irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2.58MProtecting the health and vitality of the land that sustains us What started with a targeted push to save Storm King from an industrial project has evolved into the steady conservation of more than 50,000 acres of land across the region almost four times the size of the island of Manhattan. We remain committed to making the Hudson Valley a great place to live, work, and play by protecting and enhancing the region's great assets beautiful open spaces, working farms, and historic cities and town centers. Our work doesn't stop once land is conserved. We are leading innovative projects to protect the long-term health of Hudson Valley forests and increase regeneration.
- #2 $2.24MPartnering to power and feed a changing Hudson Valley We are working to counter the threats from our warming planet to the beautiful landscapes, vibrant communities, and quality of life in the Hudson Valley by advancing the region's transition to renewable energy. We're also focused on sustaining the farmland that has defined and nourished this region for centuries. We have partnered with farmers to protect 23,000 acres on more than 150 farms over the last three decades. We also promote regenerative practices that not only reduce agricultural carbon emissions but support soil health and resiliency in the face of destructive flooding, droughts, and storms, helping farmers stay in business.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Climate Resilience
Advances climate adaptation and mitigation through land conservation, community planning, and protection of flood-resistant habitats and migration corridors
Community Revitalization
Partners with urban and rural communities to transform neglected natural areas into safe public spaces and provide skill-building opportunities for youth
Land Conservation
Conserves critical open spaces, forests, and farmland across the Hudson Valley, having protected over 50,000 acres including 23,000 acres on more than 150 farms
Park Management
Creates and manages parks as models of ecological and climate resilience
Renewable Energy Transition
Supports region-wide shift to renewable energy while protecting iconic landscapes, farmland, and cultural resources
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocacy for sustainable land use and renewable energy policyAdvocates for land use policies that direct new housing to previously disturbed sites to prevent sprawl and protect open space, and urges passage of legislation to strengthen New York’s commitment to renewable energy as a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.
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Urban Resilience Planning & Advocacy 1 activity
- Climate resilience planning and adaptation for parks and communitiesImplements climate-proofing measures for parks and provides guidance to riverfront communities on adapting to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, with actions underway to enhance resilience in over 45 parks in the Hudson Valley.
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Community Environmental Monitoring and Research 1 activity
- Environmental research and risk assessment studiesConducts and commissions research on environmental threats, including a report estimating $11.4 billion in natural resource damages from PCB pollution and the publication of the Hudson River Oil Spill Risk Assessment modeling 77 hypothetical spill scenarios.
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Endowment and Gift Fund Management 1 activity
- Financial stewardship and fossil fuel divestmentManages an endowment with a commitment to eliminate fossil fuel investments over time and avoids direct investments in fossil fuel-focused companies.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Land and farmland conservation in the Hudson ValleyConserves land and farmland across the Hudson Valley region, with over 50,000 acres protected overall and 23,000 acres conserved on more than 150 farms through partnerships with farmers over the past thirty years.
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Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
- Revitalization of contaminated and neglected sites into public green spacesTransforms contaminated industrial sites and vacant urban lots into public parks and community assets, including the cleanup and renovation of the Standard Gage factory into the carbon-neutral Northside Hub and the development of Pershing Community Farm and Fall Kill Creek in Poughkeepsie.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth engagement and skill-building through community-led restorationProvides skill-building opportunities for teens through community-led revitalization projects in neglected natural areas.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Advocacy for climate justice and emissions reduction programsSupports a feasibility study for a cap-and-invest program to limit emissions and advocates for strengthened protections for historically disadvantaged communities impacted by climate change.
