Volunteer Opportunities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2026 – Pound Ridge, NY
The Town of Pound Ridge is a vibrant community built on a strong spirit of volunteerism. Serving on a board, commission, or committee is a rewarding way for residents to contribute to the Town’s growth while connecting with others.
Residents interested in learning more about local government are encouraged to attend public meetings listed on the Town’s monthly calendar and share their insights. The calendar can be found here. Those ready to take a more active role can explore current vacancies and find opportunities to get involved below:
- Comprehensive Plan Update Committee: 1-year term
- Conservation Board: 2-year term
- Open Space Acquisitions Committee: 1-year term
- THRIVE Alliance: 2-year term
This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to get involved and make a meaningful impact on the quality of life and economic vitality of Pound Ridge. Our dedicated volunteers play a vital role in serving the community, helping to make Pound Ridge an even better place to live, work, and thrive.
Comprehensive Plan Update Committee
The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee is to update the Town’s adopted 2010 Comprehensive Plan. The committee’s work focuses on advancing the community’s vision by preserving the Town’s strengths while addressing future needs and current challenges.
The result will be an updated Comprehensive Plan for conservation and development. At its core, the plan will provide a framework and rationale for managing future growth while preserving community character, natural resources, and open space. The update will also address the challenges of a changing climate, enhance community resilience, and promote economic vitality in collaboration with regional partners and neighboring municipalities.
The committee consists of a core Comprehensive Plan Update Committee, including a Chair and Members-at-Large, as well as several working-group subcommittees focused on the following topic areas:
- Natural Resources and Environmental Systems
- Sustainability
- Public Infrastructure, Services, and Transportation
- Business and Economic Development
- Land Use and Zoning
- Housing and Demographics
- Historic Preservation, Cultural Resources, and Recreational Assets
- Community Engagement
Conservation Board
The Conservation Board was established to advise on the management and protection of Pound Ridge’s natural resources. Its mission is to promote the wise, long-term, and sustainable use of the Town’s natural resources.
The Board’s vision is to provide strong leadership on all matters affecting the environmental health and condition of the Town’s natural resources, including its water supply, the diversity and quality of wildlife habitats, its semi-rural character, scenic beauty, and aesthetic appeal. The Board strives to provide information, guidance, and resources to residents, Town officials, and others on environmental issues.
The Conservation Board encourages residents to participate in the following programs and initiatives:
- Community Compost
- Biannual Repair Café
- Pollinator Pathway and the Invasives Project
- Arbor Day Tree and Compost Giveaway
- Big Spring Clean
- Amphibian Migration Program
- Healthy Yards
- Educational and Informative Talks
In addition, the Board provides residents with information on climate change, water quality and septic systems, wetlands stewardship, living alongside native flora and fauna, recycling, and many other environmental topics.
Open Space Acquisitions Committee
The Open Space Acquisitions Committee (OSAC) helps the Town identify, prioritize, and protect important open spaces and natural resources. Established in 2001 following voter approval of a dedicated open space fund, the committee advises the Town Board on the conservation of environmentally significant lands. Most recently, residents renewed this funding through 2033 by approving a third referendum in 2023. Over the past two decades, OSAC has helped guide the protection of many priority properties through land acquisitions, conservation easements, and other preservation efforts.
What Does OSAC Do?
OSAC uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the Town’s Natural Resource Inventory, and other conservation planning tools to identify lands that provide important ecological and community benefits, including:
- Protecting water resources and wetlands
- Preserving wildlife habitat and forest connectivity
- Supporting climate resilience and carbon storage
- Maintaining community character and scenic landscapes
- Expanding opportunities for passive recreation
The committee evaluates priority parcels and habitat corridors and makes recommendations to the Town Board for future conservation efforts. Through this work, OSAC helps ensure that the Town’s most valuable natural resources are protected for future generations. Learn more here.
THRIVE Alliance
THRIVE Alliance works to address mental health and substance misuse challenges by promoting healthy lifestyles through education, resources, and prevention strategies in the Bedford, Lewisboro, and Pound Ridge communities.
The Council is composed of representatives from each of the three participating towns—Bedford, Lewisboro, and Pound Ridge—and provides:
- Research-based information on alcohol and drugs, including how to recognize substance misuse and understand its impact on individuals, families, and communities
- Public forums on important topics related to substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion
- Resources for intervention and support
- Evidence-based strategies to prevent substance misuse
In addition, the Council works to address both the immediate and underlying causes of alcohol and drug misuse. For more information, please visit the Council’s website here.
More information about boards, commissions, and committees can be found on the Town’s website. Residents interested in being considered for openings are invited to submit a CV and short letter of interest to Nicole Engel at chiefofstaff@townofpoundridge.gov.
Press Contact:
Nicole Engel, Chief of Staff
914-764-3986
chiefofstaff@townofpoundridge.gov
