Program areas at HHLT
Land Conservation: HHLT advances the conservation of the natural resources, open spaces, and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands for the benefit of the public. At September 30, 2024 HHLT held 94 conservation easements protecting 2,594 acres of land and owned an additional 1,128 acres, including Granite Mountain Preserve, Canopus Creek Preserve, Crane 50-acre Eden Park property, Humble Bee Hollow, a former farm/camp, and buffer to Peekskills Wiccopee Reservoir. We have also helped other land trusts and state agencies conserve thousands more acres. (Continued on Schedule O)All of HHLT's land conservation services are provided for the benefit of the resident public and several million visitors to this federally recognized region.
Outreach and Education: Through outreach events and programs, HHLT seeks to create public awareness on a number of issues (including land conservation, flora/fauna biodiversity, climate resilience, and connectivity), and celebrates the natural splendor of the Hudson Highlands with community members of all ages. Our outreach programming aims to instill a sense of the importance of stewardship in residents and visitors to the Hudson Highlands, through a diverse array of activities and events. Major outreach programs include: free webinars and training, hikes and volunteer days on conserved properties, and partnerships with trail groups to educate the many visitors to our area about our natural resources.
Stewardship and Natural Resources Protection: HHLT is involved in a variety of program initiatives focused on natural resouce stewardship and protection. In addition to active stewardship and defense of our conservation portfolio, we work with partners to address issues as diverse as invasive species management, drinking water protection, biodiversity conservation, and safeguarding resilient/connected natural areas.
Public Policy and Planning: HHLT works with local municipalities on planning initiatives to document their important natural resources and beloved open spaces, then help them plan ways to achieve an optimal balance between protection and development. This is accomplished through things like community preservation plans, natural resource and open space inventories, as well as water resource studies that can be used as tools to guide municipal planning. Further, HHLT also founded and coordinates the "New York Highlands Network" - a coalition of land trusts and government agencies that conserve land throughout the New York Highlands.In addition to its work in the primary areas of land conservation, stewardship/natural resource protection, public policy/planning, and outreach and education, HHLT also works to build greater inclusivity of people of diverse backgrounds into our work.