Kevin M. Burke, Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley,
Co-Chair National Heritage Area,
J. Winthrop Aldrich, Acting Chairman Greenway Council, Acting Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Executive Director Greenway,
Director National Heritage Area
|
|
Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
|
|
Important Reminders
-
Greenway Planning, Greenway Trail, and Heritage Development Grant Applications are Due May 6, 2022. More details.
|
|
Governor Hochul Announces the Opening of the Albany Skyway
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of the transformative Albany Skyway, a new elevated park reconnecting downtown Albany to the Hudson River waterfront. The Skyway converted what had been an underutilized exit ramp from northbound Interstate 787 into an urban oasis that provides easy access to the Corning Riverfront Park and the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail - which is part of the Empire State Trail - boosting recreational opportunities and furthering tourism and economic activity in the Capital Region. The State Department of Transportation oversaw the project and, working in partnership with the City of Albany, took the lead in constructing the Skyway. The City of Albany will maintain the Skyway.
"The completion of the Albany Skyway is a game-changer for the city and the perfect example of a transformative infrastructure project that promotes equity and connectivity," Governor Hochul said. "Infrastructure can be more than just building roads and bridges - like the Skyway, it can be about improving quality of life and righting the wrongs of the past. With this ribbon-cutting we are reuniting divided communities, revitalizing Albany's beautiful waterfront, and recommitting to a transformative vision that is a skyway for the future of infrastructure in New York." Read the full press release.
|
|
Submit Your Ramble Event Now!
Photo by Suzy Allman.
|
|
Canalway Challenge Kicks Off Along New York’s Canals
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is inviting New Yorkers to take part in the Canalway Challenge in 2022 and enjoy the great outdoors along New York’s canals and Canalway Trails. Participants can choose a mileage goal of 15, 90, 180, or 360 miles. They then walk, run or cycle on the Canalway Trail or paddle on the NYS Canal System to achieve it. The Canalway Challenge is free and registration is open to individuals and teams. People can complete their miles in one big trip or many small ones.
The 1st Mile Challenge offers people with disabilities and their family and friends opportunities to recreate together and build more active lifestyles. There are numerous places along the canals and Canalway Trail that are accessible and several that offer adaptive bikes and kayaks.
This year’s Challenge runs through the end of October. Sign up now.
|
|
News From Our Partners at the Hudson River Estuary Program |
|
Important Reminders
-
Public Comment Period for Draft Disadvantaged Communities Criteria is July 7, 2022. Learn more.
|
|
Next Steps in New York's Climate Leadership: The Draft Scoping Plan
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs, fosters a green economy, and focuses on climate justice. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 places New York on a path to achieving its mandate of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy use by 2030, and to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.
The Climate Action Council is responsible for developing the scoping plan to achieve the required reductions. The Council released its draft scoping plan on December 30, 2021, kicking off a public comment period that will extend to June 10, 2022. The Council must finalize the scoping plan by the end of 2022, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation must promulgate regulations to implement the final plan by 2024.
On Thursday, May 5th, Maureen Leddy will lead a webinar describing the statutory requirements, the process of developing the draft scoping plan, and opportunities to provide input to the final plan. The presentation will include an overview of the various strategies recommended by the Council to achieve the required greenhouse gas reductions, with a focus on strategies related to land use, and recommendations related to climate change adaptation for ecosystems. Register now.
|
|
Upcoming Events
*Please note that, while many heritage sites in the Hudson Valley have begun to reopen cautiously due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, some sites are still closed or have reduced hours. Please call the individual sites directly to inquire about their current status. New York State Parks remain open. While enjoying the outdoors, please follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19.
Download the Hudson River Train Tour App
Between New York City and Albany, a world of history, nature, and culture awaits you. And there’s no better way to experience it all than by riding a train through the Hudson Valley. With the new, free Hudson River Train Tour app, you’ll discover what’s out that train window…and beyond. Learn more.
Fred J. Johnston House Tour, Fred J. Johnston Museum, Kingston, NY
May 6-7: Tour this Federal style clapboard house built circa 1812 as the original residence of John Sudam (1782-1835), a prominent attorney, New York State Senator and Regent. Find out more.
I Love My Park Day, Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, Cold Spring, NY
May 7: Help make this Hudson River Coast Line the most pristine and welcoming in the lower Hudson Valley. by helping to pick up litter. More info.
