CONSERVATION PARTNERS & AGENCIES DOING RELATED WORK
Below are links for more information about our national and regional partners.
GOVERNMENT AND ACADEMIA |
LOCAL FRIENDS |
Natural Resources Conservation Service - New York
Summary: Since 1935, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (originally called the Soil Conservation Service) has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources. NRCS employees provide one on one assistance to private landowners and local governmental units in all aspects of natural resource protection including soil erosion control, wetland restoration, grazing management, wildlife habitat restoration, water quality improvement, livestock manure management, nutrient management and flood protection. They use nationally recognized conservation practice standards to guide this work. The USDA now has the Orange County Soil Survey online. Farm Service Agency - New York Summary: FSA is set up to stabilize farm income, help farmers conserve land and water resources, provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and help farm operations recover from the effects of disaster. There are a number of different cost-sharing programs available to farmers that can help provide funding for technical assistance. Department of Environmental Conservation - New York Summary: The DEC had provided us grants to fund our projects. Its mission is to protect water quality in lakes, rivers, aquifers and coastal areas by regulating wastewater discharges, monitoring waterbodies and controlling surface runoff. They manage availability of freshwater resources, and help communities prevent flood damage and beach erosion. They promote water stewardship and education for the public benefits. Environmental Protection Agency Summary: The EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which life depends. Many of EPA's programs contribute to the well-being of the nation's waters and watersheds. The EPA set standards for drinking water contaminants and protecting sources of drinking water. They have excellent education resources for us to take advantages from in improving our environmental education programs. Their website features information on wetlands, oceans, coasts, estuaries, watersheds, rivers, water quality, monitoring, polluted runoff. Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts The individual Soil & Water Conservation Districts in the LHCCD have a long history of providing technical and educational assistance to municipalities and private landowners in water quality improvement and natural resource protection and conservation. The Lower Hudson River Basin has diverse water quality and natural resources concerns, ranging from agricultural to ultra urban. Despite their differences, the Districts in this region do share one common goal: the abatement of non-point source (NPS) pollution. Unlike municipalities, Districts have the legal authority to work on private land, as well as public land. With the hands-on, grassroots approach to conservation, Districts have been the leader in addressing NPS pollution in the Lower Hudson River Basin. Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge Summary: Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge conserves the biological diversity of the Wallkill Valley by protecting and managing land, with a special emphasis on forest-dwelling and grassland birds, migrating waterfowl, wintering raptors, and endangered species, while providing opportunities for scientific research and compatible public use. They help our conservation field days to out reach children on invasive species. Pine Island Farms Summary: Pine Island is quite literally surrounded by a sea of "Black Dirt", the richest farmlands in New York State. The Black Dirt Region stretches for miles and across to the Shawangunk Ridge in the west. Learn about the heritage in Orange County and check out the local farmers. We work extensively with the black dirt farmers. Some of them also help our conservation field days to out reach to children. Villages & Towns Summary: We also work extensively with many of the 42 municipalities in Orange County hoping to promote environmental conservation. Our efforts help to educate and assist municipalities through public outreaching. |
Orange County Water Authority
Summary: The OCWA was created to address the long-term water needs of Orange County, New York. The Authority supports local, intermunicipal and regional water planning and projects, and coordinates analysis of County water resources to provide a scientific basis for planning and decision-making. Our programs are focused on water supply, water resource protection, watershed planning, and conservation. OCWA Water Educators bring an outstanding Water Conservation Education Program to school districts across Orange County. The program, offered free of charge, includes multiple sessions of NYSED-standards-based learning about the water cycle, community water use, pollution and its prevention. The OCWA has been a member of the Groundwater Guardian Foundation since 1995. We have been recognized for our local programs to protect our precious water resources. Orange County Land Trust Summary: The Orange County Land Trust is a certified, non-profit organization that aims to preserve open space in Orange County. To date, close to 3,500 acres of land have been protected by working with landowners, public officials and other preservation organizations. Their protection efforts focus on preserving open space, wildlife habitat, farmland, wetlands and scenic vistas. We work together as members of the Wallkill River Task Force. To contact the Orange County Land Trust, please call (845) 343-0840 or email [email protected] for more information. Cornell Cooperative Extension - Orange County Summary: CCE is part of a state and nation wide educational system that enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work. They utilize research-based information from Cornell and other land-grant universities to help individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities through high quality, informal educational programs designed to address current needs and issues. Their Master Gardener program provides excellent resources for planting tips. They help our conservation field days to out reach to children on composting. We also work together on several nutrient management plans and agronomical related projects. The Nature Conservancy Summary: The Nature Conservancy pursues non-confrontational, pragmatic, market-based solutions to conservation challenges. Its mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Worldwide, there will be thousands of these precious places needing our caring. A strategic, science-based planning process, called Conservation by Design, helps them identify the highest priority places, landscapes and seascapes that, if conserved, promise to ensure biodiversity for the future generations to use and enjoy. We assist TNC with their warm season grass plantings and tree planting. Scenic Hudson Summary: Scenic Hudson works closely with local residents, elected officials, developers and regional and state entities to promote planning and design standards that protect scenic views, counteract sprawl, revitalize community centers and mitigate environmental impacts of new development. They are a member of the Wallkill River Task Force and help our conservation field days to out reach to children on aquatic life identification and the importance of greenspace. BashaKill Area Association Summary: The BashaKill Wildlife Management Area, located on Orange and Sullivan County, is the largest freshwater wetland in southeastern New York. Acquired by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), it consists of over 3,000 acres of wetlands and uplands providing vital services for both human and non-human residents. These wetlands provide a choice habitat and food source for over 30 varieties of fish, almost 200 kinds of birds and innumerable plants, reptiles, mammals and insects. BKAA's mission is to preserve the ecological beauty and to promote environmental education. |