News
The Intersection of LGBTQ+ Rights and Environmental Justice: Q&A with Representative Sean Patrick Maloney
Food Sovereignty and Seed Rematriation: A conversation with Rowen White, Seed Keeper and Member of Akwesasne Mohawk Nation
Recognizing and Honoring the Original Stewards of the Land
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Native American Heritage Month, we wanted to call attention to Indigenous land acknowledgements, or statements that recognize and honor the history of Indigenous communities on land.
Reflections and Accountability
We’re taking an opportunity to look back at our Statement on Racial Inequity and the first year of Relearning Highlands History.
Tree Inequity in the Hudson Highlands
Tree inequity doesn’t just affect large cities. It exists right here in the Hudson Highlands. Learn more about tree inequity in our communities, and what local conservation groups are doing to remedy it, in the latest issue of Relearning Highlands History.
Trail Stewards Greet Challenges of Breakneck Ridge with Expertise and Knowledge
Learn about the 2021 New York-New Jersey Trail Stewards program at Breakneck Ridge in this update from Trail Steward Melanie Schuck.
Revisiting the End of Slavery in New York for Juneteenth
In recognition of Juneteenth, we were inspired to revisit the ending of slavery in New York. Slavery was officially abolished in 1827, making New York the first state to pass a law completely abolishing slavery, but the ending is far more complicated than just a single date.
From Built to Grown: Justice in Agriculture
From public parks to roof tops, to those grassy areas within housing complexes, we explore spots withing built spaces that can be converted to places that sustain organic food farms, making urban areas a little greener and healthier for future generations.
Buffalo Soldiers: New Monument at West Point Honors African American Military History
To help bring the stories told through our Relearning Highlands History series “to life,” we have begun to lay the groundwork to create a heritage trail that will highlight sites relevant to the history of Black and Native Americans in the Hudson Highlands.
Creating a Black and Native American Heritage Trail in the Hudson Highlands
To help bring the stories told through our Relearning Highlands History series “to life,” we have begun to lay the groundwork to create a heritage trail that will highlight sites relevant to the history of Black and Native Americans in the Hudson Highlands.
HHLT to Permanently Protect 74+ Acres in Garrison
HHLT will permanently protect 74+ acres of the Garrison Golf Club property and intends to oversee habitat restoration, while simultaneously working with the community to develop a thoughtful plan for public access.
Land Ownership and Social Justice: How Our Cities and Towns Became Segregated
This issue of Relearning Highlands History considers the complex history of the relationship between land ownership and social justice, as told by Richard Rothstein in his book The Color of Law.
Black History and Culture in Putnam County
The Putnam History Museum recently launched a new “Black History & Culture in the Hudson Valley” webpage, which includes 40+ resources, including profiles on Black historical figures like Bishop Robert Lawson and Sumner Lark.
Who Built the Stone Walls of New York?
“Stone walls are built by hands. How else would you bring them to life, other than to learn about and recognize all the people who were part of the stone wall building process?” -Susan Allport, author of Sermons in Stone
HHLT Announces Leadership Transition and Promotion of Land Team
HHLT’s Board of Directors has announced that Michelle Smith, Executive Director since 2016, will step down as of May 31, 2021. Katrina Shindledecker, longtime Director of Conservation, has been named to succeed her.
New York Highlands Network StoryMap
Our talented volunteer, Noah Campbell, created a StoryMap to help us tell the story of why we formed the New York Highlands Network.
Antislavery in the Mid-Hudson Valley
This issue of Relearning Highlands History picks up where People Not Property leaves off with the antislavery movement in the Hudson Valley.
People Not Property: Stories of Slavery in the Colonial North
In this new edition of Relearning Highlands History we introduce the remarkable interactive documentary People Not Property presented by Historic Hudson Valley, and winner of the 2020 Webby Award for best educational resource.
Land Heist in the Highlands: Chief Daniel Nimham and the Wappinger Fight for Homeland
The first article in our “Relearning Highlands History” series is the story of Chief (Sachem) Daniel Nimham and the Wappinger Tribe’s challenge to the Philipse Patent, covering what is now Putnam County.
Relearning Highlands History
We are launching a new series “Relearning Highlands History” to share stories of and from People of Color throughout the history of the Hudson Highlands.
Hudson Highlands: Through Your Eyes
Have you been enjoying our Nature Time videos over the past few months? This is your chance to become a Nature Time star!
Land Management Interns Help Manage Invasives
This summer, we have welcomed two new Land Management interns, Jailene Gonzalez and Brant Martin, to the HHLT team to help with invasive species management.
