Project Overview

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The Town of Poughkeepsie has undertaken an effort to develop a Town-wide Natural Resources Inventory and Open Space Plan.

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This project is funded, in part, through a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).

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What is an Open Space Plan?

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An Open Space Plan establishes a vision for a Town-wide network of open spaces. The plan will enable the Town to identify priorities for natural resource protection and to explore, and ultimately select, community-supported tools and techniques for conserving these resources. This work will set the stage for future implementation of conservation projects by creating community consensus about conservation goals and priorities and about appropriate methods (such as regulations, incentives, and perhaps public funding) for completing such projects.

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What is a Natural Resources Inventory?

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As part of this effort, the Town will undertake a Natural Resources  Inventory to identify environmental resources and constraints within the Town. This includes water resources, wildlife habitats, flood zones, agricultural lands and more. The identification of these key features will help to inform the Open Space Plan.

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NRI/Open Space Plan Steering Committee 

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The NRI/Open Space Plan Steering Committee was appointed by the Town Board to undertake this process. The Steering Committee is made up of members from the Conservation Advisory Commission (CAC), Town Board, and Planning Board, and is supported by Town staff:

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• Pam Kingsley, CAC Chair

• Susan Karnes Hecht, CAC

• Lorraine Mirabella, CAC

• Margaret Slomin, CAC

• Maribeth Rubenstein, CAC

• Jessica Lopez, Town Board

• Bob Nasser, Planning Board

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Town Staff:

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• Michael Welti, AICP, Director of Municipal Development

• Kristen Taylor, AICP, Town Planning

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