Putnam County Conservation Organizations
Visit the links below to learn more about the organizations that have helped preserve the natural beauty of Putnam County.
Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary
This Audubon New York site plays a vital role in preserving the Hudson River’s natural habitat. It is designated as a NYS Bird Conservation Area and a Significant Costal Fish and Wildlife Habitat. The Center provides nature education programs for visiting groups and conducts environmental studies.
Learn more about this unique Putnam County wildlife sanctuary here: https://constitution.audubon.org/#
Glynwood Center
The 1,000 acre Glynwood estate boasts a non-profit farm that preserves Putnam County’s agricultural heritage. The organization trains young farmers and consults agricultural startups on environmental sustainability. Glynwood strives to create a strong regional food system.
You can support Glynwood by purchasing their sustainably grown meat and produce from their website, https://www.glynwood.org/
Hudson Highlands Land Trust
Founded in 1989, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust preserves the region’s scenic beauty. The Trust has conserved 3,000+ acres of land in the region. The organization advocates for comprehensive legislation and funding for open space and natural resource protection at the state and national level. It also works closely with local municipalities to balance economic growth and the protection of vital resources such as clean water and sustainable forests.
Visit the HHLT website to learn more about their work. https://www.hhlt.org/
Hudson Highlands State Park
Hudson Highlands State Park is a non-contiguous 8,000+ acre preserve with over 70 miles of trail. The park encompasses vast stretches of Putnam County; much of this land was previously part of vast estates or controlled by commercial groups that exploited it for resources. These lands were given to New York State throughout the 1960s and in 1970, Governor Nelson Rockefeller officially opened Hudson Highlands State Park. Today the park offers picturesque views of the Hudson River and preserves historic sites such as the Cornish Estate (right) and North Redoubt.
Plan your trip to Hudson Highlands State Park by visiting their website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/hudsonhighlands/details.aspx
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc.
In the mid 1960’s, folk musician and environmental advocate Pete Seeger commissioned the Clearwater, a replica of an eighteenth century Dutch trading sloop, to raise environmental awareness. The ship took part in the United States’ inaugural Earth Day in 1970. Today, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc. continues to Seeger’s mission to preserve and protect the Hudson River. The organization uses the Clearwater as a floating classroom. It has educated 500,000 people on the Hudson River’s native ecology.
Learn more about the Clearwater by visiting their website https://www.clearwater.org/
Open Space Institute
Founded in 1974, the Open Space Institute facilitates land easements and acquisitions to support land conservation on a large and permanent scale. The organization started its work in the Hudson Valley and has since become a national leader in environmental conservation. It has conserved 151,000 acres of open space land to strengthen communities, protect habitats, and provide recreational resources to the public.
Visit OSI’s website here: https://www.openspaceinstitute.org
Scenic Hudson
In 1963, Hudson Valley residents formed the Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference, better known today as Scenic Hudson. The organization propelled the United States’ first grassroots environmental movement, a campaign to protect Storm King Mountain from a hydroelectric plant proposed by Con Edison. Today the organization continues to defend against industrial development, negotiate conservation easements, and initiate the cleanup of toxic materials in the Hudson River. By creating public parks and preserves, including Cold Spring’s West Point Foundry Preserve, Scenic Hudson ensures widespread public access to important historic landscapes and promotes human connection with nature.
Visit Scenic Hudson’s website to learn more. https://www.scenichudson.org/
Tilly Foster Farm
Tilly Foster Farms preserves Putnam County’s agricultural heritage through a range of programs. The site houses a community garden, farm-to-table restaurant, and an educational institute that partners with the BOCES’ Career and Technical Center to train high school students interested in pursuing a career in the food service industry. Tilly Foster Farms also houses the Putnam County Antique Machinery Association’s collection of antique farm equipment, tractors, farm implements and gas engines.
Visit their website to learn more https://putnamtillyfoster.com/
