Teatown Lake Reservation’s four decades of experience in environmental education, strong community-based values, and success at land stewardship make it well poised to further serve the community through regional conservation outreach and action. In October 2006, the Teatown Board of Trustees passed a new strategic plan calling for expanded involvement and stronger leadership in nature conservation in New York’s Hudson Hills and Highlands.

In 2007, Teatown launched its “Hudson Hills and Highlands Initiative,” a portfolio of projects, whose intended impact is to strengthen the public’s motivation and ability both to conserve biodiversity and to protect the ecological services that nature provides us – essential actions for sustainable living.   

Teatown is located in the hills and highlands of New York’s Hudson Valley. This bioregion includes parts of five counties: Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland and Orange. Nearly 80% of the region lies east of the Hudson River in Westchester and Putnam counties. About 785,000 people share the 936-square-mile area with a rich diversity of habitats, plant and animals. The nationally-acclaimed Hudson River Estuary and majestic Hudson Highlands form the region’s backbone. The natural bounty is especially surprisingly considering that New York City and its 12 million residents are located less than 50 miles to the south.

Regrettably, the Hudson Hills and Highlands is threatened by sprawling development, invasive species, climate change, pollution, little regional planning, and species extinctions. We recognize that the need for Teatown’s leadership in regional nature conservation has never been greater!