Community Service
Professional Affiliations and Community Service
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APA’s Sustainable Communities Division Climate Champions
Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association
Comprehensive Plan Standards Working Group - Reviewer Round 1 & 22015 - 2023
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Board of Directors
Chair Board Member
1990-2023 -
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International Joint Commission Lake Champlain
Richelieu River Study
2016 - 2022
Study Board Public Advisory Group
The International Joint Commission (IJC) submitted its recommendations to the Canadian and United States’ governments about the reduction of risks and potential solutions to flooding in the Lake Champlain-Richelieu River basin.
After over 5 years of extensive research, collaboration and engagement efforts, the International Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board (Board) submitted its final report to the IJC in August 2022. The report investigates the causes, impacts, risks and potential solutions to flooding in the Lake Champlain-Richelieu River basin shared between Quebec, Vermont and New York.
““I want to, once again, commend the Board for its professionalism, rigor, and dedication throughout the study and for providing clear recommendations to the IJC and both governments. The research and science generated throughout the study is a legacy that will be useful to basin residents, partners and stakeholders for years to come.””
Quick Facts:
In 2016, the IJC established the International Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board to undertake a study of the causes and impacts of the 2011 flooding and make recommendations to mitigate future flood risks in the basin as per the Reference received from the United States and Canadian governments under Article IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty.
The Board submitted its final report and recommendations to the IJC in August 2022.
Starting in March 2023, data and products, including tools, models and maps generated by the Study Board will be made public.
The U.S. and Canadian governments’ investments in the Reference study totaled close to $14 million (CAD/USD), which makes it one of the most significant commitments to an IJC study in recent years.
The Board’s work was a highly collaborative effort by over 100 professionals from the U.S. and Canada, including contributions from Indigenous communities, federal agencies, the states of New York and Vermont, the Province of Quebec, and many other entities and organizations.
The IJC gathered public feedback on the Board’s study recommendations during a public comment period from August 19 to October 14, 2022 that included in-person and virtual hearings.
The IJC approved all recommendations made by the Board in its final report and is requesting that the Canadian and U.S. governments endorse and implement all recommendations directed to them.
Associated Links
Lake Champlain Committee
Board of Directors
2010 - 2021
“Thank you for your dedicated service on the Lake Champlain Committee Board of Directors. We greatly appreciate the energy, enthusiasm, and skill you have directed to the work for clean, accessible water. Your knowledge of New York water and land policy and your deep connections and commitment to New York communities has been extremely helpful. You have given generously of time and talent in a host of ways—donating musical tapes from your singing group to new members, serving as a Cyanobacteria monitor, making delicious food and enlisting your friends to cater LCC’s annual meeting, hosting the LCC retreat and planning session, donating your professional expertise to help craft the LCC administrative strategic plan, writing letters of support for numerous grant applications, and taking on a more expansive role on the IJC Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study committee. You have always been someone who we could turn to step up for the lake. I’ve very much appreciated the opportunity to work with you and your willingness to serve as a sounding board on lake issues and community engagement. I hope we can continue to connect both formally and informally in the future.”
“Last Saturday we were all busy with LCC’s 50th anniversary party. I’ve been hearing from lots of meeting attendees this week about how much they appreciated the event and how grateful they are for LCC’s work. One person noted the ‘food and drink were to die for.’ Ann was instrumental in pulling off the event. Early on she pledged to cater the food for LCC’s big party. She was adamant from the beginning that she wanted to reduce the staff’s workload and wow did she deliver! She handled everything from recruiting and organizing an enthusiastic cadre of friends and family to help prep, cook, serve and clean-up, to creating and executing a menu that worked with the local ingredients and donations we were able to secure. Nothing daunted her. When our RSVPs kept steadily rising from 100 to well past 200 just days before the meeting she just said “so, I’ll cook more”. A consummate planner, Ann left no detail unattended. She ordered black aprons for her team, had them dress in black and white, and scheduled everything from phone conference meetings with me to her shopping with an easy precision. And best of all, she involved people who really enjoyed themselves and did everything with a smile. If you visited the kitchen at all during the day you would have found a very happy team, laughing and bantering as they smoothly executed their many tasks — especially after we remembered to pass in some wine bottles from the bar. And if catering the event wasn’t enough, she even donated 70 of her music CDs that we used to encourage people to RSVP early. Needless to say they’re all gone.”
Northern Forest Center
Board of Directors
2016 - 2021
Program Committee, New York Delegation
2006 - 2021
““The Northern Forest Center Board of Directors wishes to recognize Ann Ruzow Holland’s longstanding support of and input to the Center’s work. Over many years, Ann has contributed to thoughtful strategy sessions, tangible project development, and strong board governance.””
Sounds of the Northway/
Kol Dereckh Hatzafon
1998 - 2021
Sounds of the Northway sing:
Folk songs from the traditional to the contemporary.
Songs about the environment, natural resources, and the world around us.
Contemporary Jewish, folk, and liturgical music.
Historical and Popular Songs dear to Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, and Wives.
Songs about love and life; about laughter and living.
The group has been performing for over 20 years for many kinds of audiences and customizes the song list for different venues and events. While the composition of the ensemble has changed over its 15-year history, the group includes: Ann Hope Ruzow Holland, Ph.D. playing guitar, piano, and singing; Cathie Davenport playing flute and singing; Patricia Nelson playing percussion and singing; Vickie Putman on vocals and violin and Lynn Schlesinger, Ph.D. on vocals, guitar, and other assorted instruments.
Sounds of the Northway was featured on National Public Radio for its women’s history CD collection.
“I love it. You are awesome.“ L. Depo, Carey, N.C.
“What beautiful voices you all have! The songs are beautiful. As I get older, I appreciate even more the ability to actually hear and understand the lyrics in songs!” K. Gurney, Albany, NY
“You guys sound great and have a wonderfully rich story.” G. Fitzpatrick, Yonkers, NY
“Very nice!” B. Heller, NCPR, Canton, NY
Sounds of the Northway have recorded two CD’s. Herstory: Heroes Turning the World Right Side Up is a historical anthology of 23 songs from many musical genres. Water, Women and Song, features 17 distinctive traditional, contemporary, and liturgical songs that highlight the unique style and range of the group. Both CD’s were recorded and mastered at the first-rate Charles Eller Studios in Charlotte, Vermont.
CD’s are available by contacting the group at the above address.