READ THE 2022 ANNUAL REPORT

The Watershed Agricultural Council not only recognizes change, we embrace it. This year, long-standing efforts in Agriculture, Forestry, Economic Viability and Conservation Easements proved resilient to restore programming and find new ways to support the regions’ working landscapes. We are proud to be a vital part of the watershed community and look forward to aiding landowners as their operations expand, evolve and transition, as we resume full program implementation in 2023. Read through the pages of our 2022 Annual Report here.

CLIMATE GRANT AWARDED

Columbia University’ Center for Climate Systems Research (CCSR) and Agricultural Modeling Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) have been awarded $2.95 million in Congressional Community Project Funding from Congressman Nadler and Senator Schumer for “Addressing Climate Challenges to Agriculture and Water Quality in the New York City Watershed.” This project provides an opportunity for WAC to collaborate with a global alliance of agriculture and climate modelers, scientists and economists to address recommendations from the National Academy of Science’s 2018 review of the Watershed Protection Plan. Read more here.

APPLY FOR A CONSERVATION EASEMENT

Conservation easements allow people to protect the land they love. WAC easements conserve agricultural and forestry lands and protect water quality by limiting the form, location, and density of development while promoting sound agricultural stewardship and/or well-managed forestry activities. All the while, the land remains in private ownership.

To be eligible for an Agricultural Easement, a property must be at least 50 acres in size, have a Whole Farm Plan in good standing with the Watershed Agricultural Council, and have streams or wetlands on it. To be eligible for a Forest Easement, a property must be at least 100 acres in size, have a Forest Management Plan or be enrolled in NYS's 480a Forest Tax Law Program, and have streams or wetlands on it.

Please do not hesitate to contact CE Program staff directly at (607) 865-7790 x 120 to discuss the application process, or download the application here.