The WaveMaker Awards Benefit is next week! We hope you'll join us at Live at The Falcon in celebration of the 2025 Watershed WaveMaker awardees. The event will be on Wednesday, June 11 from 6-8:30 pm. More information and tickets: https://hudsonwatershed.org/wavemaker/ Each year, the Hudson River Watershed Alliance recognizes WaveMaker awardees from a variety of backgrounds to represent the diversity of successful watershed work in the region. This year, we’re honoring the work of: Beth Roessler from the Hudson River Estuary Program (top left): in recognition of Beth's leadership of the Trees for Tribs program to protect and restore healthy vegetated buffers along rivers and streams. Since 2011, Beth has led planting projects at 322 sites, working with almost 8,000 local volunteers to plant over 56,700 trees, shrubs, and live stakes along rivers and streams throughout the Hudson River estuary watershed. 🌳 John Gebhards from the Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance (top right): in recognition of John's 30+ years of leadership to protect open space and clean water in Orange County and the Quassaick Creek watershed. As John steps down from his long-time role as Executive Director of the Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance, we recognize the significant impact that he has had, both locally and regionally. 💧 Groundwork Hudson Valley from Yonkers (bottom left): in recognition of Groundwork Hudson Valley's inspiring, community-centered work across all program areas, including improving the Saw Mill River watershed, supporting climate and flood resilience in Yonkers, developing youth leadership and career opportunities, and more. 🌱 Kate Meierdiercks from Siena College (bottom right): in recognition of Kate's collaborative work to improve watershed science and coordination across the region, provide valuable opportunities for students, as well as her leadership as an outgoing Hudson River Watershed Alliance board member after over 9 years of volunteer service. 🗺️ Congratulations to the 2025 WaveMakers! 👏 (fb)

Join us for our next breakfast webinar on Wednesday, June 18 at 8:30 am! Dr. Michael Finewood, Chair and Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University, will present on research findings on the importance of capacity-building in watershed groups. Insights from this research have also been published in a new article in the academic journal "Environmental Management." Register for the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h5GIMvgWRvSq8H7mcEw-gQ While watershed groups are generally in need of technical resources, participation, and funding, the research suggests capacity (such as internal structure, strategic planning, and leadership) is most important for successful and sustainable groups. Therefore, support for capacity is more likely to help sustain groups and their long-term beneficial impact. Dr. Finewood will also share how the Hudson River Watershed Alliance and partners are developing programs to directly support local watershed groups, like the Pocantico River Watershed Alliance, in meeting these needs. This program is supported by funding from the Hudson River Estuary Program, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, with support from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, in cooperation with New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC). Photo: Pace University students and faculty studying the health of trails on the banks of the Pocantico River, courtesy of Pace University. (fb)