News from HHLT: March 2026 | |
| |
As winter slowly loosens its grip, we find ourselves with one foot in the cold and the other reaching toward spring, and we’re embracing every moment of it here at HHLT. The cooler temperatures give us time to prepare for what lies ahead. Spring brings with it regrowth: bare branches will fill back in, wildflowers will push through the soil, and wildlife and amphibians will begin to stir again. There is nothing as encouraging as this time of year for getting people out on the land and sharing in these experiences together.
As we look ahead, HHLT is gearing up to launch new initiatives across our conserved lands that invite volunteers and participants to get involved in citizen science efforts that connect people to nature in meaningful ways. Your support through volunteering, participating in our programs, and backing our mission makes this work possible and allows us to continue expanding our reach and commitment to conserving and caring for the lands and water of the Hudson Highlands so that people and nature can thrive together for generations to come.
This March, we also encourage you to explore the programs offered by HHLT partners. Together, we each play an important role in the broader conservation community, and there is a place for everyone within it, regardless of background or experience level.
Access to nature is a right, not a privilege, and the programs and partnerships we offer are a reflection of that value. We hope to see you out on the land soon!
Thank you for your continued support in these efforts,
| |
|
Nadia Azizi
Outreach & Events Coordinator, Hudson Highlands Land Trust
| |
|
Governor Hochul recently released proposed reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in her 2026-27 budget in response to the state-wide housing affordability and availability crisis. SEQRA, enacted in 1975, requires state and local agencies to assess environmental impacts before approving major projects. The Governor's budget proposal would exempt a range of new housing developments from SEQRA review in order to accelerate construction statewide.
As a member of the Hudson Valley Alliance for Housing & Conservation, HHLT understands the need for updating SEQRA regulations in order to facilitate the production of more affordable housing in the Hudson Valley. It is essential that we safeguard the future of the Hudson Valley by ensuring that young people starting out, essential workers, and seniors wanting to scale down have attainable housing options available to them. However any changes to SEQRA to meet those goals need to be thoughtfully considered and enacted. HHLT recently signed on to a letter created by a coalition of environmental organizations including Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson, urging Governor Hochul to refine the legislation with input from environmental, housing, and local government stakeholders. The signatories to the letter agree that clearer timelines, a statute of limitations on legal challenges, and exemptions for housing built on genuinely disturbed urban land can help mitigate the housing crisis, but concerns remain regarding a number of proposed revisions, which include:
- Overly broad exemptions that could fast-track development on lawns, utility corridors, farmland, and partially wooded parcels.
- No flood zone protections (projects in FEMA 100-year flood zones, including in NYC, could bypass environmental review entirely).
- No affordability requirements, meaning the exemptions could accelerate market-rate development without solving the housing crisis.
- No water/sewer capacity checks before new developments connect to already-strained infrastructure.
- A 100-unit exemption threshold outside NYC that is arbitrary and does not take into account population size of smaller municipalities.
- No safeguards for contaminated sites, creating public health risks for nearby residents.
HHLT recognizes the dire need for more affordable housing in the Hudson Valley, but calls on the Governor and lawmakers to approach reforms to SEQRA carefully and ensure that New York’s vital natural resources are not negatively impacted by streamlined residential development that does not deliver affordability to existing and future generations of New Yorkers.
| |
| | | Big Night, Tiny Travelers | |
For amphibians, spring is an active and consequential time of year! Each year, thousands of frogs, toads, salamanders, and other amphibians make their journey from winter habitats to seasonal breeding pools, often crossing roadways in large numbers over just a few key nights. Even light traffic during these crossings can result in significant mortality, making volunteer support important for sustaining healthy local populations.
Since 2020, HHLT has been proud to support the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University on the Amphibian Migration & Road Crossing Project (AM&RC), assisting in organizing volunteer efforts across Putnam and Southern Dutchess County.
On rainy spring evenings referred to as "Big Night", trained volunteers serve as crossing guards -- wearing safety vests and helping amphibians navigate roadways safely. This phenomenon occurs once the ground has thawed and nighttime temperatures hold above 40°F. When those conditions arrive, migration can surge quickly. HHLT alerts local volunteers by email, and they head out to known crossing sites. Last year alone, 27 amazing local volunteers assisted 536 amphibians, including spotted salamanders, wood frogs, spring peepers, pickerel frogs, and American toads.
The stakes extend well beyond individual animals. Wetlands depend on healthy amphibian populations to maintain the ecological balance that filters water, buffers floods, and stores carbon. Amphibians keep insect populations in check, support the broader food chain, and serve as key indicators of overall forest and wetland health. The data volunteers collect also contributes to scientific understanding of wetland health throughout the Hudson River Estuary.
Get Involved:
To participate, you must review the DEC training and resources. Training modules and handouts will cover species identification, road safety, and all the necessary information to get started. To learn more, please visit the DEC Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Resource Page. If you’re interested in joining focused efforts in Putnam and Southern Dutchess Counties after completing the training, please fill out this form. HHLT Volunteer Coordinator, Nadia Azizi, will follow up with you. Thank you to all HHLT volunteers and partners for your continued dedication and support of local wildlife!
| | | Upcoming HHLT Programs & Events | |
Vernal Pool Hike at Lane Gate Preserve!
Saturday, April 4, 10am to 12pm
Join HHLT staff for a FREE family-friendly nature hike exploring the importance of vernal pools and their significance to our region. Registration is required: CLICK HERE
| |
| |
Tree ID Hike at Granite Mountain Preserve!
Friday, April 24, 10am to 12pm
Join HHLT staff and fellow nature enthusiasts for a FREE tree and forest ecology-themed hike at HHLT's flagship preserve, Granite Mountain. Pack your lunch, and we will enjoy a picnic at Lookout Rock while learning about the trees and forests of the Hudson Valley! Registration is required: CLICK HERE
| |
| |
Family Nature Day
Save the date, Saturday, May 30, 2pm - 4pm
Join us for an afternoon of FREE, fun nature activities for all ages! Don’t miss "World of Animals", an interactive presentation featuring live raptors, reptiles, and more!
| |
| | |
HHLT conserves and cares for the lands and waters of the Hudson Highlands,
so that people and nature can flourish together for generations to come.
You make our work possible. Thank you for your support!
| | |
Photo credits, top to bottom: Banner (Carrie Hilpert); Photo of Nadia (Cory Tiger); River photo (Christine Ashburn); Amphibian Close-Up (HHLT Volunteer); Wetland Exploration (Nadia Azizi); Group Hiking (HHLT Staff); Family Nature Day Graphic & Photo (KHCreative Inc., Bridget Goldberg)
Hudson Highlands Land Trust
20 Nazareth Way, P.O. Box 226, Garrison, NY 10524
(845) 424-3358
info@hhlt.org
www.hhlt.org
| |
| | | |
