On March 24, 2026, the Hudson River Watershed Alliance held an interactive half-day Watershed Characterization & Planning Workshop at The Heartwood at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, with a hybrid meeting option to attend virtually.
The workshop focused on advancing locally-led watershed characterization, planning, and implementation. The presentations highlighted practical watershed planning frameworks and processes, regional case studies, and funding and technical resources that support local watershed efforts. A key focus of the workshop was watershed characterization as a foundational step to build shared understanding and position groups for effective planning. After lunch, in-person participants worked together to apply what they learned and identify clear next steps.
This program was designed for watershed groups, municipal representatives, students and academic partners, local and regional nonprofits, and anyone interested in participating in or supporting a watershed characterization or planning process. Whether you are just getting started, developing a plan, or supporting plan implementation, these presentations and tools were designed to help clarify priorities, strengthen partnerships, and prepare for the next step.
This Project has been funded in part by a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Workshop Presentations & Materials
Welcome & Introduction | Presentation PDF
Emily Vail, Executive Director, Hudson River Watershed Alliance
Welcome & Introduction
Ingrid Haeckel, Manager, NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program
Welcome & Introduction
Marianne Begemann, Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources and Associate Professor of Chemistry, Vassar College
Watershed Characterization: Understanding and Sharing Your Watershed’s Story | Presentation PDF
Emily Vail, Hudson River Watershed Alliance, and Karen Strong, Strong Outcomes
Watershed Characterization Case Study: Punch-Brook Roeliff Jansen Kill Watershed | Presentation PDF
Colleen Lutz, Roe Jan Watershed Community & Town of Ancram
Punch Brook-Roeliff Jansen Kill Watershed Characterization Report
Watershed Characterization Case Study: Sparkill Creek Watershed | Presentation PDF
Larry Vail, Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance
Sparkill Creek Watershed Characterization Report
Resources for Watershed Characterization, Planning, and Implementation | Presentation PDF
Brittany Ryan, Coastal Resources Specialist, NYS Department of State
Resources for Watershed Characterization, Planning, and Implementation | Presentation PDF
Anna Boutsikaris, Source Watershed Specialist, NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program
Interactive Working Session to Identify Next Steps | Presentation PDF
Facilitated by Karen Strong, Strong Outcomes
Worksheet 1: This worksheet will help individuals or organizations who are interested in supporting a locally led watershed characterization or plan to identify the different types of contributions that can support this work.
Worksheet 2: This worksheet helps individuals and groups preparing to pursue a watershed characterization or plan think through their approach and choose a process that best meets their needs.
Worksheet 3: Many locally led efforts are already in progress. This worksheet is designed to help people or groups that are currently working on watershed characterizations or plans (or have completed plans) reflect on your planning process and identify key actions to strengthen and advance your work.