Purpose of Program: Four hundred years after Henry Hudson, can we paint a clear picture of the ecological health of the Hudson River and its tributaries? This conference will summarize what we know about current conditions and trends in the ecological integrity of the region's running waters, and examine key policy and management issues related to those trends. It will also explore the question of which environmental indicators best communicate ecosystem health for environmental policy-makers, managers and the general public. The conference program is intended to promote a regional discussion on development of a periodic "vital signs report" on the waters of the Hudson River Watershed.

Tuesday, September 29

Trends in Ecologically Significant Flows • Sediment Budgeting and Management • Physical Habitat: Shallow and Intertidal Wetlands • How Does the Hudson Compare to other Estuaries? • What's in Our Water Now? A Survey of Available Water Quality Data • Groundwater: Recharge, Withdrawals, and Land Cover • Engaging stakeholders in environmental monitoring • Regional Planning for Water Use • Hudson Valley Wetlands: Status and Trends • Reporting on the Rest of the Hudson River Watershed

Wednesday, September 30

Hudson River Action Agenda and Ecological Health • NYS' Biomonitoring Efforts in the Hudson River watershed: Status and Trends • Alien Fish Introductions in the Hudson River Watershed: A Call for Biocriteria • Aquatic Macrophytes • Riparian Protection and Restoration: Policy Tools • Longitudinal Connectivity in the Tributaries • Riparian Ecosystem Influence on Tributary Health: What are the Key Indicators? • Selecting Ecosystem Indicators to Influence Policy • Commercial Fisheries: Status and Trends • Non-commercial fisheries: Status and Trends • Establishing Baselines of Ecological Health • Communicating Ecological Vital Signs to Decision-Makers and the Public

Registration

Fee includes continental breakfast, gourmet lunch, conference materials and admission to the library and museum at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library and Home for the day(s) of the Conference.

*Refunds for cancellations will be made minus a 10% processing fee up to 2 business days before the conference. Requests for cancellations and refunds should be made to Stephen prior to 25 September.

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Practical Information

Registration: Registration opens on August 7, 2009.

Registration Fee: Early Bird Registration is available until September 18, 2009. See above for conference registration costs and deadlines. Fee includes continental breakfast, gourmet lunch, conference materials and admission to the Library and Museum at the Henry A. Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Library, Museum and Home for the day(s) of the Conference.

Conference Schedule: Both days of the Conference will begin at 9:00 am and conclude at 4:45 pm. Registration check in begins at 8:00 am

Program Details: final agenda will be available online mid-August at www.hudsonwatershed.org/conference2009.

Travel & Parking: Parking at the Wallace Center is limited. For carpool opportunities, please contact Katy Dunlap. For directions see www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/direct27.html

Questions? For more information, please contact Katy Dunlap, HRWA Director or Mark Vian, HRES Program Chair.

Co-sponsoring organizations and agencies include Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, U.S. Geological Survey, Hudson River Estuary Program of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Estuary Training Program of the NYSDEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Clearwater, Scenic Hudson, The Nature Conservancy, Hudson Basin River Watch, Hudsonia Ltd., National Park Service, and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.