- Environmental policy testimony and legislative engagementProvides testimony to state legislative bodies on the importance of environmental protection investments for clean water, climate resilience, and regional economic vitality.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$18.55M
Contributions & grants$9.85M53%
Program service revenue$6.77M37%
Investment income$2.13M11%
Other revenue$-196K
expenses
Total expenses$13.51M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$10.01M
Grants paid out$10K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$76.62M
Cash$2.92M
Investments$38.36M
Liabilities$7.98M
Net assets$68.63M
Liquid reserves36.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -1.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 10
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward O Sullivan | President | 35 | $636K |
| Erin Riley | Senior Vice President | 50 | $444K |
| Jason Camporese | Chief Finance & Operations | 40 | $402K |
| Seth McKee | Exec Dir. SHLT and Land Programs | 45 | $376K |
| Peter Lopez | Exec. Dir. Policy, Adv. & Science | 50 | $290K |
| Theresa Andersen | Human Resources Director | 40 | $208K |
| Riley Johndonnell | Dir. Of Commu. & Creative Ser. | 40 | $204K |
| Rita Shaheen | Dir. of Parks & Community | 40 | $177K |
| Kelly Boling | Senior Program Officer | 35 | $162K |
| Cari Watkins-Bates | Dir. of Land Conservation | 45 | $155K |
board members · 15
- Alexander Reese — Ex Officio, Chair of the SHLT
- Andrew Gelb — Assistant Treasurer
- Carl H Loewenson Jr — Director
- Carlos A Gonzalez — Director
- Charlene Chai — Director
- Charles L Kerr — Director
- Cybele Fishman — Vice Chair
- Dawn Watson — Director
- Deidrea Miller — Director
- Diana Myint — Director
- Edward B Whitney — Treasurer
- Elizabeth D Moore — Director
- Elyse Arnow Brill — Director
- Frederic C Rich — Director
- Gil Raviv — Director
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Governor Hochul Government — Engages with Scenic Hudson on housing, conservation, and climate policy; referenced in public statements regarding state budget outcomes.
- Land Trust Alliance Government — Recognized Scenic Hudson with the National Land Trust Excellence Award in 2011.
- Land Trust Alliance Network — Accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, indicating membership and adherence to national land conservation standards.
- New York State Joint Legislative Committee Government — Presented policy testimony on state budget priorities related to environmental protection.
- New York State Legislature Partner — Collaborates with Scenic Hudson on state budget decisions related to environmental policy and land use.
- The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. Partner — Jointly files consolidated financial statements and shares board oversight for investment management.
- community groups in Poughkeepsie Partner — Works with local stakeholders to redevelop urban spaces such as Pershing Community Farm and restore ecologically significant areas like Fall Kill Creek.
- farmers Partner — Partners with farmers to protect farmland and promote regenerative agricultural practices.
- farmers in the Hudson Valley Partner — Collaborates with over 150 farmers to conserve farmland and promote regenerative agricultural practices.
- residents Partner — Partners with residents in diverse communities to revitalize neglected natural areas.
- riverfront communities Partner — Provides guidance to riverfront communities on climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Environmental Justice Integrationmethodology: environmental justiceBy directing conservation investments and protections to historically disadvantaged communities, Scenic Hudson advances equitable climate resilience because frontline communities bear disproportionate climate burdens and deserve prioritized investment.
- Grassroots Advocacy for Conservation Outcomesmethodology: grassroots environmental advocacyBy mobilizing public engagement and local advocacy, Scenic Hudson influences large-scale environmental protection decisions because community-powered movements create durable political and institutional change.
- Integrated Land and Community Revitalizationmethodology: land-and-community_revitalizationBy combining long-term land preservation with community revitalization, Scenic Hudson produces resilient landscapes and equitable community benefits because ecological and social systems are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
- Natural Climate Solutions through Land Conservationmethodology: natural_climate_solutionsBy conserving and regenerating forests, farms, and floodplains, Scenic Hudson sequesters carbon, reduces climate hazards, and protects biodiversity because intact ecosystems are foundational to climate resilience and carbon neutrality.
- Science-Informed and Collaborative Conservation Planningmethodology: science_based_conservationBy grounding conservation strategies in scientific research and inclusive partnerships, Scenic Hudson ensures ecological integrity and broad-based support because durable environmental outcomes require both technical rigor and community legitimacy.