Hudson River Environmental Society

Activities

Conferences and Events

The best known activities of HRES are its conferences and workshops on subjects of current environmental interest. These programs draw participation from the Hudson Valley region and neighboring states. HRES has organized topical programs on such subjects as:

  • PCB’s
  • Acid Rain
  • Dredging and Spoil Disposal
  • The Hudson River Fisheries
  • State Environmental Quality Review Act
  • Freshwater and Tidal Wetlands
  • Toxic and Hazardous Waste Management
  • Coal Conversions
  • Scenic and Historic Area Preservation
  • Energy and the Future
  • Coastal Revitalization and Preservation
  • Cultural Resources
  • Tributaries
  • Fisheries
  • Climate Change

Symposia on Hudson River Ecology

Symposia on Hudson River Ecology were organized in 1966 and 1969 by a consortium of institutions and agencies. Since then, HRES has sponsored these symposia periodically and has published the proceedings.

Research Collections

HRES has one of the largest libraries of environmental research reports, impact statements and related material on the Hudson River. Many of these documents were originally prepared for limited distribution and are not easily available elsewhere. Under an arrangement with Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, the HRES collection is housed at the college’s library and is available to the general public.

HRES also owns a significant collection of HudsonRiver photographs and related materials, primarily of historical interest, which is on permanent loan to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library at Hyde Park.

Annual Recognition Awards

McKeon Student Research Grants

The McKean Student Research Grants Program of the Hudson River Environmental Society provides small grants (up to $1,000) for High School and College students to undertake research relating to the Hudson Valley during the summer. These grants encourage students to maintain their interest in STEM fields as they continue their education and to enhance their interest in working on issues relevant to the Hudson Valley.

HRES sends out a Request for Proposals (RFP) in January of each year to schools in the Hudson Valley. Requests submitted by February (date) are reviewed by the McKeon grant committee. Awardees are then notified by the committee in March.

The awardees are required to present a poster of their research findings at the next year’s symposium.

Annual Leadership Awards/Annual Dinner

Annually HRES recognizes the contributions that individuals have made towards providing a better understanding of the environmental issues facing the citizens of the Hudson Valley. HRES established five leadership categories (see below) to honor those people. Annual winners are presented awards (framed prints or plaques) at our fall awards dinner.

CategoriesCriteria
Dennis J. Suszkowski Leadership AwardCommemorating Dennis Suszkowski, Ph.D., this awards an individual who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities throughout their career. This award recognizes an individual whose contributions to the Hudson Valley directly reflect their ability to motivate people through communicating a compelling vision and need, showing heartfelt respect and concern for others, always making those around them feel important, empowering and respecting those they work with, and showing a deep sense of gratitude to others. Dennis embodied these leadership traits and left a lasting impression on all who had the honor to know and work with him. This is the highest award that the Hudson River Environmental Society gives.
Distinguished Service AwardFor outstanding and distinguished service, usually over a period of years, contributing to the preservation and management of the Hudson River Valley. Such achievements should have contributed materially to the resolution of major problems or made major contributions to the preservation or improvement of the Hudson Valley environment.
Outstanding Environmental Communicator AwardFor outstanding public service in the form of communication and cooperation among the scientific community, citizens, and public officials of the Hudson Valley.
Outstanding Educator AwardFor outstanding achievement in teaching about the natural and human-affected environments in the Hudson River Valley, and for inspiring others to seek understanding of the Hudson River Valley.
Outstanding Practitioner AwardFor outstanding achievement in the application of science, social science, or engineering skills that contribute to a better understanding of, or solution to environmental problems of and the better function of the Hudson River.