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About Us


The Hudson River Foundation (HRF) seeks to make science integral to decision-making about the Hudson River and its watershed and to support science-based stewardship of this extraordinary resource for all who live, work, and recreate there.

As the primary resource and advocate for science and environmental research on the Hudson River and its watershed, the Hudson River Foundation (HRF) connects the scientific community, policy makers, and the general public with a wealth of information and analysis. For the general public, HRF offers research results, reports, and opportunities for education regarding efforts to restore and sustain the Hudson’s waters. For the scientific community and policy makers, HRF is the gateway to scientific information, research opportunities, and dialogue about technical issues facing the River and watershed.

The Foundation has recently completed a new Strategic Plan that will guide our work and help us achieve our vision of a healthy and resilient Hudson River, Estuary and Watershed for nature and people.

Scroll down to view our Staff Members and Board of Directors.

New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) was established in 1987 under the Clean Water Act as an ongoing effort to develop and implement a consensus driven plan to protect, conserve and restore the Harbor Estuary, one of the Nation’s 28 Estuaries of National Significance. HEP provides a forum to develop and implement actions that improve the health of the Estuary by convening interested stakeholders from across familiar divides of geography and expertise, producing and disseminating science and data to illuminate the issues, and collaborating with others to identify and address management challenges and opportunities in a way that is environmentally and economically responsible.

The Hudson River Foundation has been a partner with HEP for the past 30 years, helping lead partnerships and advance the science needed to address critical management questions. The Foundation assumed overall responsibility for managing HEP in 2014.


Staff


  • Rupu Gupta, Ph.D.
  • Senior Scientist for Social Sciences and Evaluation
  • Hudson River Foundation
    rgupta@hudsonriver.org


  • Zoe Screwvala
  • Project Associate
    Website Administrator
  • Hudson River Foundation
    zoe@hudsonriver.org

  • Robert Pirani
  • Senior Director for Engagement
    and Policy/ Program Director
  • NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program
    rob@hudsonriver.org
  • Elizabeth Balladares
  • HEP Community Stewardship Manager/Lower Passaic Urban Waters Ambassador
  • NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program
    eballadares@hudsonriver.org

Board of Directors


  • Robert W. Elliott
  • Chairman
  • Hudson River Foundation
    Former Deputy Secretary, NYS Department of State
  • Christopher J. Daggett
  • Chair, Policy Committee NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program
    Former Region 2 Administrator, USEPA
    Former Commissioner, NJDEP
    Former Pres. & CEO, Dodge Fdn.
  • Margaretta A. Downey
  • Chair, Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council
    Former Executive Editor, Poughkeepsie Journal
  • Charles J. Hamilton Jr.
  • Senior Counsel
  • Windels Marx
  • Elizabeth Blair
  • Chair, NERRS Science Collaborative Advisory Board
    Former Manager, Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
  • Kathleen Weathers, Ph.D.
  • Senior Scientist
  • Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
  • Gene E. Likens, Ph.D.
  • Distinguished Senior Scientist
  • Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
  • Elizabeth Lowe
  • Private Consultant
  • Organizational Management & Development Support
  • William Matuszeski
  • Former Director
  • Chesapeake Bay Program
  • S. Mackintosh Pulsifer
  • Former Vice Chairman & Chief Investment Officer
  • Fiduciary Trust Company International
  • Anita R. Nager
  • Philanthropic Advisor
  • Ernest J. Tollerson III
  • Chair
  • Riverkeeper's Board of Directors
    Board member, Environmental Advocates of New York
    Board member, Environmental Grantmakers Association; and
    Member of the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC3)
  • Jonathan G. Hatch
  • Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager
  • Fiduciary Trust Company International
  • Deborah A. Mans
  • Mayor, Glen Ridge, NJ
    Former Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey DEP
    Former Baykeeper and Executive Director, NY/NJ Baykeeper
    Partner, TWENTYTWENTY public affairs, LLC.

Honorary Director


  • Edward A. Ames
  • Chairman Emeritus
  • Hudson River Foundation
    Former Trustee, Mary Flagler Charitable Trust
Hudson River Foundation