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2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

Written by Heather Magnan on . Posted in News.

The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is pleased to present the 2021 Annual Report, filled with our greatest accomplishments amidst the most challenging times. We hope it brings you joy to read about the many conservation successes achieved this year. With the unwavering commitment of many including the WAC’s Board and staff, we not only survived incredible fiscal challenges and leadership transitions, but rose to the occasion and triumphed.

Despite the many challenges we faced, the WAC continued throughout 2021 to make a difference on farms and in the forest. Throughout these pages you’ll read about the Weber Family’s new calf feeding facility and the positive impact it will have on water quality. You’ll learn how we adapted to change during COVID-19 and our new ways of doing business, such as the WAC Forestry Program offering successful and educational virtual bus tours. You’ll hear from John Verhoeven, a Pure Catskills member and a WAC Pilot Farmer, about his operation and the changes his farm has made throughout the years. We also highlight the success of the Truesdell Farm Easement which guaranteed a farm family’s legacy.

What these pages don’t reflect is how the WAC worked endlessly behind the scenes to create a better better accounting practices to provide transparency, accountability and ensure the continuity of programs. We also established a clear strategic vision that allows our mission, policies and programs to evolve, but that are still in-line with our partner and funder, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. We now have a renewed and clear foundation to launch a better WAC, by promoting smart and able sta ers to greater responsibilities and recruiting savvy professionals to join our ranks.

The Council is also happy to announce the appointment of Ryan Naatz as Executive Director. Ryan has worked tirelessly to ensure the WAC’s future throughout 2021 after he was appointed Interim Executive Director in November 2020. We are confident in his leadership and look forward to the new year with renewed vigor, and even greater capacity to protect our community and preserve our natural assets.

Lastly and certainly most importantly, the Council also wants to extend a sincere thank you to our WAC participants. The work and accomplishments we have been able to collaboratively continue to do and achieve despite significant challenges has not gone unnoticed. Here’s to a successful 2022!

—Wayland “Bud” Gladstone, Council Chair

Read the report here.

WAC Appoints New Executive Director

Written by Heather Magnan on . Posted in News.

Walton, NY, December 2, 2021- The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Naatz as Executive Director. Naatz has worked for the WAC since 2009, with an educational background in Environmental Science and Geography. He is a Milford native, spending his free time boating on Goodyear Lake, biking, hiking and is an avid hunter and fisherman. His love for conservation began while working with his father in the forestry and construction trades. Naatz now resides in East Meredith, NY with his family, Danielle and Everett, and their dogs Riley and Maddie.
 
When asked about his role at the WAC Naatz stated, “Nothing here has ever felt like work. I genuinely believe in what the Watershed Agricultural Council stands for and look forward to advancing our collective efforts.”
 
Bud Gladstone, Council Chair, stated, “As Chair, it is an honor to announce the appointment of such a dedicated staff member who began his career with the Watershed Agricultural Council as a Land Conservation Specialist, moving onto Easement Program Director, Interim Executive Director and now Executive Director. Thank you, Ryan, for stepping up and leading the WAC in our mission to fulfill our obligations for land conservation and clean water for NYS residents. After a year of uncertainty and trying times, Ryan has proven himself to be an outstanding and true leader as well as a relationship builder for both partners and our funder, NYC DEP. Ryan not only accepted the Interim role during difficult times, but he rose to the occasion and has been able to help the WAC get back on a positive path moving forward.”
 
The Watershed Agricultural Council looks forward to the stability and experience Naatz brings to this position.
 

Join us for Giving Tuesday

Written by Heather Magnan on . Posted in News.

We are looking to our like-minded supporters who share our goals of supporting and protecting farm and forest land in our beautiful region. Like you, we recognize our natural resources are central to our quality of life. We need fresh water to drink, clean air to breathe, healthy food to eat and economic prosperity to sustain our lives and communities. Now, more than ever, our local food system and food security are vital. Broken supply chains have taught the world just how precious our farms and local resources are.

