Delaware County NY Soil and Water Conservation District

Delaware County NY Soil and Water Conservation District Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District (DCSWCD), New York

What a great event from the month of May, where Delaware County truly demonstrated the power of partnership!
05/27/2026

What a great event from the month of May, where Delaware County truly demonstrated the power of partnership!

If not secured, fuel oil and propane tanks pose a significant environmental and safety hazard during a flood. Property o...
05/19/2026

If not secured, fuel oil and propane tanks pose a significant environmental and safety hazard during a flood. Property owners in CRS communities can take steps to reduce flood impacts, such as securing tanks. Actionable steps like these add up and can positively impact the CRS rating of their municipality. The Community Rating System (CRS) program helps reduce flood insurance premium discounts.

If you live within the West-of-Hudson Watershed, contact Catskill Watershed Corporation for assistance anchoring your eligible tanks at no cost. For more info and related forms, visit: https://cwconline.org/programs/flood-hazard-mitigation/.

Not in the WOH Watershed or a CRS community, but still concerned about flooding? Contact your fuel oil or propane dealer or service company to discuss how to secure your tanks and protect your property and community.

DCSWCD’s Stream Program staff work closely with CRS communities to develop and implement projects that meet the goals of the CRS program as well as provide technical support with the community’s annual renewal and five-year verification paperwork. Participating municipalities in Delaware County include the Town of Walton, Village of Walton, Town of Middletown, Village of Margaretville Page, and Fleischmanns, Village of.

Photos of tanks installed in the Towns of Delhi and Walton courtesy of CWC.

"WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has determined that conservation of soil resources and control and prevention of soil...
05/18/2026

"WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has determined that conservation of soil resources and control and prevention of soil erosion are problems of public concern in the county of Delaware...
THEREFORE, NOW BE IT RESOLVED, that Delaware County be and the same is hereby declared a Soil Conservation Districts Law, Chapter 883, Laws of 1945."

This marks the 80th year of the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District! 🎉

Do YOU have a piece of DCSWCD history to share? 👀 Drop it in the comments below!

Planting and protecting native plant species are actions that almost everyone can do to support protected, threatened, a...
05/15/2026

Planting and protecting native plant species are actions that almost everyone can do to support protected, threatened, and endangered species. While not officially listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, monarch butterflies have been proposed to be added, with populations having declined by more than 80% since the 1990s. Internationally, monarchs are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Whether you plant milkweed and native plant seeds or simply let the native wild plants grow in your yard or meadow, you are making a difference for monarchs and other protected species that rely on native plants. Want to go a step further? W**d out invasives that threaten native plants and plant additional native species that support our important and protected native animal species, or support further conservation efforts locally, nationally, and internationally.

DCSWCD’s Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program/CSBI focus streamside buffer plantings on native trees and shrubs to support wildlife and native ecological systems. Together, we all make a difference.

Viburnum nudum, also known as Northern Wild Raisin or Possumhaw, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America an...
05/14/2026

Viburnum nudum, also known as Northern Wild Raisin or Possumhaw, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America and southeastern Canada. While fairly common in New York State’s swampy and boggy eastern areas, it is listed as endangered in several states, including neighboring Pennsylvania, and is also a plant of special concern in Connecticut. Reaching heights of 15 feet, the shrubs are typically found in wetlands which make them a great option for riparian plantings.

A beautiful native plant, Northern Wild Raisin has clusters of delicate, white flowers in the spring, followed by berry-like fruit clusters in shades of yellow, light rosy-pink, deep rose, and bluish-black. The smooth, deep green leaves provide a glossy backdrop spring through fall.

The plant is host to the Spring Azure Butterfly and Hummingbird Clearwing Moths, and its flowers attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and other insects. Ripened berries are consumed by various songbirds, as well as Ruffed Grouse and mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, skunks, and deer which may also use thickets as habitat.

If you have any questions about native plants or want to learn more, feel free to reach out to DCSWCD’s Catherine Skalda at 607-865-5223, or find us at www.delawarecountystreams.org.

Flower and shrub in landscape photo source: wildadirondacks.org

DCSWCD’s robust stream program is locally led, which means that our staff is local: we live here, we steward the water, ...
05/12/2026

DCSWCD’s robust stream program is locally led, which means that our staff is local: we live here, we steward the water, we recreate in it, and it is our livelihood. We make sure Delaware County’s future generations – our future generations – are protected from threats such as invasive species and flooding through sound science-based decision making and valuable programs. We love Delaware County, our beautiful rural home.

05/08/2026

Last month, DCSWCD’s Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI) spent time with students from the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES Conservation course to help celebrate Earth Day by improving the local habitat on the Trout Creek campus. Here’s a little 360 peek into the event and be sure to look back at our posts for photos!

It’s time for spring migration! Delaware County residents can take action to protect migrating birds as they navigate ni...
05/07/2026

It’s time for spring migration! Delaware County residents can take action to protect migrating birds as they navigate night skies by participating in the national “Lights Out” initiative. Simple steps such as turning off non-essential outdoor lighting from 11 p.m. to dawn, April through May and August through November, make a big difference!

You can also take steps to protect bird and wildlife habitat on your property by planting native plants and trees, removing invasive plants, and making windows more visible to birds to minimize bird collisions. A great source of native trees and shrubs is our annual spring tree and shrub sale. While the 2026 sale has passed, it’s never too early to start planning for next year.

As part of the Earth Day and Arbor Day recognition, DCSWCD’s Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI) partnered with SU...
05/04/2026

As part of the Earth Day and Arbor Day recognition, DCSWCD’s Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative (CSBI) partnered with SUNY Delhi’s Sustainability Club and other SUNY Delhi students to expand tree and shrub plantings at The College Golf Course at Delhi. More than 25 students braved the unrelenting rain and cold to plant over 125 native tree and shrub saplings, gaining hands-on conservation experience as well as community service hours.

These new plantings help filter nutrients, improve water quality before reaching the Little Delaware River. They will also provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators. The project celebrates the value of community environmental efforts. Native areas such as this on golf courses are essential for promoting biodiversity, supporting local wildlife, and maintaining ecological balance

Since 2009, CSBI has supported riparian buffer installations throughout the West-of-Hudson Watershed, benefiting water quality, wildlife, and reducing erosion and flooding impacts.

For more info about riparian buffers and native plantings, or to see how CSBI can help to improve your streamside property, contact DCSWCD CSBI Coordinator Catherine Skalda at 607-510-7076, or at www.delawarecountystreams.org/programs/.

Photos: SUNY Delhi students and staff in various stages of planting trees and shrubs.

Address

44 West Street, Suite 1
Walton, NY
13856

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+16078657161

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Delaware County NY Soil and Water Conservation District posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category