Program areas at HHLT
Land conservation: hhlt advances the conservation and preservation of the natural resources, open spaces, and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands for the benefit of the public. At september 30, 2022, hhlt held 93 conservation easements protecting 2,564 acres of Land and owned an additional 1005 acres, including granite mountain preserve, canopus creek preserve, and 57 acres of a former golf course. We have also helped other Land trusts and state agencies conserve thousands more acres. 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.
Natural resources protection & planning: hhlt is involved in a variety of program initiatives focused on natural resources protection, including working with our partners to address issues as diverse as invasive species management, drinking water protection, biodiversity conservation, and safeguarding resilient/connected natural areas. Hhlt also 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 deveopment. 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 16-member coalition of Land trusts and government agencies that conserve Land throughout the new york Highlands.
Outreach: through the organization's 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 trainings, hikes and volunteer days on conserved properties, and partnerships with trail groups to educate the many visitors to our area about our natural resources.
In addition to its work in the primary areas of Land conservation, natural resource protection/planning and outreach and education, hhlt also works to build greater inclusivity of people of diverse backgrounds into our conservation and natural resource protection work.