Harney & Sons Fine Teas continues support for Scenic Hudson

MILLERTON — Harney & Sons Fine Teas has committed to continuing its generous financial support of Scenic Hudson through the Harney & Sons Tea 1% for the Planet program. The company has supported Scenic Hudson’s work since 2002, and its latest contribution is $50,000.The company launched its 1% for the Planet program nearly a decade ago, seeing it as an opportunity to create positive environmental change in the places where Harney & Sons operates — between the Hudson and Housatonic rivers — and across the world. As a part of the program, the company agrees to directly donate one percent of total sales to environmental organizations of their choosing. To date, Harney & Sons has donated more than $1.5 million to environmental groups — including Scenic Hudson. Other organizations supported in this way by the company include the Housatonic Valley Association, Central Park Conservancy, Clean Air-Cool Planet and Conservation International-China.The donation to Scenic Hudson helps the organization provide a network of free public parks throughout the Hudson Valley, preserve and enhance family farms, shape environmentally and economically vibrant waterfronts and combat threats to the region’s scenic beauty, water and air. These initiatives also support the Hudson Valley’s $4.75 billion tourism economy and $800 million agricultural economy.“Harney & Sons Fine Teas is an important Hudson Valley business and world-class leader in providing fine tea products. Beyond that, the family is dedicated to helping bring our communities health and prosperity and fostering opportunities for people to enjoy the natural treasures and outdoor experiences our area offers. We are grateful for their vision, generosity and friendship,” said Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan.Harney & Sons Vice President Paul Harney said, “Our family is committed to supporting Hudson Valley organizations that contribute to the health of the area and provide opportunities for people to enjoy beauty and nature here. Scenic Hudson is a powerhouse in creating parks, preserving working farms and protecting the region’s environment and scenic splendor. The group’s work reaches from New York City to the Capital Region. We are proud to support their great efforts.” In 2012, Scenic Hudson dedicated the main pavilion at its popular Poets’ Walk Park in Red Hook in honor the Harney family for their longtime support of Scenic Hudson’s mission. About Scenic HudsonScenic 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, it is credited with saving fabled Storm King Mountain from a destructive industrial project and launching the modern grass-roots environmental movement. Today with more than 25,000 ardent supporters, it is the largest environmental group focused on the Hudson River Valley. Its 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. To date Scenic Hudson has created or enhanced more than 65 parks, preserves and historic sites up and down the Hudson River and conserved over 35,000 acres. To learn more go to www.scenichudson.org.Jay Burgess is director of communications for Scenic Hudson.