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Cornell University

Conservation Planning in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment

Hudson River Estuary Program

Hudson estuary watershed and Wallkill River signs - by L Heady
The Wallkill River is a significant tributary of the Hudson River estuary. Photo by L. Heady

The DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program uses the science of ecology to help people enjoy, protect, and revitalize the Hudson River estuary. Created in 1987 through the Hudson River Estuary Management Act (ECL 11-0306), the program focuses on the tidal Hudson and its adjacent watershed from the dam at Troy to the Verrazano Narrows in New York City. The core mission of the Estuary Program is built around six key benefits:

  • clean water
  • resilient communities
  • vital estuary ecosystem
  • estuary fish, wildlife, & habitats
  • scenic river landscape
  • education, river access, recreation, and inspiration.

The Estuary Program works in close collaboration with many partners – from nonprofit organizations to businesses, local governments to state and federal agencies, interested residents, and many others.

Our Conservation and Land Use Team's work at the Estuary Program is included in the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda, which serves as a 5-year blueprint that guides the program and defines measurable targets. We are located at the Region 3 office of the DEC in New Paltz, NY.

Learn more about the Estuary Program:

A teacher and young students explore a tidal marsh at Dutchmans Landing on the Hudson River. Photo by L Heady
Increased access to the Hudson is one of the goals of the Hudson River Estuary Program. Photo by L. Heady