Since 2009, the Butternut Valley Alliance has endeavored to help the Butternut Creek watershed to become an even better place to live, work and play. Our activities connect communities, protect the environment, and promote the arts. The Butternut Creek watershed comprises seven towns located along the Southwestern portion of Otsego County encompassing about 120 square miles and is home to roughly 7,500 residents. To fulfill our mission, BVA holds four large community-building events each year (On the Trail of Art, Summer Harvest Festival, Butternut Creek Fun Float and Butternut Valley Gravel Grinder) that aim to promote the arts and sustainable agriculture in the region and to encourage people to enjoy and care for the outdoors. BVA also presents public lectures on local history and regional environmental issues. In addition, BVA participates in water quality and invasive species monitoring, creek cleanup and buffer restoration, trail building and citizen science. In 2023, BVA received official status as NYS DEC forest stewards for three state forests in the Butternut Valley – General Jacob Morris State Forest, Wagner State Forest, and Texas School House State Forest.
