Annual Report 2010

Publications: Annual Report | Your Valley | Valley Updates | Greener Valley

Your Support of Scenic Hudson Creates Enduring Benefits

Board Chair Frederic C. Rich (left) and President Ned Sullivan Seth Martel

Last year Scenic Hudson protected 1,315 acres of stunning land critical to the ecology and scenic beauty of the Hudson Valley. Ten exciting park projects revitalized waterfronts and provided 215 construction jobs. More than 375 acres of farmland were saved, bringing our total preserved to more than 8,000 acres. With local citizens up and down the valley we stopped or scaled back 700 units of sprawling development poised to destroy magnificent views or essential wildlife habitat. We're still watchdogging GE's PCB cleanup and have started to monitor a power line from Canada proposed to run the length of the Hudson to ensure it meets its claims of bringing renewable energy to New York City without causing environmental damage to the river and its banks.

All this work will yield long-term dividends, improving the health and well-being of residents for generations. The acres conserved in our Saving the Land That Matters Most campaign contribute to sustainable prosperity, whether by protecting our aquifers, supplying healthy local produce or mitigating climate change impacts. Our new parks make our downtowns vibrant, attracting green businesses. And our ongoing campaign for a clean Hudson will make the river safer for drinking, fishing, swimming and recreational boating.

Our work is often justified in terms of economic benefits, science and public policy. But as you admire the images in this report, please remember the enormous power of natural beauty. Unfortunately, threats to the valley persist. Proposed developments that would obliterate forests, pollute streams and pave over farm fields await an economic rebound. We must ramp up efforts to Save the Land That Matters Most now, while real estate prices make each dollar go further.

We're both enormously grateful for your continued generous support to Scenic Hudson.

-- Frederic C. Rich, Board Chair and Ned Sullivan, President, November 2009

Download Scenic Hudson's 2010 Annual Report (PDF/4.4MB)