I Love My Park Day, Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton, NY
May 7: The Park is stretching its legs, gearing up for another summer season, and could use your help! Read more.
I Love My Park Day, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Yorktown Heights, NY
May 7: In celebration of I Love My Park Day, you will be helping to build the AcePlace and Nature Trail at the park. Learn more.
I Love My Park Day, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
May 7: Join a day of stewardship and service at Olana to help make sure, Frederic Church's artist-designed landscape, is prepped, clean, and ready for another great year! More details.
11th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep (REGIONAL EVENT)
May 7: Join a shoreline cleanup, an invasive species removal project, or a tree-planting project at a local location from Brooklyn all the way to the Adirondacks. Read more.
Stargazing in the Preserve, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville, NY
May 9: Peer into the cosmos with Vinny Coulehan of the Rockland Astronomy Club. Find out more.
I BIRD NY: Woodcock Walk, Five Rivers Environmental Center, Delmar, NY
May 11: Join a lecture and walk focused on the American woodcock and its management at Five Rivers. More info.
Open Garden Days, Jay Heritage Center, Rye, NY
May 12: Stop by any time for docent-led tours of Jay Gardens or a stroll through on your own! Learn more.
Walkway at Night, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Poughkeepsie, NY
May 13: You are invited to enjoy amazing Hudson Valley views after dark from 212 feet above the Hudson River. Find out more.
Oakdale Rewilding Project, Oakdale Park, Hudson, NY
May 14: Join the second installment of the Oakdale Rewilding Project to help plant trees and shrubs. More details.
Volunteer in the Giving Garden, Sheldrake Environmental Center, Larchmont, NY
May 15: Join the center to plant a Pizza Garden with tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and more. Learn more.
Flower Moon Eclipse Gathering, Boscobel House & Gardens, Garrison, NY
May 15: Explore the science behind this celestial magic with Museum Educator, Lisa DiMarzo and discover a 19th-century magic lantern show of Stars, Moon, Planets, and the Cosmos. Read more.
Finding Less-Traveled Trails (WEBINAR)
May 18: Join experienced hiking/trail running guide and author of Circuit Hikes in Harriman Don Weise to discover trails less traveled. Find out more.
Weir Tour, Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, Ossining, NY
May 19: After a brief walk, descend into the Weir in Ossining and explore the original 1842 brick water tunnel and learn its history. Learn more.
1775: The First Year of the Revolution, Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, Stony Point, NY
May 21: Military reenactors and ladies from the 2nd NY Regiment will present a series of military drills, musket demonstrations, camp life, and artillery demonstrations throughout the day. Find out more.
Mayfest Farmers and Makers Market, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Highland, NY
May 21-22: The festival showcases a curated selection of the Hudson Valley’s finest producers at the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. Learn more.
Quarrying Tales: A Community Meditation and Storytelling Project, Opus 40, Saugerties, NY
May 21-22: There will be two community meditation and storytelling forums designed for the documenting of local narratives and histories based on the region’s quarrying heritage. More info.
Intro to Fly Fishing, Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary, Selkirk, NY
May 22: Members of the Clearwater Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be on-site to offer hands-on casting lessons, fly tying demonstrations, raffle prizes, and more. Read more.
Karner Blue Butterfly Walk, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Wilton, NY
May 25: On a guided walk through the meadows, learn about the Saratoga Sandplains ecosystem and the Karner Blue Butterfly. More details.
Harmonies on the Hudson- Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
May 26: Join Clermont for this outdoor concert with Jim Gaudet and the Railroad Boys. Find out more.
Guided Hike, Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site, Walloomsac, NY
May 27: Walk along Battle Loop trail on this one-mile hike over easy-to-moderate terrain. More info.
Colonial Candle Making, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, Fort Montgomery, NY
May 28: Learn about different types of candles and illumination from the Colonial time period. Read more.
Black Hands, Gray Lands, Green Spaces: Advocating for Urban Gardens, Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, NY
May 28: Join Karen Washington, co-founder of Black Urban Growers for a talk about her work in urban agriculture. Learn more.
Memorial Day Program: World War I and the End of the Gilded Age, Staatsburg State Historic Site, Staatsburg, NY
May 30: This tour chronicles how the Mills women and men participated in the war effort and explains how the extravagance of the Gilded Age era withered away in the cataclysm of the Great War. More info.
