Habitat & Biodiversity Program for the Hudson River Estuary
Watershed Conserving the Plants, Animals and Habitats of the
River Basin Pink lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) is a native
wild orchid of acidic woodlands. The landscape surrounding the
Hudson River Estuary boasts remarkable diversity and splendor.
Biological diversity, or "biodiversity" is the wide array of
plants, animals, and habitats found in the Hudson Valley and the
world. Biodiversity also refers to the complex interactions
between living things and their environment. Biodiversity is
important to us all, because it provides the ecological services
on which we depend. Healthy, naturally vegetated areas clean our
drinking water, ensure our water supply, provide pollinators for
crops, and buffer and reduce storm damage. These services are
often provided by nature's 'green infrastructure' at a lower
cost than built systems. If we conserve biodiversity, we are
less likely to suffer disruptions of these essential services as
our climate continues