Hudson RiverNet
News from the Hudson River Estuary Program

Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program

Do you fish for striped bass in the Hudson River?

You can share your fishing trip information and help biologists understand and manage our striped bass fishery. Here’s how it works: Fill out a logbook provided by us whenever you fish on the Hudson River (by boat or shore). Record general location, time, gear used, what you caught (or if you didn’t catch anything), and return the logbook when you are done fishing. You’ll receive an annual newsletter summarizing the information in addition to the latest news regarding regulations and the river.

Whether you catch-and-release or take home a keeper, you can be part of the Hudson River Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program. Join today by contacting: Jessica Best at jessica.best@dec.ny.gov or 845-256-3009.

Help DEC Count Eels: Hudson River Estuary Eel Research Project

We are seeking volunteers to help study eels in streams of the Hudson River estuary!

Volunteers check special cone-shaped nets for tiny see-through "glass eels" as they enter the freshwater streams of the Hudson River estuary from their spawning grounds more than 1,000 miles away in the Atlantic Ocean. The young eels are counted, weighed, and released upstream, and environmental conditions are recorded.

The Eel Project takes place at 15 different sites from Richmond Creek in Staten Island to the Poestenkill in Troy. DEC provides all training and gear. Learn more about community science and eel research or contact Aidan Mabey at aidan.mabey@dec.ny.gov.

Do you own or manage land along a stream?

You can apply for free native plants to help reduce erosion and improve habitat along your stream! Choose one of these great options for receiving plants:

Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs

This program offers free native trees and shrubs along with staff assistance for larger plantings along the tributary streams in the Hudson River Estuary watershed. Our staff can help you with a planting plan and work with your volunteers.

Applicants must complete an application, and if the project is selected, recruit volunteers for planting and maintain the site after the planting is complete. The application deadline for spring planting is March 1. We strongly encourage applying before the deadline, particularly if your site is large or you want to request specific plant species. Learn more about the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program or download an application from the DEC website. For more information contact Beth Roessler at HudsonEstuaryTFT@dec.ny.gov or (845) 256-2253.

Buffer in A Bag

DEC has launched a new Tribs Program initiative, "Buffer in a Bag" for small, "DIY" plantings. Qualifying applicants will receive a free bag of 25 or 50 bare-root trees and shrubs in the mail. To be eligible, sites must have at least 50 feet of a stream, river, or lake. Each bag comes with planting and maintenance guides and other information to help ensure the health of the trees and shrubs.

Visit DEC's website for more information about the Buffer in a Bag application process and requirements. A total of 350 bags will be available statewide for this first round of applications and recipients will be chosen on a first come, first served basis. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on April 3, 2019.

General questions about Buffer in a Bag may be directed to treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov or (518) 402-9405. For more information on the statewide Trees for Tribs Program visit DEC's website.