Selected Awards—over the years
Some of these awards go way back, and we include them to highlight the many organizations dedicated to conserving our natural heritage around the region.
Woodstock Land Conservancy Honors Erik Kiviat and Gretchen Stevens - 2024
Woodstock Land Conservancy awarded Erik Kiviat and Gretchen Stevens the 2024 William R. Ginsberg Stewardship Award from the Woodstock Land Conservancy at their annual Vernal Fling held 11th May. As described by Woodstock Land Conservancy’s Board Chair Kevin Smith, this is an annual award meant to recognize those who promote the values of the award’s namesake, who was “a regional, statewide and national pioneer in environmental protection, environmental law and conservation law.”
NY Flora Association Honors Gretchen Stevens - August 2023
The New York Flora Association (NYFA) awarded their annual Plant Conservationist Award to Gretchen Stevens, a richly deserved honor. From the NYFA page: “Each Year, the New York Flora Association seeks to recognize an individual or organization/group of individuals that has worked to conserve the native flora of New York. This Native Plant Conservationist Award is presented at our Annual Meeting, and we rely on our members to help us select the recipient each year.”
Hudson River Watershed Alliance Honors Hudsonia’s Biodiversity Resources Center - May 2023
Hudsonia Ltd’s Biodiversity Resource Center, led by Gretchen Stevens, was nominated for a Hudson River Watershed Alliance Wavemaker Award. This award was presented at the Alliance’s annual WaveMaker Awards Benefit in May 2023. From the Hudson River Watershed Alliance’s website: “The WaveMaker Awards Benefit is an opportunity to celebrate the vast network of rivers and streams that flow to the Hudson River, and the communities that work to protect them. These rivers, streams, and communities are all part of the Hudson River watershed.”
Greene County Planning Board Honors Hudsonia, Greene Land Trust, & Cornell Cooperative Extension–December 2019
The Greene Land Trust, Cornell Coop Ext, and Hudsonia were presented with the Ellen Rettus Planning Achievement Award for Environmental Preservation, Recreation and Open Space for their work in creating the Greene County Natural Resource Inventory.
From the Greene County Government page: ”Ellen Rettus was a long term County Planning Board member who served for several years as Chairperson of the Greene County Planning Board and Chairperson of the Town of Durham Planning Board. As Chairperson of these boards, Ellen worked to promote sound and thoughtful planning throughout Greene County. The awards recognize outstanding planning, community and economic development activities that have taken place in Greene and the individuals and organizations that contribute to their realization. The awards also recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through their service to Greene County and its communities.”
Hudson River Environmental Society Honors Gretchen Stevens– Nov 2019
Gretchen was honored by the Hudson River Environmental Society with the Outstanding Educator Award. Over the years, Gretchen has worked with numerous municipal agencies and land trusts throughout the Hudson Valley region. She has helped to lead workshops, seminars, and field trips to share her knowledge of this regions many natural resources.
New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program Honor Hudsonia – 2017
In recognition of decades of ecological research and conservation education, Hudsonia received a Conservation Achievement Award for the Hudson River and Harbor Estuary at the 30th anniversary celebration of the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, a collaborative effort of the NYSDEC, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Hudson River Foundation, and other entities to improve the health of the estuary and the harbor.
Hudson River Environmental Society Honors Bob Schmidt – Oct 2017
Hudsonia co-founder and intrepid fish biologist and aquatic ecologist, Bob was recognized by the Hudson River EnvironmentalSociety with their Outstanding Environmental Researcher Award in October 2017. In his long career Bob has studied the ecology and natural history of rural and urban stream systems of the Hudson River, the Mohawk River, and waterways of New England and the Neotropics, and has mentored numerous students in the field of natural science.
Dutchess County Ducks Unlimited Honors Gretchen Stevens – September 2017
With twenty-seven years at Hudsonia, Gretchen was honored by Dutchess County Ducks Unlimited with their Chapter’s Wetlands Conservation Award. Gretchen has directed Hudsonia’s Biodiversity Resources Center since its inception, and is co-author of the Biodiversity Assessment Manual for the Hudson River Estuary Corridor. In addition to conducting numerous field studies throughout the Hudson Valley, she has instructed hundreds of members of Hudson Valley municipal agencies, the staff of land trusts, and others engaged in comprehensive planning, land assessments, environmental reviews, and regulatory decisions in techniques for identifying and protecting biological and water resources. The award especially noted her work in the watershed of the Great Swamp, one of the largest freshwater wetlands in New York State.
Bard College Honors Erik Kiviat – May 2016
Hudsonia’s executive director Erik Kiviat received the John and Samuel Bard Award in Medicine and Science from the Board of Trustees of Bard College and the Board of Governors of the Bard-St. Stephen’s Alumni/ae Association. The award is named for the two 18th-century physicians, father and son, whose descendant, John Bard, founded the college, and it honors “scientists whose achievements demonstrate the breadth of concern and depth of commitment that characterized these pioneer physicians.”
Earlier awards given to Hudsonia or our scientists:
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Hudson Valley Vision Award 2018
John and Samuel Bard Award in Medicine and Science 2016
Project Facilitation Award presented to Blanding’s Turtle Habitat Creation, 1997, from The Society For Ecological Restoration
Environmental Consortium Great Work Award in honor of Thomas Berry 2014
Coastal America Spirit Award, New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium Habitat Initiative, 2006
Nominations for National Wetlands Award 2002, 2009- 2011
Good Land Award, Winnakee Land Trust, 1999, 2008
Certificate of Appreciation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 2000
Project Facilitation Award, Society for Ecological Restoration, 1997
Marion Thompson Fuller Brown Conservation Award, Garden Clubs of America, 1996
Environmental Award, Museum of the Hudson Highlands, 1996
Award for Environmental Sensitivity, Mohonk Consultations on the Earth's Environment, 1995
Researcher of the Year Award, Hudson River Environmental Society, 1994
Service Award, Dutchess County Environmental Management Council, 1982.