Biodiversity refers to all living things, both rare and common, the complex relationships between them, as well as their relationship to the environment. 

Urban Biodiversity  focuses on the impact of urbanization on biodiversity.  As more and more people live in cities, restoration, preservation and enhancement of biodiversity in urban areas become important

List of the 10 important Fish Species in the Peekskill Region of The Hudson River

1:  Atlantic Sturgeon

2:  Striped Bass

3:  American Shad

4:  White Perch

5:  Alewife

6:  Blueback Herring

7:  Bay Anchovy

8:  Atlantic Tomcod

9:  Hogchoker

10: Shortnose Sturgeon

Fish in Decline:

Despite 40 years of efforts to protect them, ten of the thirteen signature Hudson River fish remain in decline due to loss of habitat and spawning grounds, over fishing and ocean bycatch, low dissolved oxygen from sewage plant discharges and impingement, entrapment and thermal pollution from power plants.

Data from the Peekskill Rapid Stream Assessment Training conducted on June 7 and June 28, 2014

Vegetated species noted:

·         Ferns

·         Skunk Cabbage

·         Jewelweed

·         Raspweed

·         Solomon’s Seal

Aquatic Species Noted:

·         Small and Large Crayfish

·         Small fish/Minnows

·         Green and Leopard Frogs

·         Stoneflies

·         Caddisflies

·         Beetles

·         Dragonflies

·         Miscellaneous Fly Larvae

Data from the Invasive Species Walk conducted on July 26th

Invasive Species Noted:


·         Chinese Mystery Snail

·         Water Chestnut

Other Important Information:

Peekskill's 3 common Invertebrates

·         Blue crabs

·         Barnacles

·         Polycheate worms

Presence of Bald Eagles

Historically, wintering Bald Eagles have used Peekskill as a foraging and feeding ground

Occasional Sightings

Beavers haveoccasionally been spotted at Sprout Brook and Ansville Creek

 A pair of bufflehead Ducks were spotted during the Winter of 2015