About Us
OCCA is a countywide environmental organization addressing a broad spectrum of basic environmental concerns. OCCA plays a key role in initiating and carrying out programs designed to improve or protect Otsego County’s air, land, and water. Wide support from county residents enhances our ability to accomplish our mission.
More recently, OCCA has been expanding our reach into the neighboring counties of the Mohawk Valley region to connect our neighbors to our HeatSmart Mohawk Valley Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign, Community Energy Engagement Program, ,Clean Energy Communities Program, and Climate Smart Communities. We have also expanded to other neighboring regions for our Planning services.
Mission Statement:
OCCA is dedicated to promoting the appreciation and sustainable use of Otsego County’s natural resources through research, education, advocacy, planning and resource management and practice.
Our Commitment:
OCCA believes in a United States of America that is free from discrimination in regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or ability, and where everyone is entitled to live without prejudice. We remain committed to confronting issues of discrimination when they arise. We also believe that any actions of discrimination of any kind are wrong. We are guided by and uphold these beliefs in all we do.
In 1968, a small group of individuals with foresight regarding environmental matters in Otsego County banded together to form the Otsego County Conservation Association. OCCA remains the only countywide environmental organization working on a broad spectrum of programs to protect our local natural resources and educate the general public about important environmental issues and concerns.
CLICK HERE to Learn More About OCCA’s History
Our By-Laws are the over arching governance document for the operations of the organization. The last update was recorded in April of 2021.
Click any of the links below to read our Position Statements on the following topics.
The OCCA Board of Directors consists of up to fifteen dedicated individuals who lend their time, talent and expertise to the organization, helping to keep it operating effectively and meaningfully to fulfill the mission.
The OCCA Staff is an awesome team who work diligently to carry out the activities of the organization.
CLICK HERE to Learn More About Our Staff
OCCA works with many different partner organizations to accomplish mutual goals and maximize available funds. We have two sister organizations that we routinely partner with to help promote conservation, environmental advocacy, outreach and education.
Every year OCCA works hard to bring the best programming and expertise in the environmental field to all Otsego County residents. The Annual Report describes our year’s activities, recognizes our donors and volunteers, and gives a financial snapshot of the organization.
If you are looking for ways to get involved with OCCA, take a look through information about available jobs, internships, volunteer opportunities and more.
The staff and board of directors of Otsego County Conservation Association offer our heartfelt condolences to the members of our Otsego County family who have lost loved ones to or suffered from COVID-19. Though our region has been fortunate to see a small number of cases relative to other parts of the world, we take this disease seriously. The safety and health of our staff and all of our program participants is our top priority. Therefore, as we move forward with in-person programs in the coming weeks, we will adhere to current guidelines put forth by New York State. As of this publication, these are:
- Program size will be limited based on current state guidelines, staff included;
- All participants must wear a mask during the program;
- Participants must follow social distancing guidelines at all times; should a program be expected to require close contact among participants, this will be made clear in the program description
- Participants must pre-register in order to attend;
- All participants must provide OCCA with contact information (name, phone number, email) in order to participate.
We apologize for any inconvenience these rules may cause; please understand this is in the interests of protecting all of us. Please note these guidelines will change as the situation here changes. We will post these guidelines at occainfo.org and update them regularly. Thank you for respecting each other, and for being part of the OCCA family.
Find our location, mailing address, phones and emails or use the form on the page to send us a message or provide input!
How You Can Help Protect Our Local Environment
Donations provide the foundation for our work throughout Otsego County. By becoming a supporter of OCCA, you become a part of a unique countywide environmental organization whose mission is to protect local natural resources for the benefit of all.
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© 2021 Otsego County Conservation Association
7207 State Highway 80, PO Box 931 • Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-4488