OCCA Members are Off the Trail without a Compass!

COOPERSTOWN, NY (04/22/2012)(readMedia)-- In an effort to raise funds toward countywide programming, the Otsego County Conservation Association has launched its second electronic fundraiser. Picking up where last year's "Up the River without a Paddle" left off, OCCA's "Off the Trail without a Compass" participants have been sent into the woods empty handed. They now need to raise funds to get off the road less traveled and back on the right path.

"All the money raised will be put toward programs," said OCCA Executive Director Darla M. Youngs. "This could include anything from invasive species removal to trail development and stewardship to our work on alternative energy solutions."

Twenty intrepid OCCA supporters – OCCA members, volunteers, and the Board of Directors – are reaching out to friends, family, and business colleagues with a goal of $1,600 each to purchase their compass and "get back home." The person earning the most money on behalf of OCCA and the environment will receive a gift certificate to a local restaurant.

"Wandering the woods" this year on behalf of OCCA are: Martha Clarvoe, Andree Conklin, Mark Davies, Dick deRosa, Jonathan Dokuchitz, Tier French, Bill Harman, Jim Hill, Eamonn Hinchey, Dave Hutchison, Pam Lea, Vicky Lentz, Rich McCaffery, Miranda McWeeney, Jim Patrick, Donna Vogler, Ellen White Weir, Sam and Hilda Wilcox, and Julie Wilson.

Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation to "rescue" their favorite OCCA member may do so by visiting the OCCA website, www.occainfo.org, and then clicking on the Network for Good button at the top left to make a secure online donation. Please be sure to indicate in the "Designation" box the person you are sponsoring. Checks on behalf of "Off the Trail" participants should be mailed to OCCA, PO Box 931, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

To view OCCA supporters who are "Off the Trail without a Compass," click here: http://occainfo.org/documents/OfftheTrailWithoutaCompass.pdf.

"Some of these folks really look quite lost, but others seem to have adapted to the situation," Youngs said.

OCCA is a private, non-profit environmental membership organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation and sustainable use of Otsego County's natural resources through education, advocacy, resource management, research, and planning. For more information on OCCA, or to support programming, call (607) 547-4488 or visit www.occainfo.org.