LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Hudson
Highlands Land Trust

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend those
illustrious organizations of the State of New York whose focus and
intent is to promote environmental conservation and protection as well
as to encourage the appreciation and understanding of the environment as
a whole; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 25th Anniversary of Hudson Highlands Land Trust; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday afternoon, March 12, 1989, twenty-one residents of
the Hudson Highlands met at Castle Rock, the Garrison, New York home of
Douglas and Sarah Banker; they came together due to the mounting devel-
opment pressure in the Highlands, and were determined to preserve the
community's rural character and scenic beauty; and
WHEREAS, Upon completion of the meeting, the Hudson Highlands Land
Trust (HHLT) was a reality: a board, an executive committee, and a slate
of officers had been elected, and a two-year plan of action had been
adopted; in addition, a modest start-up budget was approved and staff
was limited to one person, working half time; and
WHEREAS, On April 24, 1989, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust was issued
a Certificate of Incorporation by the State of New York; more than two
decades later, the organization has a three-person, professional staff
including an Executive Director, a Director of Outreach and Development,
and a Director of Land Preservation; and
WHEREAS, The Hudson Highlands Land Trust owns 39 acres outright, holds
conservation easements on 59 properties and has permanently preserved
1,300 acres from development; and
WHEREAS, Initially, the mission area of HHLT was limited to Philips-
town, New York; in 2004, recognizing that conservation is a regional
issue, and that unplanned development in one community can seriously
affect the scenery, ecology and land values in many others, the board
doubled the mission area to include Putnam Valley, Highlands and Corn-
wall, and the Villages of Highland Falls and Cornwall-on-Hudson; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Hudson Highlands Land Trust was permitted by the
Land Trust Alliance (LTA) to be a first-round applicant for accredi-
tation; the staff mounted an intensive effort to meet the numerous and
exacting criteria for accreditation; and
WHEREAS, HHLT became one of the first 39 land trusts Nationwide to
receive LTA accreditation in September of 2008, certifying a land
trust's adherence to LTA Standards and Practices, and creating increased
public trust in the organization, confidence in its work and acceptance
of its advocacy efforts; and
WHEREAS, With land conservation at the heart of its mission for the
past 25 years, HHLT has also made great strides in public policy,
outreach and education; they have worked closely with the towns of
Philipstown and Putnam Valley as they have revised comprehensive plans
and zoning codes; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, Hudson Highlands Land Trust is working to expand
its presence and involvement in the communities on the Hudson's West
Bank; HHLT has also expanded its outreach efforts to include events and
programming to inform and involve the greater community of its mission;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
recognize Hudson Highlands Land Trust, for its unwavering commitment to

the citizens of New York State, as it provides an uncompromising stand-
ard of excellence in the delivery of superlative community service; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as Hudson Highlands Land Trust, which
has worked tirelessly on behalf of protecting our natural surroundings
for the benefit of present and future generations of New Yorkers; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Hudson Highlands Land Trust; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Hudson Highlands Land Trust, Garrison, New York.