Business Details
Promoting Water Quality and Sustainable Agriculture in the NYC Watershed
The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting water quality and promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry in the New York City Watershed region. Since our inception, we have collaborated with farm and forest landowners to implement conservation practices that benefit both the environment and local economies. Our approach combines strategic watershed management with public-private partnerships, including funding from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, USDA, and other agencies. We develop Whole Farm and Forest Management Plans tailored to individual properties, incorporating best management practices (BMPs) to mitigate pollution and enhance water quality. Our Conservation Easement Program ensures working landscapes remain protected for future generations, while our Farmer Education and Forestry Programs provide critical training and resources.Through initiatives like the Pure Catskills campaign, we support local food systems and economic viability for agricultural and forestry businesses. Our success stems from voluntary landowner participation, technical expertise from partners like Cornell Cooperative Extension, and a commitment to balancing environmental stewardship with community needs. We serve as a model for incentivized conservation, empowering landowners to act as stewards of New York City's drinking water supply. Our work directly contributes to delivering over 1.1 billion gallons of clean water daily to nine million residents.
Services
Conservation Easements
Farm Planning
Forestry Management
Farmer Education
Economic Viability Programs
Highlights and features
- We utilize proven public-private partnerships to deliver water quality solutions
- Our customized Whole Farm and Forest Management Plans address specific property needs
- We provide technical expertise through collaborations with Cornell Cooperative Extension and USDA
- Our Conservation Easement Program protects working landscapes for future generations
- We offer economic viability support through grants and business planning programs
Services
Conservation Easements
Our Conservation Easement Program permanently protects working farms and forests through legal agreements that ensure sustainable land use. These easements maintain agricultural viability while safeguarding water quality for future generations. Participants receive technical and financial support throughout the process.
Farm Planning
Customized Whole Farm Plans incorporate best management practices to address water quality concerns on agricultural properties. Our team collaborates with landowners to develop solutions that balance environmental protection with operational needs while maintaining farm productivity.
Forestry Management
We provide forest management planning and implementation programs that promote sustainable timber harvesting and ecosystem health. Our initiatives include BMP implementation, management assistance, and educational programs for loggers and landowners.
Farmer Education
Our Farmer Education Program offers workshops and conferences on water quality protection and sustainable farming practices. Through partnerships with Cornell Cooperative Extension, we provide science-based training to help farmers make informed conservation decisions.
Economic Viability Programs
We offer business planning assistance and micro-grant programs to enhance economic sustainability for watershed farms and forests. These initiatives help landowners implement conservation practices while improving long-term financial viability through strategic planning.
Questions
What is the Watershed Agricultural Council's primary mission?
We protect New York City's drinking water by promoting sustainable agriculture and forestry practices that maintain water quality while supporting rural economies in the watershed region.
How do you help farmers protect water quality?
We develop customized Whole Farm Plans with best management practices to address pollution concerns while maintaining agricultural productivity through voluntary landowner participation.
What conservation programs do you offer?
We provide Conservation Easements, Whole Farm and Forest Management Plans, Forestry Programs, and Economic Viability Initiatives to protect working landscapes and water resources.
How can landowners participate in your programs?
Landowners can contact us to schedule consultations for conservation planning, apply for financial assistance programs, or enroll in educational workshops and training sessions.
What areas do you serve?
We operate throughout the New York City Watershed, including the Catskill/Delaware and Croton Watersheds across six counties in upstate New York.
How is your organization funded?
Our programs receive funding from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, USDA, U.S. Forest Service, and other public and private partners supporting watershed conservation.