Little Explorers, John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Katonah, NY
May 31: Kids will explore a part of the property at John Jay Homestead and complete a take-home activity while learning and having fun. Find out more.
|
|
Heritage Spotlight: Bronck Museum, Greene County
The Bronck Museum features what may be the oldest surviving dwelling in upstate New York. In 1663, Pieter Bronck constructed a single-room stone structure, which was enlarged in 1738 by Bronck’s grandson. The 1738 enlargement features typical characteristics of Dutch architecture, including sloping dormers and parapet gables. The home and surrounding farm remained in the Bronck family for eight generations before being donated to the Greene County Historical Society. Today, rooms are decorated with 18th-century woodwork and feature many Bronck family pieces. Outbuildings include a 19th-century kitchen dependency and three barns (among them the state’s first 13-sided barn), as well as displays of agricultural tools, sleighs, and wheeled vehicles. Learn more.
|
|
Project Spotlight: HVRT Copake Falls to Hillsdale Early Trail Opening Project
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) received a Greenway Conservancy Trail Grant to help create a 1.5-mile section of trail from Copake Falls to Hillsdale in Columbia County. This project progressed in sections, starting with the clearing of the trail for an early opening to create excitement within the neighboring communities. With growing popularity the HVRTA raised enough matching funds to pave and add interpretation to the trail. While this section of the trail is a critical link to the larger HVRT it is currently cut off by a stream and state highway. With the support of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation the HVRTA has secured enough funds to construct an east to west bridge to fill the gap and connect this section of trail to the full HVRT sometime in 2022. Learn more about the HVRT.
|
|
Send Electronic Cards Instead Of Paper Ones on Mother's Day
Nearly 80 percent of people will give cards on Mother’s Day. Imagine all of that paper that gets read for one minute and then is tossed aside, probably to end up in a landfill. We can make a huge impact by cutting back on our paper use, including switching from paper to online cards for loved ones. Learn more.
|
|
Grant and Funding Opportunities
Hudson River Valley Greenway Community Grant Program
Matching grants are available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: May 6, 2022. More info.
Heritage Development Grants
This grant program offers funding for programming, interpretation, and marketing projects that support the mutual goals of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and applicants. Grants will typically range from $1,000 to $5,000. Grant program guidelines and applications are available on the HRVNHA's website. One notable departure for this round is that staff time is eligible to be reimbursed, but only if that staff time is for the direct development of programming or interpretation, as identified in the grant application. We will be accepting applications with a May 6, 2022 submittal deadline, particularly focused on creating virtual tours and programming. Please note, that there is a new budget form with the application packet. Applicants should not use an older version of the budget form.
Greenway Conservancy Trail Grant Program
This grant program is dedicated to funding recreational trail projects. Special consideration is given to projects that seek to implement the goals of the Greenway Trail Program. Applications are due May 6, 2022. More details.
National Heritage Area Sponsorships Available
The Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) will partner with various organizations to sponsor programs and events that reinforce the Heritage Area’s mission. While complimenting the mission of the Heritage Area, cultural, heritage, and recreational events deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to communities, and encourage local and regional partnerships. Sponsorships will have an additional focus on events promoting the 19th Amendment and/or Women's in History in the Hudson Valley for the year 2020. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the HRVNHA are eligible to apply. There is a new application and budget form that must be used and can be found on our website. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.
Apply to Host the 2022 Climate-adaptive Design Studio
Calling all Hudson riverfront communities: do you want help envisioning a thriving, climate resilient future for your waterfront? CaD is a collaboration between Cornell University Landscape Architecture Professor Josh Cerra and the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program. The semester-long studio links students in landscape architecture with Hudson Riverfront communities to explore design alternatives for thriving, climate-resilient waterfront areas. Community stakeholders take part throughout the studio semester to help inform the design process and support practical results. Letter of interest due on May 2, 2022. More info.
Legends & Lore® Marker Grant Program
Does your community have a great piece of folklore that should be shared? Legends & Lore is designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate legends and folklore as part of our heritage. Legends & Lore grant funding includes the full cost of a marker, pole, and shipping. Deadline: May 2, 2022. More details.
