Business Underwriting & Sponsorship: HELP 2026
Habitat & Ecosystems Land Pro
Endorsement Program
March 10, 11 & 12, 2026
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Empowering the Next Generation
of “Eco-scapers”
The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society (DOAS), in partnership with the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA), and Home Earth Alliance/IMAGINE Native Plant Farm, invites your business to become a vital part of a landmark professional training initiative.
HELP 2026 is not just a 3-day workshop—it is a comprehensive endorsement program that equips landscape professionals, architects, and municipal leaders with the high-level ecological skills needed to restore biodiversity and build climate resilience in our local communities.
Why Partner with Us?
- Targeted Professional Audience: Put your brand directly in front of the region’s leading landscape architects, contractors, municipal parks managers, and groundskeepers.
- Eco-Leadership Positioning: Align your business with the “Eco-scaper” movement—the gold standard for modern, sustainable landscaping.
- Local and National Reach: Our program participants benefit from promotion through the National Audubon Society’s “Plants for Birds” network, statewide and regional environmental websites.
- Community Impact: Your support directly funds the creation of a workforce capable of mitigating climate change through native plant habitats.
The video below provides the scientific and aesthetic reasoning behind native plant landscaping, which helps potential sponsors understand the value of the “Eco-scaper” endorsement.
Sponsorship Levels
Level | Investment | Key Benefits |
Ecosystem Champion | $1,800 | Top-tier logo placement on all 2026 promotional materials; 5-minute speaking slot at opening session; 2 complimentary registrations; dedicated signage throughout the program dates, recognition in daily introductions; premier website/social media featured placements with descriptive content and links. |
Habitat Leader | $900 | Secondary logo on program materials; signage display in the Discovery Center throughout the program dates; recognition in daily introductions, 1 complimentary registration; social media spotlight. |
Native Plant Advocate | $450 | Business name listed in promotional materials (web and print) and on partner websites and newsletter in relation to the program; logo inclusion on event signage; inclusion in group social media “Thank You” posts. |
Targeted Underwriting Opportunities (A La Carte)
- Educational Manual Underwriter ($1,000): Exclusively fund the high-quality, 100+ page technical manuals provided to every participant. Includes a full-page color ad on the inside cover.
- Catering & Hospitality Sponsor ($500 per day): Provide breakfast refreshments, lunch and afternoon snacks for attendees. Your business will be recognized with signage on all food service tables and during the lunch break “Sponsor Shout-out.”
- CEU Accreditation Sponsor ($250): Help cover the administrative costs of providing CNLP, ISA NY, and LA CES (continuing education) credits. Recognition as the “Professional Development Partner” in all certification materials.
From Our Partners
“More and more customers and clients are demanding more sustainable and healthier practices in their yards and public spaces. It’s time to shift the landscaping paradigm in the managed landscape back to both form and function. This program demonstrates how to do that and, more importantly, how to monetize and incentivize the process.”
–– Joy Cirigliano, Senior Coordinator of Bird-Friendly Communities at Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center
(Joy is the author of the H.E.L.P. curriculum and has been working in the Landscape and Horticulture industry for over 30 years.)
“The landscaping industry is on the cusp of a profound change, driven by public awareness of the climate and biodiversity crises. The HELP 2026 program is not just a course; it’s an investment in a sustainable business future. By merging professional excellence with ecological responsibility, we are empowering land pros to become frontline heroes in the movement to restore local habitats, one yard at a time. This collaboration with Audubon and our dedicated partners represents a powerful collective step toward a healthier New York ecosystem.”
–– Susan O’Handley, Education Chair, Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society
“Landscaping professionals are the true agents of change on the ground, and their work determines the ecological health of our communities. We are thrilled to partner on the HELP 2026 program, which equips these professionals with the specific, cutting-edge knowledge needed to lead this vital shift toward ecological restoration.”
— Pam Skripak, Co-founder, Home Earth Alliance/IMAGINE Native Plant Farm
“The landscape industry has the power to either degrade or dramatically improve our local environment. This HELP program equips professionals with the deep knowledge necessary to choose the latter. We are proud to stand behind a program that places scientific integrity and biodiversity conservation at the heart of professional land management. The program complements our work in invasive species eradication and allows for implementation of those practices at the property level.”
–– Shelby MacLeish, Executive Director, Otsego County Conservation Association
Commit to the Future of Landscaping
To secure your sponsorship or discuss a custom package, please contact Susan O’Handley by February 20, 2026.
Susan O’Handley, 607-397-3815 (voicemail), s.ohandley@doas.us
