Butternut Creek Float
Thank you to those who joined the float down Butternut Creek with OCCA and Butternut Valley Alliance! A beautiful day to appreciate our natural resources! Thank you for joining!!
August 4 – October 27
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Continue checking in to Watershed Wednesdays!
A coordinated effort of the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, OCCA, and Choose Clean Water Coalition. These mini-sessions are each Wednesday of the month, beginning at 9:00am.
Zoom Link: https:/us02web.zoom.us/j/85428683066
Running through the month of October, you’ll have many chances to learn from the best, regarding projects in the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay.
September 1: Using Underwater Drones to Teach about Aquatic Environments and Conservation, with Dan Rhodes, Bradford County Conservation District
September 8: Pasture Water Systems that Work: From Simple to the Complex, with Troy Bishopp, aka “The Grass Whisperer”, Madison County SWCD
September 15: Constructed Wetlands as part of Stormwater Management Practices at Binghamton University with Professor Joseph Graney, Binghamton University
September 22: Overview of the Upper Susquehanna Watershed Progress Dashboard with Cassandra Davis, NYS DEC
September 29: Chesapeake Bay Program for Local Governments with Danny Lapin, Otsego County Conservation Association
Book Spotlight Braiding Sweetgrass, written by Robin Wall Kimmerer
As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings are we capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learning to give our own gifts in return.
To learn more about Kimmerer’s book and work,
visit her website at Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Join OCCA for a Highway Cleanup morning!
September 25th, 8:30-11am at Mohican Farm
Join us as we pick up litter along a 2-mile section of State Route 80 along Otsego Lake. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and long pants. Equipment will be provided courtesy of the New York State Department of Transportation’s “Adopt A Highway” Program. Meet at OCCA’s Mohican Farm office.
SIGN UP: OCCA Highway Cleanup – OCCA – Otsego County Conservation Association (occainfo.org)
HeatSmart Mohawk Valley: Introduction to Clean Heating & Cooling
Webinars offered, Fridays at 11am
Come join us as we introduce you to HeatSmart Mohawk Valley, and our solutions around clean heating and cooling. We’re here to help you understand the new technologies available to help you save money, reduce your energy costs, and experience a much more comfortable climate in your home. The process may seem intimidating to start, but our HSMV team is here to walk you through every step of the way.
This event has a video call.
Join: https://meet.google.com/hdz-eitg-hjq
(US) +1 323-694-9436 PIN: 347213758#
Friday, September 3rd, 11am –12pm
Friday, September 10th, 11am –12pm
Friday, September 17th, 11am –12pm
Friday, September 24th, 11am –12pm
We are hiring again! Join our team!
HeatSmart Mohawk Valley Outreach Specialist
Otsego County Energy Taskforce Intern
If interested, please email your cover letter and resume to director@occainfo.org, and coordinator@heatsmartmv.org (HeatSmart Mohawk Valley position), and coordinator@occainfo.org (Energy Taskforce Intern).
Visit the link below to get further position details.
Otsego Octet Summer Challenge
Extended to September 21st!
Otsego Outdoors wants you to hit the trails, waterways, and cycling paths this summer. Complete any eight activities from a list of 16 and you can earn an Otsego Outdoors Summer Octet Challenge patch. The Challenge is now open until September 21st, so finish strong!! For information and a registration form, visit www.otsegooutdoors.org.
Community Resilience
OCCA continues to serve part of the Clean Energy Communities and Climate Smart Communities team for the Mohawk Valley. If you are interested in how to get your community involved in Clean Energy, Climate Resiliency and planning for the future then contact Amy today to see how to get started! director@occainfo.org or call at 607-547-4488
Garage Sale (ongoing)
As part of OCCA’s mission to reduce our carbon footprint we will be holding our traditional “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Garage Sale” digitally. You will still have the benefit of donating items to OCCA, getting some GREAT deals, and knowing that you are keeping things out of the landfill.
If you are interested in any of the items we have listed OR if you have items to donate, please email us.
Garage Sale Items – OCCA – Otsego County Conservation Association (occainfo.org)