Since 1943, the Nevada County Resource Conservation District has worked with private landowners, government agencies and other organizations to facilitate the conservation and restoration of Nevada County's natural resources.  The Nevada County Resource Conservation District (NCRCD) holds an annual "Conservationist of the Year" event.  A local landowner or group is honored for such practices as forest and range improvement. Almost every year a special landowner is awarded the coveted "Conservationist of the Year." award.  This is awarded to someone who exemplifies a well-rounded conservationist and good steward of the land.

1974 - Thomas Dargie
1975 - Laurence R. Brewer
1976 - Phillip L Personeni
1977 - Jesse R. Sanford
1978 - The Robinson Family
1981 - G.B. Tucker
1982 - Ray & Marian Conway
1985 - Eva Rondoni
1986 - Bob & Karen Baldwin
1987 - Mei & Bert Brown / John & Betty Segger
1988 - Paul & Blanch Adamson / Bob & Pem Lester
1989 - Lance & Gay Columbei / Jim & Janet Wolter / Nancy Moss
1990 - the CBM Group, Inc. / Jerry & Suzanne McGuire / Boy Scouts of America Marin Council / GEO Drilling Fluids
1991- Don & Jan Geller / Wolf Mountain Conference/ Bruce Ivy Construction / Cramer Engineering
1992- Frank & Susie Smith / Bob Savage / Kathleen & Rudy Chaides / Abbott Construction Company
1993 - David & Barbara Gallino / Abe & Eugenia Tobis
1994 - Ben Brown / A.B. Douglas / Ron & Mary Ettlin / Frank Peter / Dan Scatena
1995 - Keoni Allen / Neil Robinson / Marina & Doug Tweed
1996 - Arlo Acton / Steve & Marcia Darden / Gleason Ranch / Virginia Hillsman
1997 - Fred Gerkensmeyer / Richard Gillett / Siegfried & Cheri Knoll
1998 - Carol Hollingsworth / Susan Moser / David Ray
1999 - Pat & Anita Browning / Eric Carr / Karen Brown
2000 - Melvin & Bertha Brown / Maureen DeToy & Nelson Deglandon
2001 - John & Mark Paye / Laurie Beacock / Ron & Nancy Knaus
2002 - John & Janey Powers / Pat & Sarah Ellis / Bob Lawton / Alan Haight / Pat Norris
2003 - Robert Erickson 
2004 - Alex Szabo
2005 - Lisa Bjorn & Marney Blair
2006 - Reader Ranch
2007 - Anandra Dhira
2008 - Trabucco Ranch
2009 - Scott Knies / Alan Haight / Charles Fowler / Chris White
2010 - Keith Crabtree / Roger Ingram / Jeanette Clark / Robert Ingram
2011 - Nevada County Historic Farms and Ranches
2012 - Honoring Nevada County Ranchers and Farmers
2013 - Darlene Moberg with the Nevada County Farm Bureau
2014 - David Barhydt 
2023 - David Bardydt
2024 - Maddison Easley