Submitted by the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance
The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA), established in 2006, is a diverse group of organizations and people who want to conserve and protect the forested character of the Rensselaer Plateau and the many economic and environmental benefits it provides. The Rensselaer Plateau is a spectacular resource of about 105,000 acres that includes the fifth largest forest in New York State and endless opportunities for recreation, tourism, commerce and traditional living. A grassroots organization, the RPA is people living in the area who share a common interest in ensuring that future generations will experience and value the many benefits of the plateau.
Protecting our forests for the future means planning ahead and working together. We consider one of the best ways to accomplish this is simply by talking with our neighbors. If we all do our part, we can protect the plateau for our future.
In the past year we talked with our neighbors at many events including public forums, landowner workshops, public displays, town board meetings and woods walks. Knowledge is a key tool to understanding that preservation and protection do not happen alone. Preservation and protection require collaboration and proactive actions – all of which are currently happening because the people and organizations of RPA talk with their neighbors, friends, municipalities and elected officials about this “superlative” resource in our backyard and how we all play a role in protecting it. Come talk to us at the Grafton Winter Festival on January 19 or at one of our future events. Learn more about our events and regularly scheduled open meetings at www.rensselaerplateau.org.
