Our Organization

OCCA is a regional conservation organization addressing a broad spectrum of basic environmental concerns who promotes the appreciation and sustainable use of our region’s resources. OCCA implements crucial programs and projects to improve or protect Otsego County’s air, land, and water. Broad support from county residents enhances our ability to accomplish our mission

Upcoming Event:

OCCA Annual Dinner at Creekside Station

The Otsego County Conservation Association invites you to join us for our Annual Dinner at Creekside Station in Hartwick, NY. This special evening will feature a locally sourced, farm-to-table meal prepared by Bee Blossom Catering, followed by an inspiring program honoring the recipients of OCCA’s 2025 Conservationist of the Year Awards and a keynote address by renowned environmental advocate and attorney, Anne Marie Garti.

This year, we proudly recognize Matt Albright and Holly Waterfield for their decades of work protecting Otsego Lake and the upper Susquehanna River watershed through SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station. Their research on water quality, invasive species, nutrient cycling, and Harmful Algal Blooms has shaped regional policy and informed community action, while their mentorship has inspired generations of environmental stewards.

We are also thrilled to present our first-ever Junior Conservationist of the Year Award to Elias MacLeish, a Cooperstown Central School senior whose leadership has revitalized the LaCava Nature Center, rebuilt nature trails, supported OCCA events, and inspired peers through his involvement with the Envirothon team, outdoor leadership training, and hands-on conservation projects.

Our keynote speaker, Anne Marie Garti, grew up in Delhi, NY, where her early connection to the Delaware River and surrounding landscape shaped a lifelong commitment to environmental protection. Now an environmental lawyer, Ms. Garti has combined grassroots organizing and legal strategy to challenge some of the most significant environmental threats in the region, including landmark victories against hydrofracking in New York State and the defeat of the proposed Constitution Pipeline. She continues to work on campaigns against interstate gas projects across the Northeast, showing the power of citizen-led advocacy in protecting our natural resources.

The Annual Dinner is OCCA’s most important fundraising event of the year. Your attendance helps support our ongoing efforts to preserve and protect Otsego County’s land, water, and wildlife. We look forward to gathering with our community to share good food, honor those making a difference, and celebrate a shared commitment to conservation.

Invitation for the OCC Annual Dinner Celebration with a green border, decorative botanical illustrations, and the OCC logo featuring a blue and green earth with the words 'TSEGO COUNTY CONSERVATION' around it.
Covered outdoor pavilion with tables and chairs in a grassy area surrounded by trees on a sunny day.

Engaging our Communities in Responsible Stewardship

  • A person standing in a kayak on a pond, filled with weeds, holding a rake, with lush green trees and mountains in the background on a partly cloudy day; overlaid with text promoting Otsego County Conservation Association's conservation efforts.

    Join

    The Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) invites you to support our efforts in 2025. Our mission is to promote the appreciation and sustainable use of our region's resources by connecting Otsego County residents with their environment and empowering them to become stewards of our ecosystems.

    Together, We Can Make a Difference…

    Your support enables us to foster a more environmentally aware and active community in Otsego County. Stand up for conservation. Stand with OCCA. Donate today and be part of the positive change in Otsego County.

    Dontate Today
  • Group of people gathered in a forest, listening to a man holding a notebook and basket, possibly on a guided nature walk.

    Learn

    Education is at the Heart of OCCA

    At OCCA, education is woven into everything we do. In 2023, we took our commitment to the next level—offering a full year of hands-on conservation projects, guided hikes, children’s programs, and community activities.

    The highlight of the year? The launch of our Community Connections series. More than just events, these programs are designed to deepen your relationship with the land and with each other. They're about inspiration, empowerment, and giving everyone the tools to take meaningful action for our environment.

    Join us—and be part of something bigger.

    Learn More
  • Outdoor booth set up by Otsego County Conservation Association with informational displays about invasive species, plant seeds for sale, and a sign inviting visitors to talk about saving money on bills.

    Connect

    Connect with OCCA!
    Throughout the year, you’ll find the Otsego County Conservation Association out in the community—at festivals, markets, and local events—sharing our mission and meeting new faces. Stop by our table to learn more about upcoming projects, programs, and ways to get involved. Our staff, board members, and volunteers are always excited to talk about the work we’re doing to protect and preserve the environment here in Otsego County.

    Don’t forget to join us for OCCA-hosted events like Earth Festival, Garden Parties at Mohican Farm, and our Annual Dinner. There’s always something growing at OCCA—come be a part of it!

    Learn More