2008 IN REVIEW:
Preserving more land,
inspiring more people...

We at Scenic Hudson deeply appreciate your vital support during the past year. With your help we preserved critically important landscapes, ramped up events at our magnificent parks and helped shape responsible development in communities all along the Hudson. So thank you once again - together we're making a difference.

Partnerships helped fuel an impressive kick-off to our ambitious land campaign

Scenic Hudson's recent protection of Mount Merino is part of a long-standing collaborative effort to safeguard Olana's legendary views. (photo: Ted Spiegel.)

In the first year of our campaign to Save the Land That Matters Most more than 2,600 acres of critically important landscapes throughout the Hudson Valley have been permanently protected, thanks to Scenic Hudson and our land conservation partners. More...

Unique events and compelling contests brought people to the river

Our "Lighthouse Kayak Trip" at Esopus Meadows in July allowed many people to experience the Hudson. (photo: Robert Rodriguez, Jr.)

In 2008, we held over 70 public events and outings. All year long, people discovered new ways to enjoy our parks through morning ranger hikes, bird walks, trail runs -- even a family "movie night" next to the river. Our 2008 Photo Competition inspired over 800 photographers to criss-cross the valley, capturing its inspirational beauty. More...

New acquisitions protected fragile wildlife habitats and vital farmland corridors

The parcels we've conserved along the beautiful Black Creek (Ulster), are helping to protect irreplaceable wildlife habitats. (photo: Robert Rodriguez, Jr.)

Since launching Saving the Land That Matters Most last year, we've completed 17 acquisitions that have safeguarded more than 1,703 acres throughout the Hudson Valley. We really ramped up our acquisition program -- our newly protected lands in Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster and Columbia counties include 900 acres of working farmland, nearly 200 acres of ecologically sensitive habitats, and two parcels that offer potential public river access. More...

Ned Sullivan announcing our leadership grant to the "Walkway over the Hudson" linear park project.

Grants program sparked riverfront parks for 400th celebration and beyond

In 2008, Scenic Hudson provided support to communities for new or improved riverfront parks for the public to enjoy the Hudson and the 2009 Quadricentennial celebration of Henry Hudson's exploration of the river. We also provided a leadership grant to turn the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge into Walkway Over the Hudson, the world's longest elevated public park. More...