Tributary Restoration and Resiliency Grants
NYSDEC is offering funding to help communities in eastern New York watersheds improve water quality, increase flood resiliency, and conserve natural resources. The Tributary Restoration and Resiliency grants, supported by the State's Environmental Protection Fund, will fund projects in the Hudson River Estuary, Jamaica Bay, Long Island Sound, Peconic Estuary, and South Shore Estuary Reserve watersheds. Deadline: May 4, 2022. Read more.
Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts Grant Program
A total of $1.35 million in grant funding is available for eligible, accredited land trusts to purchase conservation easements on forested land for the purpose of protecting these lands from future development. The goal of the grant program is to increase the pace of forest land conservation to keep forests as forests and combat climate change. Deadline: May 16, 2022. More info.
National Endowment for the Humanities Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
The purpose of the program is to strengthen the institutional base of the humanities by enabling infrastructure development and capacity building. Awards of federal matching funds aim to help institutions secure long-term support for their core activities and expand efforts to preserve and create access to outstanding humanities materials. Deadline: May 17, 2022. Learn more.
National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program
The Mega Program will support large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. Deadline: May 23, 2022. Find out more.
The Rural Surface Transportation Grant
The Rural Program will support projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life. Deadline: May 23, 2022. More details.
The INFRA Grants Program
The INFRA Program awards competitive grants for multimodal freight and highway projects of national or regional significance to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of freight and people in and across rural and urban areas. Deadline: May 23, 2022. Learn more.
Hudson River Estuary Access Grants
Approximately $300,000 is available for projects to improve resiliency to flooding and sea-level rise and improve accessibility for people with disabilities at sites for boating, fishing, swimming, and/or wildlife-dependent recreation along the shores of the Hudson River Estuary, including the tidal portion of its tributaries. This funding may be used to develop plans or designs or purchase equipment, and/or support the construction of physical improvements. Deadline: June 1, 2022. More details.
Hudson River Education Grants
Approximately $240,000 is available to support projects to enhance education about the estuary along the tidal waters of the Hudson and to make opportunities to learn about the Hudson River Estuary more accessible. Funding may be used to design, equip, and/or construct educational facilities, as well as improve programs, materials, and visitor experiences. Funding may also be used to deliver environmental science and conservation education programs to support a paid environmental science research program for high school students, college students, and young adults focused on the Hudson River Estuary ecosystem. The goal is to provide an opportunity for people that may have barriers to otherwise accessing intensive research opportunities and help develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Deadline: June 1, 2022. More info.
Hudson River Estuary Local Stewardship Planning Grants
Approximately $600,000 is available for four categories of local projects and programs to support planning for:
- Creating climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, and strategies for waterfront communities in the Hudson River estuary watershed to adapt to climate risks like flooding, sea-level rise, heat, and drought, including using natural and nature-based solutions and considering social equity;
- Engineering plans/designs to make water infrastructure more resilient to flooding and/or sea-level rise;
- Planning for conservation of natural resources by creating a natural resources inventory, open space inventory/index, open space plan, conservation overlay zone, open space funding feasibility study, or connectivity plan; and
- Water quality monitoring, watershed characterization, and water quality improvement planning and design.
Major Collaborative Archival Initiatives
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) of the National Archives supports projects that promote access to America's historical records to encourage understanding of our democracy, history, and culture. Deadline: June 8, 2022. More details.
2022 Restoration of Watershed Connectivity Grants
NEIWPCC, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program, is inviting proposals for projects that will help prepare communities to restore aquatic habitat connectivity for herring and eel, reduce localized flood risks, and improve conditions on Hudson River estuary tributaries. Deadline: June 10, 2022. Learn more.
NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program
Support of up to $7,500 is available for conservation treatment
of paintings, works on paper (including individual drawings, watercolors, prints, or photographs), textiles (including costumes, domestic textiles, and upholstery), furniture, frames, sculpture, historical, ethnographic, and decorative objects. Deadline: September 1, 2022. More info.
Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
Inspire! Grants for Small Museums is a special initiative of the Museums for America program. It is designed to support small museums of all disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through exhibitions, educational/interpretive programs, digital learning resources, professional development, community debate and dialogue, audience-focused studies, and/or collections management, curation, care, and conservation. Deadline: November 15, 2022. More info.
Extreme Terrain’s Clean Trail Grant Program
This program will provide eligible groups the opportunity to apply for a grant to fund their next trail improvement-related project, which could range from trail clean-up, trail restoration, trail expansion, to name a few. Learn more.
New York State Assembly Grants Action News
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More info.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
