NYSACC makes local conservation work easier—by connecting communities to practical resources, trainings, and real peer support across New York State.  We’re excited to launch a new member benefit: this quarterly newsletter featuring community news, grant opportunities, upcoming events, and opportunities to connect and collaborate with peers across the state.

Local Environmental Leadership

Communities across New York are facing growing environmental challenges and local governments are being asked to balance growth, environmental protection, and long-term resilience. Conservation Commissions are playing an important role in helping communities navigate these complex decisions.Conservation Commissions bring together residents to work alongside planning boards, elected officials, and community partners, to help review projects, identify environmental concerns, and recommend solutions that protect and improve their communities. Across the state, volunteer groups are leading tree planting initiatives, supporting habitat restoration, promoting green infrastructure, and engaging residents.NYSACC supports this work by providing resources and opportunities for collaboration among commissions across the state. By strengthening local conservation leadership, NYSACC helps communities share ideas, learn from one another, and build a more resilient future for New York.

New in 2026: Conservation Connect

Every 4th Monday, 2:00–3:00pm (ET). Starting March 23rd! Add This Event To Your CalendarAnnouncing Conservation Connect, a monthly call to share updates, ask questions, and connect with peers from across New York State. This informal conversation is a space to meet fellow conservationists, learn from one another and strengthen our statewide network, whether you’re looking for ideas, want to hear what others are working on, or have a challenge on which you’d like feedback.Each call will begin with a brief update from NYSACC, followed by open discussion. Members are encouraged to bring project highlights, questions, funding needs and opportunities, or emerging issues in their communities. It’s a chance to exchange practical knowledge, celebrate successes, and collaborate on solutions to common conservation challenges.These calls are open to all members and are intended to be welcoming and flexible—feel free to join when you can, listen in, or actively participate in the conversation.Mark your calendar and join us for the first Conservation Connect as we build stronger connections across New York’s conservation community.

Get Involved with NYSACC

There are many ways to be part of the NYSACC network:Share a project or success story or event.Submit a question to Ask NYSACC.Encourage your municipality to become a member.Volunteer to serve on a NYSACC committee or the Board of Directors.Together, we can strengthen and support local environmental leadership across New York.Contact Us

Board of Directors MeetingMembers are invited to attend the upcoming Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting on Sunday, March 29, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. The meeting will be held in-person in Ithaca with a virtual participation option available.This is a great opportunity to hear updates, learn about current initiatives, and connect with the leadership and fellow members.If you’re interested in attending, please confirm your interest, and we will share additional details and access information closer to the event.Interest Form

Committee Meeting ScheduleNYSACC committees and working groups meet monthly to discuss topics related to the organization’s operations and priorities. These meetings help advance environmental work across New York State by sharing ideas, coordinating initiatives, and supporting members in their conservation efforts.  Coastal Resiliency Network: Every 2nd Monday | 6:00-7:00 pmWestchester Environmental Network Organizers: Every 2nd Tuesday | 12:00-1:00 pm and Every 3rd Thursday | 12:00-1:00 pmCommunications: Every 2nd Tuesday | 1:00-2:00 pmYouth Committee: Every 2nd Thursday | 5:30-6:30 pmFood Scraps Diversion: Every 3rd Monday | 10:00-11:00 amEnvironmental Justice: Every 3rd Wednesday | 12:00-1:00 pmLegislative Committee: Every 3rd Thursday | 6:00-7:00 pmMembership: Every 4th Wednesday | 10:00-11:00 am

NYSACC Calendar and Meeting Links

Ask NYSACC

Have a question about projects, funding, or best practices? Submit it to “Ask NYSACC” at communications@nysacc.org to see how we can support your community.Your Questions, AnsweredQ: What is an Environmental Management Council (EMC) and how are they managed?   A: An EMC is a county-level advisory body in New York State that helps local governments address environmental issues and improve coordination on conservation, land use, and sustainability. EMCs typically include representatives from municipalities within a county, along with additional members appointed by the county. Members often include residents, environmental professionals, planners, educators, and representatives from local conservation advisory councils. The role of an EMC is primarily advisory and educational.Most EMC members serve as volunteers, and councils are typically supported by the county through staff assistance or a small operating budget. The structure, membership terms, and activities of an EMC can vary depending on how each county chooses to organize and support the council.EMCs are part of NYSACC too!

Community News

The Village of Lancaster Climate Smart Task Force partnered with The Tool Library to host a Dare to Repair Café, giving residents the opportunity to bring in broken household items and learn how to fix them. From small appliances to everyday essentials, volunteers worked side-by-side with participants to troubleshoot and repair instead of replace.The event welcomed 50+ community members, and 80% of items brought in were successfully repaired—keeping valuable materials out of the landfill and saving residents money. Beyond the repairs, the café sparked conversations about waste reduction, resource sharing, and the power of community-based climate action.Have a project, partnership, or success story to share? We’d love to feature your highlights in an upcoming newsletter.

Are you involved in land-use decision-making in your municipality?Hudsonia invites those involved in municipal land-use planning and natural resource management in New York State to share insights about forest protection. Input will directly shape a new Forest Conservation Toolkit designed to: reflect on-the-ground needs; support site-level and regional decision-making; and strengthen local capacity to protect high-value forests. Responses are due by April 1, 2026. To access the survey and learn about Hudsonia’s toolkit, visit Hudsonia.org/forest-conservation. Survey results will be shared with NYSACC and our members. We encourage all of our members to take the survey, even though the introduction discusses the Hudson Valley. Hudsonia hopes to do a regional level analysis.

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Here are a few current or upcoming grants that may be a good fit for local projects:  Tree Campus Jumpstart Stipend Grants New York State Pollution Prevention Institute Community Grants Program Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program Forest Conservation Technical Assistance Opportunity for Hudson Valley Municipalities Long Island Sound Futures Fund Open Space Conservation Grant DEC Grant Opportunities  NYSERDA Funding Opportunities NYS Grants Management Federal GrantsGrants Action Newsletter March 2026

Upcoming Events

Have an event to share? Send it our way for the next newsletter.  March 16-May 14,2026: Annual Spring Burn Ban – All NYSApril 14-16, 2026: