News
2021 Bare Root Tree & Shrub Sale
The order deadline has passed for this year's annual Bare Root Tree & Shrub Sale. GCSWCD is no longer accepting orders for the 2021 Bare Root Tree & Shrub Sale. For those who placed orders this year, the pick-up dates are April 23rd and 24th.
Click here to go to the Bare Root Tree & Shrub Sale webpage.
2021 Schoharie Watershed Summit
The Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District's Schoharie Watershed Stream Management Program is excited to announce that last year’s Schoharie Watershed Summit is now rescheduled and will be held as a series of virtual Zoom sessions over the course of three Saturday mornings in 2021:
Virtual Session #1—Saturday, March 20th, 2021 (9:00am-11:15am)
Virtual Session #2—Saturday, April 17th, 2021 (9:00am-10:00am)
Virtual Session #3—Saturday, May 1st, 2021 (9:00am-11:45am)
Where is the Schoharie Reservoir watershed? The Schoharie Reservoir watershed is located in the northern Catskill Mountains and includes portions of three counties (Greene, Delaware, and Schoharie) in New York State. The following towns are included, or partially included, within this watershed: Windham, Jewett, Ashland, Prattsville, Hunter, Lexington, Halcott, Stamford, Roxbury, Conesville, Gilboa, and Jefferson.
Who should attend? The information presented at the Schoharie Watershed Summit is focused on the area of land in and around the Schoharie Reservoir watershed. Local residents, planning board and zoning board of appeals members, elected officials, and members of the general public who live and work in and around the Schoharie Reservoir watershed are encouraged to attend this annual event.
The virtual sessions will be held using Zoom. Participants will have the option to interact using audio/video during designated Q&A times as well as the option to use the chat feature during the event. (Note: Event hosts are unable to provide technical assistance with using Zoom prior to or during the event. For technical assistance, we recommend that you visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362003)
The virtual sessions are free, but advanced registration is required. Attendees should register for each session that they plan to attend. More information, registration deadlines, and links to register online for each session can be found at the link below. Space is limited for each session.
Annual NYS Agricultural Assessment Work Complete for 2021
NYS Agricultural Assessment Program work has concluded. All Agricultural Assessment Applications were due to the local town assessor’s office as of the taxable status date of March 1st. It is at the discretion of each local town assessor’s office to decide if late Agricultural Assessment Applications will be accepted. Any request for GCSWCD to prepare a Soil Group Worksheet and soil map for an eligible parcel after March 1st must come directly from the town assessor’s office.
Please provide the following information when requesting a Soil Group Worksheet and soil map from GCSWCD:
- Applicant Contact Information
- Property Owner/Business Name (as it will appear on the application)
- Mailing address (as it will appear on the application)
- Phone Number and Email
- Contact Information for whoever requests the assessment (if different from property owner)
- Tax Parcel ID (ex. XXX.XX - X - XX)
- Tax Parcel Local Address
- Agricultural District Inclusion Status
- Brief description of land area used for agriculture.
- Recent Property Changes
- Clearing of woods
- Subdivisions
- Change of ownership
- Rental Status
- Is the property rented out or is it farmed by the property owner?
Requests from town assessors should be directed to Michelle McDonough, Conservation District Program Technician, by phone at 518-622-3620 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Programs Available
Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)
GCSWCD staff are available to help farmers interested in participating in the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program. This state program was designed to enhance farm operations while protecting natural resources. As part of the program, staff evaluate current agricultural practices, offer conservations plans to address concerns, and connect the farm with available financial or technical assistance. Participation in AEM a requirement for NYS Grown & Certified. To learn more about AEM, visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/soil-and-water/agricultural-environmental-management
Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI) is Currently Accepting Applications
Are you a streamside landowner with property located in the Schoharie watershed? Schoharie watershed landowners with property within a riparian buffer (streamside) area may be eligible to participate in the CSBI program. Participants of this program work with GCSWCD to develop a planting plan for native trees and flowering shrubs to be installed within the riparian buffer zone.
What is a riparian buffer? Riparian, or streamside, buffers are vegetated or undisturbed natural areas along a stream. There are many benefits to installing a riparian buffer or increasing its size along a stream, including:
- Improved water quality: Riparian buffers serve as natural biofilters, protecting aquatic environments from polluted surface runoff. Riparian buffers reduce the amount of sediment flowing into streams by slowing surface water velocity and capturing sediment before it enters the stream. Riparian buffers reduce nutrients (i.e. nitrogen and phosphorous), pesticides, and other chemicals by slowing surface water velocity and allowing water to soak into the ground (infiltration) or be absorbed by the plants, which are able to naturally break down some of these pollutants.
- Increased habitat: Riparian buffers are extremely complex ecosystems that help provide optimum food and habitat for stream communities. The habitat provided by trees and shrubs also doubles as a corridor for species that have had their habitat fragmented by various land uses. Both aquatic and terrestrial species benefit from riparian buffers that have been protected or restored. The leaves and woody debris that fall into the stream provide food and habitat for even the tiniest of aquatic creatures, which are critical for the food chain.
- Stabilized streambanks: Native plants form extensive root systems that help hold the soil in place and slow the process of erosion.
- Water temperature control: By providing shade over the streams, trees and shrubs are able to help regulate the water temperature. They can even have a significant impact on moderating the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, particularly in our headwater streams.
- Improved flood control: Riparian buffers encourage infiltration of stormwater by slowing the speed of the water running off the land and increasing the amount of water that is absorbed into the ground. Groundwater enters the stream at a much slower rate than surface water, which helps control flooding and maintain stream flow throughout the year.
For more information about CSBI, click here or contact Laura at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 518-622-3620.