Renowned Scientist to Help Scenic Hudson Create Healthier Waterfronts along Hudson

HUDSON VALLEY -- Amid dwindling open space and a sharp rise in large-scale residential projects being proposed along the Hudson River, Dr. Michael W. Klemens, a widely respected conservation biologist noted for bridging the gap between nature and community planning, has joined Scenic Hudson. As human development increasingly creates conflicts with wildlife and natural systems -- most notably reflected through shrinking ecological diversity and quickening global climate change -- Scenic Hudson said the expertise of a research scientist is crucial.

Conservation Biologist Michael W. KlemensSeth Martel

Among Dr. Klemens' chief duties will be to help Scenic Hudson urge developers to protect and enhance existing habitats and to identify opportunities for restoring degraded areas. He will help ensure that Scenic Hudson's public parks up and down the Hudson River are meeting high standards for land management. Dr. Klemens also will increase Scenic Hudson's participation in regional efforts to protect and restore biodiversity and respond to climate change.

"Sound ecological science has become a must for our work in helping communities and people enhance their connections with the Hudson River," said Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson. "There's no doubt that Dr. Klemens' unique skills and deep practical experience will strengthen every facet of Scenic Hudson's mission to protect the Hudson River and its magnificent landscape as a national treasure and vital public resource."

A member of the scientific staff of the American Museum of Natural History since 1979, Dr. Klemens' pioneering approach to balancing the needs of ecological and human communities has led to interest in his work internationally. Having authored numerous publications, including the recent book Nature in Fragments: The Legacy of Sprawl, Dr. Klemens holds a doctorate in conservation biology and ecology from the University of Kent, in the United Kingdom. He earned his master's degree in zoology and bachelor's degree in education from the University of Connecticut.

Discovering that tangible conservation results require scientific research conducted within a social, political and economic context, Dr. Klemens was motivated to establish the Wildlife Conservation Society's Metropolitan Conservation Alliance (MCA) in 1997. Through the MCA he has translated biological data and conservation concepts into planning tools that achieve multi-town conservation compacts. The MCA has created five such compacts with communities in New York and Connecticut and provided technical assistance and outreach to more than 90 municipalities in the Hudson Valley and beyond. He is the recipient of the 2007 Achievement Award from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association for "integrating complex ecological systems into regulatory land-use decision-making.

"The valley is experiencing tremendous development pressures, and there's no other group regionally that is taking on saving land while fighting inappropriate, poorly planned development with both the energy and effectiveness of Scenic Hudson," said Dr. Klemens. "My work is all about protecting the environment by improving the capacity of local land-use decision-makers to use scientific information, which in turn creates more resilient patterns of development. I'm excited about what we can accomplish together to foster healthy growth within established city and town centers, while conserving the magnificent natural resources that surround them."

Scenic Hudson works to protect and restore the Hudson River and its majestic landscape as an irreplaceable national treasure and a vital resource for residents and visitors. A crusader for the valley since 1963, we are credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 10,000 ardent supporters, we are the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Our team of experts combines land acquisition, support for agriculture, citizen-based advocacy and sophisticated planning tools to create environmentally healthy communities, champion smart economic growth, open up riverfronts to the public and preserve the valley's inspiring beauty and natural resources. www.scenichudson.org

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