Duane joined Scenic Hudson in 2021, bringing a strategic approach to conservation in cities that is rooted in urban design, natural history, land use planning, and environmental justice. Under his leadership, the River Cities Program advances community-based conservation projects that enhance urban ecosystems and connect people with nature in Kingston, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie. This work manifests through open space planning, park restoration, and public space activation. 

Duane’s background includes cohousing development, new farmer education, graphic design, and grassroots activism. He is interested in how participatory design and community science contribute to social and ecological wellbeing in cities. 

Duane holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado and a M.S. in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute. He is from the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado and lives in Kingston, N.Y.