On December 1, 1998, Richland County Council approved an ordinance creating the Richland County Conservation Commission.

Richland County Council recognizes the importance of the conservation of natural resources to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of the county and promote economic development and tourism. With this understanding, the Conservation Commission was created to:

• Promote the conservation of natural resources
• Identify and promote the development and preservation of historical resources
• Promote passive outdoor nature-based recreation
• Encourage and promote tourism emphasizing natural, cultural, and historical resources in Richland County
• Assist in coordinating activities of volunteers, organizations, and business and governmental agencies interested in the conservation of natural, cultural, and historical resources
• Encourage such activities as may be necessary or advisable to acquire, preserve, develop, and promote natural, cultural, and historical resources in Richland County
• Prepare and submit to the Richland County Council for consideration a proposed list of significant natural, cultural, and historical resources to be protected
• Recommend to the County Council resources and properties which should be identified, acquired, leased, preserved, protected, or developed
• Investigate, coordinate, and undertake such other projects as may be assigned to the Commission by the Richland County Council from time to time