workshop.
  • Education; provide college scholarships.
  • Education and Outreach; have a booth at the Colorado Farm Show.
  • Education; Provide a landowners resource manual to any interested cooperator.
  • Outreach; publish a bi-annual newsletter and maintain a web site.