Funds go toward Groundwork Hudson Valley’s habitat restoration, pollution reduction, and climate resilience projects.
Riverkeeper is proud to announce the allocation of $235,000 to Groundwork Hudson Valley, secured through their recent successful Clean Water Act lawsuit brought by attorneys at their partner firm Super Law Group.
The funds will be paid directly to a leading nonprofit dedicated to environmental restoration and community empowerment, Groundwork Hudson Valley, to help the environment rebound and flourish following the pollution that spurred the initial lawsuit.
“Riverkeeper’s legal efforts don’t just stop pollution — they help fuel restoration. By strategically directing funds to impactful environmental initiatives, we’re ensuring that we’re not only holding violators accountable but also fostering a healthier future for our communities and ecosystems,” said Tracy Brown, President of Riverkeeper. “Riverkeeper is thrilled to have negotiated this funding and committed it to supporting Groundwork Hudson Valley’s vital work.”
This afternoon, the “Environmental Benefit Project” funding was used to plant nearly 400 trees from 50 different species at Barack Obama School for Social Justice, a high school in Yonkers, with elected officials, environmental leaders, including Riverkeeper President Tracy Brown, and student volunteers — all getting their hands dirty. This “microforest” will help capture stormwater runoff, provide cooling benefits for students, and improve water quality in the region.
Microforest built by GWHV at the Obama School in Yonkers
The funding will also support Groundwork Hudson Valley’s seven active floodplain restoration sites along the Saw Mill River. These projects include removing vegetation, planting native shoreline vegetation, and ensuring continued habitat restoration success through ongoing upkeep.
“Thanks to Riverkeeper’s legal actions, these projects will make a lasting difference for both the environment and our community,” said Oded Holzinger, Executive Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley. “We are thrilled to be able to expand our work restoring habitat, organizing community cleanups, capturing stormwater before it can pollute waterways, and working with local elected officials to reduce combined sewer overflows and strengthen climate resilience.”
Additionally, Groundwork Hudson Valley will be conducting regular community river cleanups along the Saw Mill River and working with municipal stakeholders and community members from the Saw Mill River Watershed to develop designs and nature-based projects to restore the floodplain, mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and support local habitat.
They will also work with municipal partners and elected officials in Yonkers to promote the implementation of green stormwater infrastructure, particularly in West Yonkers, where sewer and stormwater systems are combined, by developing vulnerability assessments, designs, and demonstration projects. Green infrastructure will capture rainwater, reducing pressure on the local drainage system and combined sewer overflow events.
Learn more at groundworkhv.org.
