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Hudson Highlands Land Trust Annual Report Reveals Growth, Strengthening Ties to Community
The Hudson Highlands Land Trust has announced the completion of its 2006 Annual Report. According to the report, the Land Trust has experienced another successful year evidenced by a healthy mix of achievements in land conservation, public policy and community outreach activities, as well as the growth of the organization's staff.
In the letter that opens the report, HHLT President Chris Davis and Executive Director Andy Chmar thanked supporters and also reported changes in the organization's "dynamic family" with departing Board of Directors members, Nick Angell, Ralph Odell and Susan Bates replaced by new directors Seamus Carroll, Anne Symmes and Jim Killough, as well as the addition to the Land Trust staff of MJ Martin, Director of Outreach and Development.
Highlights of the report include the approval of amendments to easements the Land Trust holds on property in Garrison; some notable legislative developments affecting land preservation at both the federal and state levels; ongoing programs to monitor the Highlands ecosystems and increase community involvement in protecting the environment like the Philipstown Buildout Analysis, and various community outreach and awareness events and activities.
Some events sponsored and/ or organized by HHLT which were mentioned in the Report are the Second Annual Family Festival, a square dance and barbecue at Mayor's Park in Cold Spring that drew more than 400 adults and children in July; the Second Annual Sustainability Expo, Choices for Sustainable Living: Going Local in November, a half-day forum consisting of 18 greenoriented exhibitors, a keynote address by Science Correspondent for The New York Times, author, and local resident Andrew Revkin, and three breakout workshops; the Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon; and the ever-popular Take-A-Hike! series.
The Land Trust also reported that it ended 2006 in a healthy financial position. Overall, 84% of funds received through grants
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