The RCD is a Special District organized under state law. It is a public resource agency and has no enforcement or regulatory functions. Seven non-salaried Directors who reside in the RCD service area and know local problems manage the RCD. Current staff includes the Executive Director, Director of Finance, two program managers, and several program specialists and assistants. This organization sets the stage for development and delivery of resource conservation projects that benefit the community and the environment and allow local land owners and managers to meet their own and also mandated land use requirements.
Operating funds are drawn from local taxes, additional County funding, grants, partnerships, and fundraising activities. The RCD has been very successful in leveraging minimal local tax funds to bring in millions of dollars for natural resource projects from sources such as the State Water Resources Control Board, the Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Parks and Recreation, the Bureau of Land Management, The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and others.