Conservation-focused special districts are uniquely positioned to identify how natural processes influence flood risk and pinpoint the local and environmental drivers that may exacerbate these hazards. Across the country, many conservation districts undertake restoration efforts that simultaneously deliver hazard mitigation co-benefits. Meanwhile, local hazard planners are pursuing efforts to address many of the same risks. Hazard mitigation plans—and the hazard mitigation planning process itself—can offer a pathway to coordinate priorities, forge partnerships, and ultimately strengthen multi-benefit solutions.
In 2025, the Environmental Law Institute partnered with FEMA to support stronger coordination in hazard mitigation planning processes by highlighting how non-traditional partners such as conservation districts can contribute to local flood mitigation planning efforts. ELI learned from districts nationwide about how their work aligns with hazard mitigation planning priorities and developed the resources included below to support other conservation districts and emergency management officials in building and maintaining effective partnerships.
Fact Sheet: Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Risk Reduction
Case Studies
The following case studies explore outstanding examples of conservation-focused special districts engaged in risk reduction work. Every case study is intended to highlight a unique dimension of these efforts, from collaboration on nature-based flood mitigation projects and innovative implementation approaches, to partnerships build through the hazard planning process and community engagement. Select any case study to learn more.
- Calvert Soil Conservation District: Mission-Driven Partnerships and Outreach
- Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District: Finding Opportunity in a Rapidly Developing Watershed
- McHenry County Conservation District: Exploring Creative Funding Solutions
- Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District: Planning at the Watershed Scale
- San Mateo Resource Conservation District: Building Relationships Through Hazard Mitigation Planning
- Westmoreland Conservation District: Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Practice
Glossary of Flood Risk |
This annotated glossary includes terms that frequently appear in flood risk reduction and hazard mitigation planning resources. |
Quick Guide to Conservation Districts |
What are conservation districts and why are they important?
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Hazard Planning Guide for Conservation Districts |
This guide provides a high-level checklist and step-by-step outline on how special districts can become involved in a local hazard mitigation plan. |
Event Materials and Recordings
Bridging Conservation and Risk Reduction: Opportunities for Special Districts to Engage in Local Hazard Mitigation Planning (Webinar)
September 9, 2025
In this webinar, an expert panel detailed how special districts can be more engaged in hazard mitigation planning. Panelists provided an overview of the hazard mitigation planning process, discussed the cascading benefits of special district participation, highlighted case studies and practical examples of nature-based hazard mitigation projects that align conservation and risk reduction priorities, and shared creative funding strategies that have emerged from integrated planning partnerships.
The recording and slides are available here.
Disaster and Mitigation Law (ELI Summer School Webinar)
August 12, 2025
In the final installment of its 2025 Summer School series, ELI hosted a primer on hazard mitigation law and updates on new developments. The expert panel featured Steve Ferryman (Ohio Management Agency), Alessandra Jerolleman (Center on Environment, Land, and Law, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law), and Gerald Murphy (Center for Land Use Efficiency, University of Florida).
For the full event description and a recording of the webinar, please visit Disaster and Mitigation Law (ELI Summer School, 2025) | Environmental Law Institute.
Bridging Conservation & Hazard Mitigation Planning: A Workshop for Natural Resource Professionals (In-Person Workshop)
August 3, 2025
On August 3, 2025, the Environmental Law Institute convened natural resource professionals, special districts, hazard mitigation planners, and scientists for a full-day workshop at the Hilton Orange County in Costa Mesa, California, preceding the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s Annual Conference.