Butternut Valley Alliance Named ‘Conservationist of the Year’

COOPERSTOWN—The Butternut Valley Alliance has been named Otsego County Conservation Association’s “Conservationist of the Year” for 2026, officials announced on Monday, August 17. The award will be presented at OCCA’s Annual Dinner on August 30 at Creek Side Station in Hartwick.

The Conservationist of the Year was established by OCCA in 1989 to recognize an individual, community group, non-profit, business, or government entity that has made an outstanding contribution to environmental protection, conservation, or education in Otsego County.

“We had a number of strong nominees, but Butternut Valley Alliance really stood out for their accomplishments, both this year and over the course of their nearly 20-year history,” said Francis Harte, MD, president of the OCCA Board of Directors.

“The Butternut Valley Alliance is a truly inspirational organization that works tirelessly and collaboratively to enhance and sustain all of life’s bounty in the Butternut Valley. I’m honored to make this award on behalf of OCCA,” Harte said.

Butternut Valley Alliance is a charitable organization that works to enhance the quality of life in the Butternut Valley through environmental stewardship, arts and culture promotion, and community development. BVA connects rural towns, villages and hamlets in the Butternut Creek watershed from Burlington to Mount Upton. The organization has played a key role in protecting the waters of Butternut Creek, trail development and maintenance in Morris and nearby state forests, water quality monitoring, and providing public education programs.

“Since 2008, BVA has been powered by volunteers who have worked to ensure the Butternut Valley watershed is as healthy as it can be,” said Cassandra Miller, BVA executive director. “We are committed to protecting this special place and ensuring a healthy, sustainable environment for generations to come.”

“BVA is a true grassroots organization that has quickly become a force for conservation, stewardship, and community development in the area,” said Jeff O’Handley, OCCA’s interim executive director. “Though they focus in the Butternut Valley, they recognize the importance of collaboration and are an eager and effective partner in many projects in the county.”

According to a press release, the BVA has played a role in permanently protecting wetlands and critical habitats along Butternut Creek, made significant contributions to the development and administration of the Butternut Creek Watershed Management Plan, and carries out monthly stream monitoring at three sites on the Butternut Creek.

BVA has also developed the Two Creeks Trail in Morris with Morris Central School and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, conducted multiple stream cleanups in the watershed and maintains trails in two state forests in the watershed. Their partners include OCCA, the Upper Susquehanna Coalition, Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District, SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, and many others.

“They are truly a powerhouse, and an inspiration,” said Harte.

In addition to the presentation of the Conservationist of the Year award, the evening will also feature a keynote address from Patricia Riddell Kent and Will Rivera focusing on the recently passed moratorium on AI data centers and crypto-mining facilities in the Town of Oneonta.

Tickets for OCCA’s Annual Dinner are $80.00 apiece and are available online at occainfo.org. For those unable to attend, silent auction donations and event sponsorships are welcome. Contact OCCA at (607) 547-4488.