OCCA plays a key role in the environmental issues of Otsego County. OCCA's activities and accomplishments include:

WATER QUALITY INITIATIVES

• Water quality improvement projects on more than 40 farms, in the Otsego and Canadarago lake watersheds and the Butternut Valley

• Riparian buffer plantings along streamside properties

• Major funder of Otsego Lake Septic System Management Program

• Key organizer of Otsego Lake Festival

• Member of the Otsego County Water Quality Coordinating Committee

LAND-USE MANAGEMENT

• Land-use expertise available to local governments

• Advocate of adherence to State Environment Quality Review by local planning boards

• Work with citizens' groups concerned about inappropriate development

• Assistance to municipalities with planning grants

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT & RECYCLING

• Active role in Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, providing assistance in publicity, volunteer labor and recycling information

• Publication of recycling alternatives guide, "Recycling: Above and Beyond"

• Advocate of countywide recycling efforts

• Advocate of burn barrel education and legislation

OPEN SPACE INITIATIVES

• Publication and distribution of "Otsego Walks and Paddles," an outdoor recreation guide for low impact uses of area trails

• Organizer of seasonal nature walks throughout Otsego County

• Steward of Basswood Pond Trail (Basswood State Forest)

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

• Grants to local schools for environmental projects

• Publication of informative fliers, such as "Starry Nights in Otsego County," "Recycling: Above and Beyond," "Otsego County Conservation Association and Otsego Lake, ""Riparian Buffers & You"

• Key organizer of annual Earth Festival