Scenic Hudson

Working primarily along the Hudson River between New York City and Albany, the organization acquires land and conservation easements to create parks and preserves, protect lands of high scenic and ecological importance, and conserve farmland.. Much of its land protection work is completed in partnership with private landowners, local land trusts, and local, state, and federal public agencies. Land and conservation easements are typically acquired and held by Scenic Hudson's affiliate organization, The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. The organizations have protected over 31,000 acres in nine counties . In 2011, the organization received the Land Trust Alliance's National Land Trust Excellence Award.[5]

Scenic Hudson has created and enhanced more than 60 parks, preserves, and historic sites. In addition to owning and maintaining its own parks and preserves for public enjoyment; in this work .[6]

Scenic Hudson works with municipalities and other environmental organizations to connect the public with the Hudson River, improve water quality, encourage responsible development practices, and revitalize urban waterfronts. In 2010, the organization published an award-winning handbook, Revitalizing Hudson Riverfronts [7] which provides guidance for balancing conservation and development goals on urban waterfronts. More recently, it launched a series of taskforces to help riverfront communities adapt to climate change-induced sea level rise. The organization also works with the Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance [8]].

Scenic Hudson has helped establish and advance numerous environmental initiatives, including the Hudson River Estuary Program, the New York State Coastal Management Program, the Hudson River Valley Greenway, the Clean Water Act, the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act and the National Heritage Area Designation, and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, a National Estuarine Research Reserve, created and managed in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Scenic Hudson is currently working with other environmental organizations to facilitate the removal of polychlorinated biphenyl materials from the Hudson River.[9]