WATERSHED DIGEST
Monthly Newsletter
Update from the Hudson River Watershed Alliance
Breakfast Lecture Webinar Series
Hudson Estuary Trees for Tributaries Program, Thursday, February 9, 8:30-9:30 AM
Beth Roessler from NYS Department of Environmental Conservation will present on the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs Program. This program provides free trees and shrubs and guidance for streamside planting projects. Plants are available for both public and privately-owned lands. Beth will describe the program’s history and provide recommendations for potential applicants.
Chet Kerr, Chair of the Greater Irvington Land Trust, and Sue Galloway of Dobbs Ferry will share their experience working with the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program to revegetate an area along the Saw Mill River in a newly formed park in the Village of Dobbs Ferry. They will describe their goals for planting this area and the collaboration between community volunteers and the Village of Dobbs Ferry, Groundwork Hudson Valley, and the Greater Irvington Land Trust to plan, prepare, plant and care for the new seedlings
This program is supported by funding from the Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with support from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, in cooperation with NEIWPCC.
Watch our December Breakfast Webinar: Dam Removal Case Studies
Dam removal is a river restoration strategy that can reconnect stream habitat, improve water quality, and reduce flooding hazards. This can be an expensive and complex process that involves close collaboration with NYS DEC regulatory staff. At our December webinar, Megan Lung, NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, provided an overview of funding opportunities for dam removal. Michael Fraatz, NYS DEC Bureau of Ecosystem Health, discussed a dam removal project on the Moodna Creek, including his role reviewing the work plan, monitoring compliance during removal and restoration of impacted areas post-construction. Suzette Lopane, Westchester County Planning Department, shared information on work to remove barriers on the Furnace Brook in Westchester County.
This program is supported by funding from the Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with support from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, in cooperation with NEIWPCC.
Thank You to Our Outgoing Board Members!
We are recognizing the outstanding efforts of three long-time Hudson River Watershed Alliance board members. After 9 years of service, Mary McNamara, Phil DeGaetano, and Ryan Palmer have reached term limits and are stepping down from the Board of Directors. We will miss them as board members, but are looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with them as members of our Alliance.
Mary McNamara is a presence throughout the entire Hudson River watershed region, and focuses her work locally in Saugerties and the Lower Esopus Creek watershed. On our board, she was a tireless advocate for watershed groups as central to our mission. Mary served as Secretary and on the Executive Committee of the board for two years, helping to maintain the organization’s roots during staff changes and the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mary encouraged us to plan ahead for leadership transitions to ensure that the work and mission of the Alliance continues.
Phil DeGaetano is a legend in the water quality field, and has been working for over five decades to support clean water. During his 35-year career at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Phil supervised the development of initial MS4 and Construction Stormwater Permits, the State’s Water Quality Standards program, and the Division of Water’s Public Information/Education efforts. Soon after he joined the Alliance’s board, he was elected Treasurer, and he served in that role until 2022. Phil’s work as Treasurer across those years enabled the organization to grow significantly.
The Hudson River Watershed Alliance started as a project of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and Ryan Palmer was our very first paid coordinator at that time. Now the Director of the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Bezcak, Ryan has seen the organization through all stages of development. He came full circle as a board member, serving as a long-time member of our Executive Committee and Board President from 2019-2021. Ryan guided the Alliance through the strategic planning process in 2021-2022, building on our strong foundation and history with an eye towards the future.
Are you interested in joining the Hudson River Watershed Alliance’s Board of Directors?
We are an active board seeking to diversify our skills, experiences, and membership, as well as strengthen our relationships with like-minded organizations across the Hudson River watershed.
For more details on our board, who we are looking for, board responsibilities, and our process, visit our website here.
Our nominations process is rolling, so submit information any time. We nominate candidates using a board matrix to ensure a mix of skills, backgrounds, geographic focus, etc., to find the best fit at any given time. Although you may not be nominated in any particular cycle, once you have submitted your nomination, you’ll remain a candidate.