The Hudson River Estuary Program, a program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), released an updated Action Agenda for 2026-2030 to serve as a conservation and restoration blueprint to guide the work of the Estuary Program and its partners. The five-year plan builds on the successes of the previous Action Agenda while incorporating new scientific findings and addressing emerging challenges.

“The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2026-2030 represents New York’s commitment to protecting the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed for present and future generations,” said Amanda Lefton, commissioner of the NYSDEC. “It establishes goals that address complex environmental challenges, while ensuring that communities throughout the Hudson Valley have clean water, resilient shorelines, and equitable access to the river. We are grateful to our many partners and stakeholders for providing input on this plan.”

The plan is organized around eight priority goals within three broad categories that focus on creating a strong and vibrant ecosystem that benefits both nature and people. The “vital river ecosystem” category outlines sustainable estuarine fisheries, robust river habitats, and clean Hudson River water goals. Secondly, the “thriving and resilient watershed” encompasses goals surrounding healthy tributaries, resilient communities, and conserved natural areas that support habitat connectivity. The final category, “living well with nature,” covers goals for an informed and engaged public as well as an accessible Hudson River for people of all ages and abilities.

Each goal is broken down into a background summary; key trends, challenges and opportunities; a list of successes from the 2021-2025 Action Agenda; targeted measures of success for this plan; and detailed strategies and actions. The Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, both NEIWPCC program partners, will work to implement the new plan alongside additional partners.

The Hudson River Estuary Program is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) in partnership with Cornell University and NEIWPCC.

Learn more about the Hudson River Estuary Program.