Sustainable Hudson Valley works by connecting people with knowledge and each other to scale up sustainable energy, infrastructure, and economic solutions.  We differ from planning or development consulting groups in our ability to create nontraditional collaborations and conversations.  We have brought new ideas and relationships to dozens of communities through our conferences, forums, hands-on projects, strategic retreats and special events such as World Cafe gatherings to engage communities in creating their futures through "conversations that matter."

We organized the first regional summit for sustainable community leaders throughout the Valley; led the first strategic plan for a "local-first" economy in northern Dutchess County; organized the first directory of building materials and products to help the region's construction industry go green; and are now developing a "knowledge network" linking experts with communities to support collaborative problem-solving.

We identify and inspire the adoption of environmentally advanced
solutions that meet human needs and open up markets for innovative new
businesses here in the Valley, linking environmental virtue with
economic opportunity. In a given community, this might mean building
rain gardens and green roofs along Main Street to cool buildings and
save water... drawing people out of their cars and onto their
bicycles... or helping historic building owners to make deep cuts in
their energy use, neighborhood by neighborhood. We believe that a
“green collar” economy is emerging, but will only scale up and meet the
need when people like ourselves choose resource saving products and
services in our everyday lives.

Our work comes home in the community where we're based, Kingston, with the Green Trail Alliance. This community development partnership is revitalizing the Broadway corridor and supporting the city’s commitment as a Climate Smart Community.

Download 2008 highlights here (PDF)