Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance reports growth, outreach and sharp drop in trout stocking

Frank Dingman, president of the Rensselaer County Conservation Alliance, summarized the group's activities and finances in an annual update to the county legislature.

Dingman said the alliance has grown rapidly: "we've grown from 12 organizations to 41," and remains "100% volunteer," logging tens of thousands of volunteer hours supporting education and conservation programs. He told legislators the group delivered 49 outreach and education programs in 2025, ranging from "living with the black bear" and eastern coyote workshops to beekeeping classes and bluebird- and bat-house building with school and senior groups.

Dingman described several recurring programs: trout-in-the-classroom units supplied with eggs from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, school fishing field trips, stream monitoring (including mayfly and temperature monitors), an adopt-a-highway cleanup, hunter- and firearm-safety instruction, youth and veterans hunts, and an exhibit at the county fair. He encouraged legislators and the public to attend Trout Day on April 9 and the alliance's banquet on April 18 at the Brunswick Elks.

On fisheries, Dingman said state changes have sharply reduced local stocking. He reported that the alliance used to coordinate stocking in 17 county streams but now works with stocking in three, calling that an "about 81% loss in [the county]" and saying statewide reductions exceed 80%.

Dingman also reviewed the group's budget and fundraising: he said the alliance spends roughly $18,000 a year and receives an annual county grant that supports educational programs and some operating costs, supplemented by raffles and sponsorships. He invited municipal boards and clubs to request programs from the alliance and said volunteers remain in high demand.

The presentation closed with a brief question-and-answer exchange and an announcement that additional program details had been provided in the meeting packet.