Events / Workshops

These programs are free-of-charge and are especially designed for members of Conservation Advisory Councils and similar environmental commissions, Planning Boards, ZBAs, conservation NGOs, and others who are regularly engaged in policy-making, environmental reviews, and issues related to land development and conservation in the Hudson Valley.

The webinars are conducted in partnership with Cornell University and the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program, and funded by the NYS Environmental Protection Fund.

 

Best Practices for Environmental Reviews
Webinar, Wednesday, June 17, 2020 12:00pm – 1:00pm

 
This event has passed but click here to view webinar recording or webinar presentation slides under Past Webinars (leaves Hudsonia website)
 
Reviews and approvals of most land development and subdivision projects are carried out at the local level by municipal Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeal. Conservation Advisory Councils or other environmental commissions often assist with reviewing projects and advising decision-makers. This webinar will address how to obtain natural resource information for a site, techniques for map interpretation, and effective ways to incorporate conservation principles for significant habitats, wildlife, and water resources into those reviews.  Building a collaborative relationship between the reviewing agency and the applicant from the earliest stage of project planning can lead to a speedier review process and improve project outcomes.
 
Presenter: Gretchen Stevens, Hudsonia Ltd.
 
Credit certificates for one hour of municipal training will be available.
 
Follow-up Materials:

 

Headwater Streams: Identifying and Protecting an Essential Resource
Webinar, Mon-Thu, 3-6 August 2020 3:00pm – 4:00pm each day


This event has passed but see below for recordings (links leave Hudsonia website):

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Virtual Field Trip

Small headwater streams are often unnamed and unmapped, and unprotected by state or federal regulations. Yet these streams support distinctive biological communities, play ecological roles important to the surrounding landscape, and are essential sources of water, organic materials, and organisms for the larger downstream systems.

We will discuss the ecological values of small streams; how to identify them remotely and in the field; threats to stream habitats and water quality; the status of state and federal regulatory programs for small streams; and how to extend local protections to these important resources.

Certificates for six hours of municipal training credit will be available to attendees. NOTE: The program is free-of-charge, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited due to planned interaction with participants. Applicants from Hudson Valley municipal or county agencies, conservation or watershed organizations, and others involved in local land use planning or decision-making will be given priority to attend. In addition, applicants who can attend all four sessions will be prioritized. You will be notified by Lea Stickle if accepted to the webinar.

 

Wetlands: Values, Threats, and Protection
Webinar, Mon-Wed, 21-23 September 2020 3:00pm – 4:30pm each day

See flyer here

This webinar’s registration has closed but check back after the event to view the recording!

Despite some protections in federal and state wetland regulations, wetlands are still being lost and degraded.

In three 1.5 hour sessions, we will discuss the ecological and water resource values of wetlands; how to identify unmapped wetlands on site plans and other maps using online tools and in the field; the status of state and federal regulatory programs for wetlands; and how to extend local protections to these important resources.

Municipal training credits will be available to attendees. Note: The program is free-of-charge, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Registration will be open until 14 September. Applicants from Hudson Valley municipal or county agencies, conservation or watershed organizations, and others involved in local land use planning or decision-making will be given priority to attend. In addition, applicants who can attend all three sessions will be prioritized. You will be notified by Lea Stickle if accepted to the webinar.

View past webinars and other resources posted by the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5094.html (link will leave Hudsonia website)

To be informed of programs as they are scheduled, please SUBSCRIBE to our Biodiversity Education email list.

Hudsonia, a tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation of the State of New York, classified 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service, relies on the generous, tax-deductible contributions from members of our community to sustain our research and education. We appreciate your support of our work.

Donate