Agenda

8:30 – 9:30 Check in and Networking (Coffee and Light Breakfast Provided)

9:30 – 9:45 Welcome: Mike Rubbo, Pace University and Ryan Palmer, Sarah Lawrence College

9:45 – 10:30 How’s the Water in Lower Hudson Tributaries? Jen Epstein, Riverkeeper What citizen data is gathered and analyzed? What are the results? What are some outstanding questions? With Q&A.

10:30 – 12:00 Panel: Progress, Impediments and Opportunities in Our Watersheds Sparkill Creek and Bronx, Pocantico and Saw Mill River organizations discuss past successes and notable challenges and opportunities they hope to address in 2018. Panel includes:

Jan Blaire, Pocantico River Watershed Alliance

Larry Vail, Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance

Michelle Luebke, Bronx River Alliance

Ann-Marie Mitroff, Saw Mill River Coalition

Moderator: Maureen Cunningham, Hudson River Watershed Alliance

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch (Provided)

1:00 – 2:30 Panel: Regional Resources and Opportunities

County, state and non-profit entities provide updates on relevant initiatives that may address identified opportunities and challenges.

Introductory Presentation:

Emily Vail, NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program: Watershed Planning Basics

Panel includes:

Dave Kvinge, Westchester County Planning: County Update

Jen Zunino-Smith, Cornell Cooperative Extension Rockland County*

Tracy Brown, Save the Sound: Launching a Sustainable Westchester Water Initiative*  

Ann Marie Mitroff, Groundwork USA: The Urban Waters Learning Network

Moderator: Mike Finewood, Pace University

2:30 – 3:15 Breakout Sessions: “Attendees’ Choice”

This session will be based on your choice for discussion and conversation. Was there some topic that you really wanted to learn about or talk about today? Is there a challenge you are facing in your watershed that you want to get input on from this group? You have a blank index card in your packet. Please write one question or topic that you thought of in answering these questions and hand it in. We will review them to put them into topics and set the breakout sessions.

3:15 – 3:30 Feedback and Burning Questions