BACKYARD MATTERS: Scenic Hudson Taps National Advocate Sean Eldridge for Public Policy Role

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Garrison resident Sean Eldridge is the newest member of Scenic Hudson's Public Policy Committee. Sean is a seasoned organizer and advocate, who will bring valuable experience to our work. As Political Director of Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage equality nationwide, Sean was instrumental in the recent passage of marriage equality in New York. And previously, as a youth organizer for Barack Obama, Sean was an early architect of the presidential campaign's national student movement.

Sean Eldridge

Sean is currently a Senior Advisor at Freedom to Marry, and he and his partner, Chris Hughes, support progressive organizations across the country. Together they founded the Telos Foundation in 2011. Sean also serves on the Board of Directors of GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders), a leading legal organization dedicated to LGBT rights.

The Public Policy Committee is comprised of Scenic Hudson board members and outside experts who guide our role in shaping state and federal policy that affects the Hudson Valley and the environment beyond the region. Since its inception almost 50 years ago in the famed Storm King case — credited with launching the modern environmental movement — Scenic Hudson has been on the cutting edge of national and regional policy. Often involved in shaping legislation with both regional and national implications, Scenic Hudson works to ensure environmental and economic interests are properly balanced in lawmaking and budgetary deliberations. The committee's expertise has helped secure state and federal funding for our collaborative campaign to conserve critical lands in the Valley, promote creation of waterfront parks that connect people with the Hudson River and support the region's $4.7 billion tourism industry, restore contaminated waterfronts for productive use, and preserve working farmland — foundation of the New York City and regional foodshed.

We're very excited to be working with Sean on our public policy efforts. His political experience, as well as his deep knowledge of online organizing, will be valuable assets. Sean will help us ensure that Scenic Hudson's followers are fully informed about important regional issues and can take meaningful actions as partners in our work to create a healthy, economically prosperous Hudson Valley.