Dutchess County Watershed Roundtable

Each and every one of us lives in a watershed.  A watershed is the area of land in which all of the water that falls onto that land drains into a single outlet, often a stream or river. Watersheds provide critical natural services that sustain or enrich our daily lives: they supply our drinking water, critical habitat for plants and animals, areas of natural beauty, and water bodies for recreation and relaxation. As our towns and communities continue to grow in size, watersheds and their services can be threatened and/or harmed. Communities are turning to watershed protection to maintain the watershed services that they stand to lose as they develop. 

The Dutchess County Watershed Roundtable is organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County’s Environment & Energy Program in partnership with the Housatonic Valley Association and the Wappinger Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council. It is designed to provide Dutchess County municipal officials, watershed organizations, conservation advisory committees (CACs), educators, and the public with information and resources on how to protect local water resources. 

The Roundtable will be divided into two parts; the first half of the evening being dedicated to brief overviews of the respective watershed groups, their issues, and their projects. The second half of the evening will consist of facilitated small-group discussions focused on addressing commons goals, challenges, and future collaboration potential.

Space for the Roundtable is limited, and registration must be made in advance.  The event is free of cost, and municipal training credits (2.5 hours) will be provided.  For more information, contact Sean Carroll, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County’s Environment Program at 845-677-8223 x147 or smc427@cornell.edu.

 Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this agency are partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.