The Hudson River Estuary Biodiversity Program was formed in 1997 as a major joint initiative of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources. Working with scientific partners, we've increased our understanding of ecological resources and conservation priorities in the watershed, and continue to develop new data and tools.

Now called the Conservation and Land Use Team, our extension staff have delivered outreach and technical assistance since 2001 to raise awareness about estuary watershed biodiversity and conservation approaches; provide access to current, science-based information; and increase the planning capacity of communities and non-profit partners through technical assistance. By exchanging ideas and fostering new collaborations, we have advanced effective practices and policies that will help to sustain the estuary watershed and inspire communities to play an important role in biodiversity conservation.

Read more about our extension approach:

• Conservation and Land Use: Engaging Municipal Officials in Improving Natural Resource-Based Planning (CaRDI Research & Policy Brief, 2015)