irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $284KStewardship and Natural Resources Protection: HHLT is involved in a variety of program initiatives focused on stewardship and natural resouce protection. In addition to active stewardship and defense of our conservation portfolio, we work with partners to address issues as diverse as invasive species management, drinking water protection, biodiversity conservation, and safeguarding resilient/connected natural areas.
- #2 $375KOutreach and Education: Through the Organization's outreach events and programs, HHLT seeks to create public awareness on a number of issues (including land conservation, flora/fauna biodiversity, climate resilience, and connectivity), and celebrates the natural splendor of the Hudson Highlands with community members of all ages. Our outreach programming aims to instill a sense of the importance of stewardship in residents and visitors to the Hudson Highlands, through a diverse array of activities and events. Major outreach programs include: free webinars and training, hikes and volunteer days on conserved properties, and partnerships with trail groups to educate the many visitors to our area about our natural resources.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Conservation Easement Program
Acquires and monitors conservation easements to permanently protect natural areas, working with private landowners and community partners.
Outreach and Education
Offers public webinars, hikes, volunteer days, and partnerships with trail groups to promote awareness of land conservation, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Public Policy Advocacy
Works with municipalities and regional networks to advance conservation planning, smart zoning, and resilient landscape policies.
Stewardship and Natural Resources Protection
Manages conservation easements and owned lands through monitoring, invasive species control, habitat restoration, and ecological enhancement across the Hudson Highlands.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Local Land Conservation Advocacy 2 activities
- Connect green spaces through regional conservation corridorsDevelops green corridors and connects natural areas across the New York Highlands region in collaboration with landowners, neighbors, and conservation groups to enable wildlife movement and enhance ecosystem resilience.
- Support conservation planning with municipalities and partnersWorks with private landowners, municipalities, and regional planners to create natural resource inventories and guide balanced development through conservation agreements, land acquisitions, and collaborative planning initiatives.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Engage volunteers in land stewardshipHosts weekly stewardship events during summer months and ongoing volunteer opportunities for trail maintenance, invasive species removal, cleanups, native plantings, outreach support, and documentation through photography and videography.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Manage nature preserves and owned conservation landsManages approximately 1,000 acres of owned land across three nature preserves, including Granite Mountain Preserve with over 500 acres and 5+ miles of trails, conducting stewardship activities such as invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and habitat restoration.
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Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
- Permanently protect land in the Hudson Highlands regionAcquires and holds conservation easements and owns land to permanently protect over 3,600 acres from over-development, including facilitating protection of additional acres through partnerships with state agencies and conservation organizations.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide public access and environmental education programsOffers free guided hikes, webinars, training, family-friendly community events, and outreach programs annually to connect people with nature and promote lifelong stewardship of natural resources.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Restore degraded habitatsConducts habitat restoration projects, including converting former golf course land at Humble Bee Hollow into healthy ecosystems by planting native species and removing invasives to support biodiversity.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Advance organizational credibility and transparencyMaintains full accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission since 2008, holds a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, and is designated as an approved nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet.
- Advocate for land trust standards and best practicesCo-led HHLT’s accreditation applications in 2008 and 2013 using Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices; served on the Land Trust Alliance Standards Advisory Committee (2016–2017) to guide national revisions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.70M
Contributions & grants$1.53M90%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$171K10%
Other revenue$494
expenses
Total expenses$1.22M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$796K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$20.37M
Cash$567K
Investments$12.65M
Liabilities$690K
Net assets$19.68M
Liquid reserves130.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -8.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katrina Shindledecker | Executive Director | 40 | $158K |
board members · 24
- Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff — Director
- Angelica Patterson — Director
- Anne Symmes — Director
- Bente Strong — Director
- Bonnie Turner — Director
- Christopher Davis — Director
- Claudio Marzollo — Director
- Daniel Kramer — Director
- Dinesh Kapoor — Director
- Douglas Land — Vice Chair
- Edwin McGowan — Director
- Frederic Rich — Director
- Glennon Watson — Director
- Gregory Starner — Director
- Henry Kingsley — Director
- James Cross — Director
- Jeffrey Bunzel — Chairperson
- Kristin Sorenson — Director
- Lizabeth Dunn — Director
- Michael Clarke — Director
- Nancy Berner — Director
- Pascale Hutz — Treasurer
- Phoebe Geer — Director
- Rudolph Rauch — Secretary
relationships · 25
Who they work with
- 1% for the Planet Network — Approved nonprofit partner organization
- Benevity Partner — Platform used to process corporate matching gifts.
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Partner — Partner referenced through integration with iNaturalist and Seek apps for community science species identification.
- Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council Partner — HHLT staff member Ted Warren serves on the council, creating and implementing local conservation and land use planning projects.
- EarthShare Partner — Platform used to process corporate matching gifts.
- GuideStar Partner — Recognized with a Platinum Seal of Transparency
- Land Trust Accreditation Commission Government — Accredits HHLT as a land trust meeting national standards in land conservation.
- Land Trust Accreditation Commission Partner — Accredited land trust meeting national standards for excellence in conservation
- Land Trust Alliance Network — HHLT is guided by and participates in the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices, with staff contributing to national revisions.
- New York State Government — Incorporated under Section 402 of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of New York State.
- Putnam County Government — Collaborated with HHLT to permanently protect 93 acres of land.
- Trail Groups Partner — Partners with trail groups to educate visitors about natural resources in the Hudson Highlands.
- Wildlands Network Partner — Partner referenced through endorsement and promotion of the Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act.
- YourCause Partner — Platform used to process corporate matching gifts.
- local community groups Partner — Partners to support community engagement and conservation initiatives.
- local government Partner — Partners with local government to protect natural lands and improve public access.
- local municipalities Partner — Collaborates on natural resource inventories and conservation planning.
- other conservation organizations Partner — Collaborates to advance regional conservation goals.
- other conservation organizations Partner — Works with other conservation groups to protect natural areas in the Hudson Highlands.
- other local organizations Partner — Collaborates to advance conservation mission and host Relearning Highlands History series.
- private landowners Partner — Works with landowners on conservation agreements and land transactions.
- project partners Partner — Provides grants in support of HHLT's projects.
- regional planners Partner — Works together on creating natural resource and open space inventories.
- state agencies Partner — Collaborates with state agencies on land protection and public accessibility initiatives.
- state and local agencies Partner — Facilitates land acquisitions by public agencies.
strategies · 4
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.
- Collaborative Landscape Conservationmethodology: collaborative_landscape_conservationBy partnering with conservation organizations, municipalities, landowners, and communities, we protect interconnected natural areas and amplify regional impact because collective action enables landscape-scale resilience and shared stewardship that individual efforts cannot achieve.
- Community Stewardship Through Education and Engagementmethodology: community_stewardship_engagementBy connecting people to nature through experiential education and volunteer programs, we cultivate lifelong stewardship because direct participation fosters personal responsibility and sustained conservation behavior.
- Land Protection Through Legal Permanencemethodology: land_acquisition_and_stewardshipBy using land acquisitions and conservation agreements, we ensure permanent protection of critical lands because legally binding instruments prevent future development and secure long-term ecological integrity and public access.
- Wildlife Resilience Through Habitat Connectivitymethodology: wildlife_corridor_connectivityBy creating and connecting green corridors, we support wildlife movement and species resilience because connected landscapes enable access to essential resources, genetic diversity, and climate adaptation.