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.


Engaging our Communities in Responsible Stewardship

Join our team-Summer Position Available

OCCA is seeking applicants for the Otsego County Aquatic Invasive Rapid Response team for the summer. Rapid Response team members will help us with our all-important invasive species removal efforts from June-August. This is a part-time position (2 days/week, 15-20hrs./wk). Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver’s license, and access to reliable transportation.

Founded in 2006, The Earth Festival is a gathering of Otsego County’s environmental community for a day-long celebration that features exhibits, workshops, and products with an environmental theme.

We are also thrilled to announce that the Utica Zoomobile will be joining us too! Come out from 12 -2 and meet their fun critters!

It’s going to be a busy day! Join us for a seed exchange, clothing exchange, children’s activities, maker space and lots of local exhibitors. Plus, a 8 am bird walk with DOAS and garden-based service project at the Milford School.

Click on the button to find out about the confirmed workshops.

Confirmed vendors and exhibitors…

Nature’s Canvas Face Painting--Origin’s Cafe--Upper Susquehanna Coalition--Intelligent B Solutions--Milford Central School--Otsego Reuse Center--Otsego County Solid Waste--Otsego 2000-Otsego Land Trust-Otsego Outdoors-United Women of Faith-Milford Community Garden--CRISP--Oakhill Nursery School--Glimmerglass Guild--Cornell Cooperative Extesion of Schoharie and Otsego Counties’--SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station--Hanford Mills Museum--This is Cooperstown--First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown--Otsego Lake Association--Otsego Soil and Water Conservation District--Coop Wildlife Rehabilitation--Hollow Winds Farm--Weaving by Marnie--Love, Laura Jewelry Design--Bunny Run Pottery--Baking by Beck--Trout Unlimited--Leatherstocking Beekeepers-- AJ Reed Science Discovery Center—Origins: Growing Leaders Program--Tickled Pink BBQ--That Crazy Cookie Lady-Utica Zoo--The Bard Rocks

In 2024 we are not accepting:

E-Waste: Now, it is accepted at the northern and southern transfer stations, making it easy to drop off yourselves.

VHS, Audio Cassettes, and DVDs: In 2023, it took us a month to get these re-boxed and shipped to Ohio, where they are recycled. We will recycle these in 2024 if we find a sponsor to pay for a truck and driver to take the whole load to Ohio. We calculated this is cheaper than shipping the 50 individual boxes we had last year! In the meantime, anyone can ship their tapes to Greendisk. Click HERE to learn how.

In its third year, Drive Through, Drop Off is OCCA's popular community-wide recycling day. Last year, we helped remove over 10,000 pounds of hard-to-recycle items from the waste stream.

The OCCA recycling committee is excited to host the third annual Drive-Through-Drop-Off on April 27 at Brewery Ommegang from 12 pm-3 pm.

We are not asking participants to sign up for a timeslot this year but would like you to fill out the form linked below if you plan to attend so we know how many people are coming. Click on the button below to sign up!  

Our current collection list is below.

  • Christmas lights

  • Textiles (through Helpsy-to see the complete list of what they accept, click HERE)

  • Shredding

  • Printer Cartridges and Toner

  • Tooth Care-all brands

  • Eyeglasses

  • Books

We are partnering with the Oneonta ReUse Center to recycle:

  • Styrofoam

  • Cork

  • Plastic Film

The Reuse Center is an awesome resource year-round. They collect paint, plastic film, fluorescent lights (for a small fee), and so much more. Visit them today.

Volunteer with OCCA!

Volunteers play a huge role in our work at OCCA. Click on the button below to learn more about our volunteer program, and subscribe to the Eco-bulletin to stay updated with volunteer projects.

Support our work in 2024!

In 2024, our main goal is to connect with more of you. We hope to see you hiking, paddling, monitoring, and volunteering throughout the year. If you are looking for a way to connect with OCCA, contact the office at 607-547-4488.

Gifts to OCCA allow us to:

  • Continue our vital conservation work and invasive species control.

  • Build community through our Community Connection Series.

  • Provide life changing experience in nature.

  • Train citizen scientists for stream monitoring and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid monitoring.

  • Provide free access to educational and outreach programs throughout the county.

  • Expand the educational and outreach programs!

    Continue to partner with OCCA today, and you will give us the tools to continue our vital conservation work in 2024.

Contribute Today:

Scan or Click on the QR code for online payment or mail checks to:

PO Box 931, Cooperstown, NY 13326

Otsego County HABS Website

The site has information about what Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are, what to look out for when assessing if you should go in a body of water, and resource links to all of the local science happening here to understand HABs and help toward a long-term management solution.