The Watershed Agricultural Council, an on-the-ground local organization of committed professionals, uses both science and law through economic and conservation strategies to protect NYC’s Watershed for close to 30 years. Because of this commitment and capacity, the Catskill Mountains are a source of safe and abundant drinking water to the Northeast’s largest metropolitan city. We ensure the delivery of over one billion gallons of fresh drinking water every day to more than nine million NYC residents.

When we protect a farm, we preserve a way of life. For generations, people in the Catskills have appreciated the rural character of the region’s undeveloped landscape: beautiful farm and forestland patched together with cool mountain streams.

Join us today as we protect farms, forests and clean water by donating online at: nycwatershed.org/donate

Thank you for supporting the Watershed Agricultural Council’s mission of promoting the economic viability of agriculture and forestry, the protection of water quality, and the conservation of working landscapes for generations to come!

#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on November 30, 2021 and every day.

WAC Update: October 5, 2021

Written by Heather Magnan on . Posted in News.

October 5, 2021

Dear Colleagues, Partners and Participants,

Since January, the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) worked diligently to correct and catch-up on the contractually required process to receive payments from our main funder, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Forced to implement austerity measures for much of the year to address cash flow deficiencies, WAC also did so to limit additional liabilities while a third-party audit was conducted of WAC’s financial records.

Despite noteworthy improvements for timely submittals and remittance of payments, as well as an overall audit conclusion that “Council was in compliance with the contractual requirements except for the questioned costs and findings…,” several deficiencies and material discoveries noted therein, reasonably justified City recommendations for greater oversight of public funds. Working under that premise, but in collective recognition of WAC’s critical role to the region and water supply, next steps include entering into a Monitor Agreement with the NYC Department of Investigations (DOI). While DOI typically leads anti-corruption efforts through systemic investigations, it also provides comprehensive recommendations aimed to improve operations, transparency and accountability. In that regard, WAC intends to move forward to improve processes, give ratepayers the assurances they deserve and to fully restore the programs our staff, partners and participants have worked so hard to create and maintain.

The Monitor Agreement also provides confidence that our next contract (CAT-503, $19M) is registered and available to bridge any potential financial shortfalls. Often noted as the “Easement” contract, CAT-503 funds a significant portion of WAC’s total operating budget. Guarantees here, along with the Council’s unwavering commitment to the farm and forest landowners they serve, will ensure WAC survives, thrives and is eventually stronger for it.

Thank you for your patience amidst what has proven to the most challenging, yet resilient year for the organization. While additional updates will be provided as soon as practicable, please feel free to contact me directly should you have any questions.

Respectfully, 
Ryan W. Naatz
WAC Interim Executive Director | (607) 865-7790 ext. 118 | ryannaatz@nycwatershed.org

PR: Clean Sweep 2021

Written by Heather Magnan on . Posted in News.

Clean Sweep 2021 to be held October 8th and 9th

DELHI, NY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021– Gather up old paints, thinners and pesticides. Clean Sweep 2021 is the place to turn in all those questionable items that might pollute our waterways, soils and homes.

Every year, regional partners for clean water and a healthy environment host a community hazardous waste collection day, known as Clean Sweep. Now in its 25th year, Clean Sweep provides a safe disposal venue by collecting chemicals and other materials which pose a threat to public health, water and environment.

Clean Sweep is free to farmers in the eight NYC Watershed counties and free to all Delaware County household residents. Delaware County businesses, municipalities and county agencies are also invited to properly dispose of waste materials. Disposal services for businesses and municipalities are provided “at cost” with a cost estimate based on your itemized disposal list.

Register online at cleansweepdelaware.eventbrite.com or call (607) 865-6474 to get your appointment for HHW (household hazardous waste) redemption.This public service is brought to you by the Watershed Agricultural Council, Delaware County Department of Public Works and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County with funding from NYC DEP and NYS DEC.

For more information or to register online, visit:
cleansweepdelaware.eventbrite.com

Please note: Registration is required, masks are required.

View the event here.

Cover Crops in the NYC Watershed

Written by Heather Magnan on . Posted in News.

Cover Crops are a Best Management Practice utilized by farmers in the NYC Watershed. Cover crops help keep nutrients out of the water supply, help prevent soil erosion and increase soil health. Watch the video below to learn more about cover crops in the NYC Watershed!