Riverkeeper

The NYS #DEC has updated its list of endangered and threatened species. This is a vital step in protecting vulnerable animals and their habitats from threats like pollution and climate change. Among the newly listed: 🟢 Atlantic coast leopard frog (now classified as endangered) 🟡 American eel (now listed as a species of special concern) 🐟 Riverkeeper has long advocated for stronger protections for species like the #AmericanEel and #AmericanShad, and we’re pushing for both to receive higher-level classifications that reflect their dramatic population declines. Riverkeeper is not only advocating for these species, we’re working to actively restore the habitats these creatures call home to protect New York's incredible biodiversity. 🌱 #EndangeredSpecies #Biodiversity #NYSDEC #WildlifeConservation #HabitatRestoration #ClimateAction #ConservationEfforts

Riverkeeper applauds Speaker Adams and the New York City Council for prioritizing the environment in their preliminary budget, including funding for parks, the Bureau of Coastal Resiliency, and Renewable Rikers. But with federal cuts to #FEMA and rising storm threats, more must be done. Riverkeeper is calling for: 💰 Increased funding for the NYC Department of Environmental Protection 🚫 Rejection of the $303M water board rental payment 👷 More staff to implement the Unified Stormwater Rule Now’s the time for city and state leaders to fully fund NYC’s climate infrastructure. With another round of budget hearings approaching, Riverkeeper will continue to work to ensure these priorities are included in the final budget. Read more about our NYC work: https://ow.ly/agHU50VCzTz #Riverkeeper #EnvironmentalProtection #ClimateAction #NYCEnvironment #SustainableNYC #ClimateInfrastructure

Federal rollbacks are threatening decades of progress on clean water, climate resilience, and public health. From weakened protections against pollution to cuts in #EPA and #NOAA funding, now is the time for us to take action. Riverkeeper is holding the line by fighting in the courts, advancing stronger state laws, restoring natural defenses and mobilizing advocates like you! 📝 Read our blog for key takeaways from our recent webinar (or to watch it in its entirety!) and learn how you can take action: https://ow.ly/iy7750Vz0cp #CleanWater #ClimateAction #ProtectOurPlanet #Riverkeeper #ClimateResilience

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Riverkeeper’s Summer Splash Gala 🌊 📅 Wednesday, June 4 | 5:30–9:30 PM 📍 Tappan Hill Mansion, Tarrytown, NY Celebrate with us as we honor two incredible environmental champions: 🌟 Basil Seggos, partner at Foley Hoag & former NYS DEC Commissioner 🌟 Ernest Tollerson, Riverkeeper Board Chair Enjoy a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner by Abigail Kirsch, and exciting auctions—all in support of our mission to protect the Hudson and ensure clean water for all New Yorkers. 🎟️ Don’t miss this inspiring night! Purchase tickets here: https://ow.ly/x4QZ50VyXT1 #SummerSplashGala #Riverkeeper #TarrytownEvents #HudsonValley #AbigailKirsch

Some good progress! 🌧️ As flooding becomes a growing threat to safety and water quality, the NYS Senate has passed the “Rain Ready” bill. This is a crucial step toward helping local water and sewer authorities better manage stormwater and protect our communities. Now on to the Assembly!👏 Riverkeeper has long advocated for this legislation, which empowers local governments to tackle runoff from impervious surfaces—a major source of pollution in our waterways. With the legislative session underway, we’re also pushing for: ✅ an Assembly bill to limit toxic coal tar sealants (already passed in the Senate) ✅ a Senate bill requiring PFAS testing for discharges into waterways ✅ a Senate bill to disclose liability coverage for oil transporters Let’s keep the pressure on for stronger water protections across New York! 🗽 Read more about our legislative efforts: https://ow.ly/grEL50Vyk0Q #RainReadyBill #StormwaterManagement #EnvironmentalLegislation #Riverkeeper #FloodPrevention #WaterProtection

Riverkeeper President Tracy Brown recently spoke to The Guardian about the challenges environmental groups like ours are facing during the current administration calling it, "a pandemic-level shock to the system." With massive cuts to the #EPA, we're facing a loss of research that will directly affect advocacy efforts. “We’re in a moment where the environment is changing. We’re seeing climate changing the conditions we’re living in and need to be leaning into science to find out what is changing and how we do better to be prepared for the changes,” Tracy is quoted. Riverkeeper's Associate Director of Government Affairs also spoke about how we're responding to these shifting political winds, funding challenges, and what’s ahead for the Hudson River in the latest episode of Green Radio Hour with Jon Bowermaster. Find the latest news and updates from Riverkeeper in the media: https://ow.ly/mACE50VyWEN 📷 Photo: Steve Mack/Alamy #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #ClimateChange #Riverkeeper #EPACuts #HudsonRiver #ClimateAction #GreenRadioHour

Yesterday, Riverkeeper staff were busy packing up materials and T shirts to send out to our awesome Sweep leaders for this year's Riverkeeper Sweep on Saturday, May 3! 🐟 These packages will be sent up and down the Hudson watershed from the Adirondacks to the city and include everything teams will need to have a successful cleanup. 📦 Have you registered to volunteer at a Sweep event yet? Now's the time! See a full list of Sweep cleanup sites and register: https://ow.ly/E0m950VykKn #RiverkeeperSweep #HudsonRiver #CleanupEvent

Riverkeeper helped organize a bipartisan letter from 30 New York State senators urging the #EPA to take stronger action on the Hudson River #PCB cleanup. Led by Senators Michelle Hinchey (D) and Rob Rolison (R), the letter calls on the EPA to declare the current cleanup efforts inadequate and demand a real remediation plan to protect public health, wildlife, and the economy. Despite its own data showing that toxic PCB contamination remains a serious threat, the EPA recently claimed it needs more information before acting. Learn more about our work with PCBs here: https://ow.ly/b35v50VvVtZ #HudsonRiver #PCBcleanup #NewYorkState #EnvironmentalAction #Riverkeeper

The NYS DEC has proposed new draft permits to speed up approvals for projects in state-regulated waters and wetlands. But with weak oversight and enforcement, these changes could allow harmful activities in sensitive ecosystems. 💧 Riverkeeper has submitted comments urging the DEC to amend the draft permits and uphold New York’s environmental commitments. Stay informed and support wetland protections: https://ow.ly/IrNe50VtUl8 #WetlandConservation #EnvironmentalProtection #Riverkeeper #NewYorkState

Riverkeeper recently held the second annual Hudson River Water Quality Monitoring Collaborative Symposium and Workshop. Over 90 scientists, advocates, activists, regulators and communicators came together to learn about Riverkeeper’s current monitoring and plans to expand these efforts. Attendees also shared insights on how to best utilize data to engage communities and achieve water quality improvements, and to develop collaborations to expand protection, data collection, and communication efforts. You can learn more about our water quality monitoring efforts here: https://ow.ly/XKMR50VuFjM #HudsonRiver #Riverkeeper #WaterQuality #WaterQualitySymposium