About the Hamilton County
Soil and Water
Conservation District
Quick Links
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Mission
and History
The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District has been working to manage and promote the wise use of natural resources in Hamilton County since 1965.
History
In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt combated the Dust Bowl by passing legislation that supported the establishment of Soil and Water Conservation Districts by local governments to conserve soil and water. The Soil and Water Conservation District Law was adopted by the State of New York in 1940.
The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District was established on February 4, 1965. Hamilton County is the third largest in New York State, and the least populated. Sixty three percent of the land is state owned Forest Preserve and remains unaltered by development. 89% of the county is forested, 5% is water and 6% is open area and hamlets.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts are a sub-division of New York State and receive funding from a variety of sources. Funding sources for the Hamilton County SWCD include New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Finger Lakes – Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance, local county appropriation, grant awards and earned income programs. Thank you to these organizations for their support.
All programs of the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political belief, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
Achievements and Awards
2022
Community Resiliency Training Program Grant
The District received $5,000 to host Rural Roads Active Management Program trainings for state-wide District staff and municipalities.
2021
Water Quality Improvement Project Program Grant
The District was awarded a $65,000 grant for the Upper – Hudson River Roadside Erosion Remediation Program, Phase II.
Agricultural Environmental Management
The District received $3,608 to implement AEM, a voluntary, incentive-based program that helps farmers and producers make cost-effective and science-based decisions to help achieve business objectives. Being part of the Hamilton County AEM Program qualifies producers to receive assistance in developing a plan that is best for your operation and our freshwater resources. AEM is voluntary and confidential.
2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018
New York Association of Conservation District’s Media Awards
- Best Education Outreach Story – 2021, 2018
- Best Agricultural Environmental Management Story – 2020
- Best Core Mission Story – 2019
2020
New York State Department of State Consolidated Funding Grant
$21,000 to assist with the development of the Upper Hudson River Watershed Revitalization Plan.
2020 and 2018
New York State Conservation District Employees’ Association Division V Merit Awards
- Marj Remias – 2020
- Lenny Croote, 2018
2018
New York Association of Conservation District’s Robert VanLare Award
Presented to District Manager Caitlin Stewart for recognition of her dedication and commitment to education.
2017
National Association of Conservation Districts’ Photography Contest
The District was awarded first place for Conservation in Action category
Invasive Species Rapid Response and Control Grant
The District was awarded $45,000 for invasive plant management.
Our
Staff Members
Caitlin Stewart
District Manager
After receiving a BS in Environmental Science and Geography from SUNY Oneonta and a MS in Geoscience from UMass Amherst, Caitlin began her career as a Conservation Educator at the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2008. In 2019, she transitioned to District Manager. Caitlin, her husband, and dog Artemis love living, working, and playing in Hamilton County. She stokes her life with outdoor adventures in the Adirondack wild and beyond, and enjoys biking, skiing, hiking, and yoga.
Our
Staff Members
Caitlin Stewart
District Manager
After receiving a BS in Environmental Science and Geography from SUNY Oneonta and a MS in Geoscience from UMass Amherst, Caitlin began her career as a Conservation Educator at the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2008. In 2019, she transitioned to District Manager. Caitlin, her husband, and dog Artemis love living, working, and playing in Hamilton County. She stokes her life with outdoor adventures in the Adirondack wild and beyond, and enjoys biking, skiing, hiking, and yoga.
Lenny Croote
Technician
Lenny began his career with Conservation Districts in 2002. He oversees Hamilton County SWCD’s sediment and erosion control program, Adirondack tree and shrub sale, and septic system program. When not in the office working on permits or GIS, he is found in the field assisting municipalities with flooding issues or landowners with invasive plants. Certifications include Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative , Onsite Wastewater Treatment Training Network, and Certified Pesticide Applicator category 3A.
Katie WhitKovits
Technician
Katie began working with Conservation Districts as a summer intern at SUNY Oneonta in 2012. She went on to work for the Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District from 2017-2022 until she finally happily landed here in Hamilton County! Katie has experience with education and outreach, invasive species programs, and an array of field work. At Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, she will be leading the Agricultural Environmental Management Program, Envirothon, and Conservation Field Day. She loves kayaking, camping and anything else she can enjoy out in the Adirondacks with her husband and dogs.
Katie WhitKovitz
Technician
Katie began working with Conservation Districts as a summer intern at SUNY Oneonta in 2012. She went on to work for the Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District from 2017-2022 until she finally happily landed here in Hamilton County! Katie has experience with education and outreach, invasive species programs, and an array of field work. At Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, she will be leading the Agricultural Environmental Management Program, Envirothon, and Conservation Field Day. She loves kayaking, camping and anything else she can enjoy out in the Adirondacks with her husband and dogs.
Marj Remias
Clerk and Secretary to the Board
Marj joined the HCSWC District in 2017 as Secretary/Treasurer. As an early retiree and native of the Adirondacks, she has found a new home here at the District. Marj is often selling grass seed, straw, receiving water samples or directing inquiries to staff when not doing office work. As a nature enthusiast, she is very happy to be working in a conservation capacity.
Our
Board Members
Victoria Buyce
Chairperson
John M. Stortecky
Vice Chairperson
Shawn Hansen
Member at Large
Betsy Bain
Town Supervisor
Nick Mauro
Town Supervisor
Board Meeting
Agendas and Minutes
Agendas and Minutes > 2023
Minutes 2022
- Minutes – December 2022
- Agenda – December 2022
- Minutes – November 2022
- Agenda – November 2022
- Minutes – September 2022
- Minutes – October 2022
- Agenda – October 2022
- Minutes – August 2022
- Minutes – July 2022
- Minutes – June 2022
- Minutes – May 2022
- Minutes – April 2022
- Minutes – March 2022
- Minutes – February 2022
- Minutes – January 2022
Publications
For Your Information
Publications
For Your Information
Water Quality Coordinating Committee
As determined by WQCC members, protecting Hamilton County’s waters is of the utmost importance. Water quality concerns include invasive species, road salt, faulty septic systems, sedimentation, shoreline development, harmful algal blooms, and public education. Funding is continuously sought to remediate these concerns with appropriate best management practices.
Please review our Water Quality Strategy Report in the publications section, above.