Notice: Granite Mountain Preserve Closed Nov. 21-29 for 2020 Deer Hunting Program
From November 21-29, the Preserve will be closed to all visitors except for deer hunters with a valid NYS DEC license and permit from HHLT.
2019-2020 Annual Report Newsletter Now Available
You can read about your impact on open space in the Hudson Highlands in HHLT’s 2019-2020 Annual Report newsletter.
Statement on Racial Inequity and the Stories that Must Be Heard
As a land trust, we recognize our responsibility is not limited to stewardship of land and natural resources.
Bringing Nature to You: Pollinators
Simple changes in our gardens can have big impacts on the future of our pollinators!
Upcoming Webinars
While many of us are spending more time at home, HHLT is bringing nature to you with a new webinar series.
Bringing Nature to You: Vernal Pools
Spring is an exciting time of year for amphibians, so we’re highlighting vernal pools.
We’re Bringing Nature to You with “Nature Time!”
Our land team share a series of fun, educational videos that capture spring in the Hudson Highlands.
COVID-19 Update
HHLT is committed to our mission of land conservation in the Hudson Highlands in the face of the global COVID-19 public health crisis.
Connect with Nature Using iNaturalist and Seek
Learn how to use the popular nature apps iNaturalist and kid-friendly Seek to capture and share your nature observations.
Attention Granite Mountain Hikers: Trails Have Been Re-blazed
Please Share Your Input on Philipstown and Cold Spring Drinking Water
Philipstown and Cold Spring residents: your input on your drinking water is needed! Your input will help set the stage for the formation of a new Water Protection Coalition for the Town and Village.
Protecting Cornwall’s Natural Heritage: New Open Space Inventory Unveiled at Community Forum
As the culmination of the two-year Natural Heritage Project, we presented the final Open Space Inventory to a standing-room only crowd of community leaders and residents in November 2019.
Announcing the New York Highlands Network: Ensuring Our Wildlife Have a Home Here—Forever
We formed the NY Highlands Network—a broad coalition of organizations, neighbors and landowners working to connect and conserve wild places across the Highlands—to ensure our wildlife continues to have a home here in the Hudson Highlands.
Celebrate All the Things You Love About the Hudson Highlands at FALL FEST
Mark your calendars for a day of autumn fun at Winter Hill! The 7th annual FALL FEST, planned and hosted by the Young Friends of HHLT committee, is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th from 2-5pm.
Support Hudson Highlands Wildlife at HHLT’s 2019 Autumn Cocktail Benefit
Our work conserving critical wildlife habitat is made possible by your generous support. We hope you’ll consider continuing your generosity by attending our biggest fundraising event of the year.
Land Management Interns Help Protect Our Forests
Land Management interns, Stephanie Rivera and Lucas Gordon, share the new knowledge and skills they acquired throughout their internships in two educational videos on improving forest health through invasive species management.
2018-2019 Annual Report Now Available
Your work and support over the past year has expanded our conservation footprint across the Hudson Highlands. You can read about your impact in HHLT’s 2018-2019 Annual Report.
Hudson Highlands Reserve Public Hearing
A better future for Philipstown is possible. Hudson Highlands Reserve could set a standard for quality development and protect our environment. Your help is needed to make this happen!
2019 Wildlife Forum Recap
This year’s forum focused on how scientists are using camera trapping technology to better understand our natural world and how local residents can use technology to discover wildlife in their own backyards.
Granite Mountain Preserve Update
Thank you for your patience! We are working on several improvements within Granite Mountain Preserve.
HHLT Applying For Accreditation Renewal
We are in the process of applying for renewal of our accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.
Opportunity To Comment On Storm Surge Barriers And Expedited Environmental Review
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating plans to mitigate coastal storm damage, several of which propose installing storm surge barriers throughout New York Harbor.
2018 Water Forum Recap
The Taste of Sprawl: A Water Discussion—was a success! More than 120 people participated in the April 15th forum on local water issues at the Highlands Country Club.
Conservation Subdivisions and Open Space Overlay Forum Materials
On February 5, 2018, we held an educational forum entitled Conservation Subdivisions and the Open Space Overlay.
Learn About Granite Mountain Preserve, A Legacy Landscapes Project
We recently acquired three adjoining parcels totaling 358 acres to create Granite Mountain Preserve in the Town of Putnam Valley.
Connecting: Celebrating the People and Places of the Hudson Highlands
Connecting: Celebrating the People and Places of the Hudson Highlands is the perfect gift for anyone who loves the Hudson Highlands.