History

Two forestry workers, wearing safety helmets and orange jackets, cutting down a tree with a chainsaw in a snowy forest.
Two smiling people, a man and a woman, stand in shallow water at a lake, holding a white pipe.
A man standing outdoors next to a pile of compost or organic waste, holding a small container, with trees and more piles of organic material in the background.
Group of people walking and standing in a wooded forest during autumn, with fallen leaves on the ground.
Two men are loading or unloading plastic-wrapped bags onto a green enclosed trailer. One man is wearing a light blue plaid shirt and a cap, gesturing with his finger, while the other man is dressed in a black shirt and jeans, leaning on a forklift. In the background, others are observing, with trees and a grassy hill visible.

In 1968, a small group of Otsego County residents with extraordinary foresight came together to form the Otsego County Conservation Association. Their goal was simple and powerful: protect the natural resources of Otsego County and ensure that residents had access to trustworthy information about environmental issues. More than five decades later, OCCA remains the only countywide environmental organization working across a broad range of programs to safeguard our landscapes, waters, and community well being.

Over the years, OCCA has been involved in virtually every major environmental issue facing the region. Our work has contributed to local progress in environmental restoration, land and water protection, and public education. With the support of partners, volunteers, and residents, OCCA continues to play a meaningful role in shaping environmental awareness and stewardship throughout Otsego County.

Our Legacy of Impact
OCCA’s efforts have been instrumental in many areas, including
• Raising awareness about threats to water quality
• Challenging development with adverse environmental impacts
• Initiating and recruiting volunteers for the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
• Promoting appreciation of open spaces, parks, and trails
• Monitoring and commenting on major development proposals
• Organizing educational forums, festivals, and community events
• Supporting municipalities with land use planning
• Combating invasive species through education and hands on action

For more than fifty years, OCCA has helped identify key environmental challenges and work toward practical, community centered solutions. We believe deeply in partnership and regularly collaborate with organizations such as Otsego Land Trust, Otsego 2000, local municipalities, county agencies, and environmental groups across the region.

Our Mission Today
OCCA remains dedicated to promoting the appreciation and sustainable use of Otsego County’s natural resources through education, outreach, and hands on conservation work. Our mission guides a wide range of programs that help residents stay connected to the environment, learn about local issues, and participate in solutions that benefit their communities.

Our Ongoing Priorities


To ensure our work continues to reflect community needs and emerging environmental challenges, OCCA focuses on a set of core priorities that guide our programs each year.

These include:

• Protecting land, water, and wildlife through conservation projects and invasive species management
• Building community through our Community Connections Series and other inclusive programming
• Expanding environmental education for students, teachers, families, and lifelong learners
• Providing opportunities for citizen science including water quality monitoring, hemlock woolly adelgid surveys, and other hands on projects
• Offering free and accessible public programs, lectures, workshops, and nature experiences
• Strengthening recycling, composting, and waste reduction initiatives in partnership with Otsego County
• Supporting local municipalities with planning, climate education, and sustainable land use
• Bringing the community together through events such as Earth Festival, Garden Parties, and outreach activities
• Serving as a trusted resource for environmental information and community engagement