Rensselaer Plateau Regional Conservation Plan:

We need your help to develop a Rensselaer Plateau Regional Conservation Plan, (the “Plan”).

Phase I of the project will consist of collecting and mapping a comprehensive set of ecological data for the Plateau, and will be conducted by resident Ecologist, Dr. David Hunt. During this stage, the RPA will also seek the input of the entire community of stakeholders (local officials, residents, forest land owners, recreational users and the local forest products industry) as to what they value about the Plateau’s landscape and how the Plan could include their sense of stewardship. To date, the RPA has already invited each of the 10 towns of the plateau and the Village of East Nassau to participate in the development of the Plan. The total cost for Phase I will be $40,000. Half of this will be paid by for by the $20,000 match of in-kind services by Dr. David Hunt.

We plan to raise the remaining $20,000 for Phase I from individuals and foundations by April 1, 2010. The RPA will receive help from several of its Alliance Members and from staff of the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program. Work on Phase I will begin as soon as funds become available and will continue as fundraising progresses. The RPA is a 501(c)(3) organization so all donations are tax exempt to the extent provided by law.

Phase II of the project will consist of hiring an outside consultant to run a series of detailed focus groups to bring local official together to provide their thoughts and input. One or more of the focus groups will include the public. From the results of the focus groups and from the ecological data and community value data gathered in phase I a draft Plan will be written. The draft plan will then go through a review process resulting in a final Rensselaer Plateau Regional Conservation Plan. We expect Phase II to begin sometime in 2011.

In May of 2008 we wrote a grant to the Hudson River Estuary Program to fund this project. At that time the expectation was that we would hear about the grant in the fall of 2008. With the fiscal situation in New York State we have still not heard. In November 2009 we heard that the entire grant program was on indefinite hold. We are now hoping that the economy recovers so that the funds may become available once again sometime in 2011. We understand that the State must make difficult decisions and that there are many important programs that must be funded. While we think that this is an important project we would not suggest that it is more important than funding our schools for instance. In the meantime we are going to do our part to support the community by raising the funds to move forward.

Municipalities that have passed Resolutions of Support:

Municipalities that have indicated support:

Don't see your town on the list? (Berlin, Petersburg, Stephentown) Write them a letter and give them a nudge to get on board.