IMAGES: For more images, please contact Tara Collins. PHOTO CREDIT: www.nycwatershed.org  CAPTION: Twelve loggers built six, 20-ft. skidder-bridge panels duringa one-day Trained Logger Certification Continuing Education Classat Axtell-Bradtke Lumber in Masonville, Delaware County. Thesepanels are available at no cost to loggers in the NYC Watershedto be used on timber harvests that require a stream crossing.The Council's Forestry Program trained more than 100 forest professionals through workshops on safety, forest ecology, and water quality. http://www.nycwatershed.org/images/Skidder_Bridge-Workshop_IMG_0031.JPGCAPTION: Year-round, supporters put a face to buying local at events like the Cauliflower Festival, Margaretville. http://www.nycwatershed.org/images/Pure-Catskills-2012-Cauliflower-Festival.jpg
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WALTON, N.Y., March 13, 2013- The Watershed Agricultural Council (Council) recently released its 2012 Annual Report online at www.nycwatershed.org. Celebrating its 20th year, the Watershed Agricultural Council continues to protect both the rural, land-based economy of the watershed region and the drinking water quality of a reservoir system that serves over nine million New Yorkers. Partnering with farmers, agri-businesses, woodland owners, forest industry professionals and others, the Council furthers both regional business profitability and environmental stewardship. The Council also assists private landowners in using a variety of best management practices, education, tools and approaches, such as conservation easements, to keep property within a working landscape. Working alongside with these various private stakeholders, the Council seeks to enhance both business profitability and environmental stewardship. It works with over 500 farmers and 1,000 private woodland owners in the Croton, Catskill and Delaware Watersheds. Accomplishments of note in 2012 include:
- Protection of 23,201 acres of farmland and working landscapes through the Conservation Easement Program.
- Completion of 250 Best Management Practices (BMPs) on 111 farms totaling $1.97 million in the Catskill/Delaware Watersheds through the Watershed Agricultural Program
- Completion of 59 BMPs on 22 farms totaling $578,130 through the East of Hudson Program.
- Development/updating of 79 forest stewardship plans encompassing more than 10,000 acres. Since 1996, 1,082 plans have been completed covering more than 150,000 acres through the Watershed Forestry Program.
- Promotion of 207 Pure Catskills members through the "Fresh From the Catskills" coordinated with funding from NYS Agriculture & Markets USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant. The Watershed Agricultural Council oversees a regional buy local economic initiative under the Pure Catskills brand that connects regional farm, food and wood product businesses to consumers and outside markets through direct marketing and online outlets.
- Total program expenditures in 2012 came to $12.7 million, most of which was circulated among contractors, suppliers, businesses and community organizations throughout the Croton and Catskill/Delaware watershed regions where the Council works with private landowners. The Council performs this work with funding from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. U.S.D.A, U.S. Forest Service and other federal, state, and private sources.
These and other Council activities are detailed in the 2012 Annual Report which may be found online at www.nycwatershed.org/pdfs/Watershed-Agricultural-Council-Annual-Report-2012.pdf. To request a hard copy, call (607) 865-7090, ext. 226. Area residents are encouraged to follow the Council's activities year-round by subscribing to their monthly e-newsletter, Water & Land, liking their Facebook Pages for Pure Catskills and the Watershed Agricultural Council, or visiting www.nycwatershed.org and www.BuyPureCatskills.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
START: March 13, 2013
END: April 15, 2013
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SUMMARY: Success of watershed management and drinking water protection programs is a result of public-private partnerships like those conducted by the Watershed Agricultural Council. The nonprofit shares its latest accomplishments and landowner achievements in its 2012 Annual Report.
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RELEASE CONTACT:
Tara Collins
Communications Director
(607) 865-7790, ext. 226
(607) 643-5148 cell
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The Watershed Agricultural Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City Watershed region. The WAC is funded by The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service and other federal, foundation and private sources. The WAC is an Equal Opportunity Providers and Employers.
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