December 2018
Barnabas McHenry, Chairman Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Kevin M. Burke, Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley,
Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Acting Executive Director Greenway,
Acting Director National Heritage Area 
Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
The Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces $75,000 in Grants
At its November meeting, the  Hudson River Valley Greenway approved seven matching grant awards for its Community Planning Grant Program totaling $75,000. The funded projects include:

  • $10,000 to the Town of Bethlehem, Albany County, to update their Comprehensive Plan.
  • $10,000 to the Town of Marbletown, Ulster County, to create the Historic High Falls Hamlet Plan.
  • $10,000 to the Town of Plattekill, Ulster County, to update their Comprehensive Plan.
  • $10,000 to the Town of Rennselaerville, Albany County, for their Country to Capital: A Needs Assessment for Rural-Urban Linkages In Albany County.
  • $10,000 to the Village of Kinderhook, Columbia County, for a Recreational Resource Inventory.
  • $10,000 to the Village of New Hempstead, Rockland County, to create a Comprehensive Plan.
  • $15,000 to the Village of New Paltz, Ulster County, for a Reservoir Capacity Analysis.

For the next application deadline, all applicants will be required to use the updated application and budget detail worksheet . All grant and MOU submissions will only be accepted when submitted to  grants@hudsongreenway.ny.gov . The application deadline for the next grant round is  February 8, 2019 .  Applications and guidelines  are available on the Hudson River Valley Greenway's website.
Fish on the Move 2019 Annual Meeting
The plenary theme, Fish on the Move, will explore new understanding of “traditional” movement ecology (e.g., diadromy), climate change-induced shifts in species ranges, as well as movements of invasive species. Additionally, this session will consider consequences of these movements on human communities. Invited speakers are:
  • David Secor, University of Maryland, author of Ecology of Marine Fish Migrations;
  • Janet Nye, Stony Brook University, expert on climate induced range shifts in North Atlantic fishes;
  • Kathy Mills, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, expert on how coastal communities adapt to climate-induced changes in fisheries;
  • James Gilmore, Director, Division of Marine Resources, NYSDEC and Chair of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission;
  • Chris Bowser, Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, the genius behind the citizen science-based Hudson River glass eel monitoring program.

They will be joined by John Waldman, CUNY Queens College, who will moderate a panel discussion. There will be a special session on the Hudson River, as well as one on Shads. There will be student travel awards. The New York Chapter offers the Klumb-Spindler awards, and the NED will offer the John Moring Student Travel Awards prior to the meeting. In addition, for the first time there will be a Diversity travel award. Keep an eye on the conference website for application details, including deadlines. The meeting will be held February 6-8, 2019 .
Keeping Our City Hydrated
At the end of November, Cornell University published a feature package that highlights the cooperation and process between farmers, government agencies, non-profits, and other groups to protect and conserve water in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. There are 19 reservoirs that are used on both sides of the Hudson River to supply New York City's population of about 8.6 million residents with a quality water source. The majority of the unfiltered water is retrieved from the Catskill/Delaware Watershed, where 6 reservoirs exist and supply NYC with about 1 billion gallons of water a day. Cornell Cooperative Extension, which includes faculty scientists and educators, partners with farmers, local and federal agencies and municipalities to develop custom plans to protect nearby streams from runoff and keep drinking water safe. These efforts have saved NYC about $10 billion on water supply and helps farmers with careful, efficient, and innovative strategies to reduce and control run off to keep NYC's water as pristine as possible. These partn erships are key to making sure millions of New Yorkers have clean drinking water and could perhaps inspire similar models across the U.S. Check out the entire feature package .
The Impacts of Storms Irene and Sandy on Sediments in the Hudson River
Extreme events have the potential to mobilize and re-distribute large sediment volumes from tributaries as well as from riverbanks and the river bottom. This impacts habitats, contaminated sediment deposits, navigation, and stability of restoration sites. Understanding the details of these impacts as well as changes of general sediment conditions is important for managing estuarine systems, especially since such events might become more frequent in the future. The events of tropical storms Irene, Lee and Sandy, which hit the Hudson River Estuary in short succession in 2011 and 2012, provided a great opportunity to study the impact of such storms on the sediment in the Hudson River. The Hudson River Foundation will be hosting a Seminar on December 4th  to learn about the findings of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory scientists Frank Nitsche and Tim Kenna. You can download the associated report from the Hudson River Foundation's new website. Please call 212-483-7667 or email  info@hudsonriver.org  to RSVP as space is limited.
Upcoming Events

Santa at FASNY Museum of Firefighting, Hudson, NY
December 1: Families can stroll through the Museum and look for fourteen holiday scenes on various fire trucks. Playful penguins, holiday horses, mischievous monkeys, cuddly Christmas cats and more stuffed animals are displayed in holiday scenes throughout the Museum. Younger children can try and find all of the holiday scenes and identify the animals they find in the scenes.  Find out more .

St. Nicholas Day Family Event, Jacob Blauvelt House, New City, NY
December 1, 2: The Historical Society of Rockland County are opening the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House to welcome children of all ages to celebrate Saint Nicholas as they've done since 1961. This traditional program is a highlight of the holiday season, and many adults who enjoyed this event in the past, as children, now bring their own families. More details .

Vanderbilt Mansion Holiday Open House, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY
December 2: Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site will be free of charge all day for our annual Christmas Open House. The Mansion will be lavishly decorated for the holidays and refreshments will be provided by the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt Historical Association. Learn more .

Holiday Whodunit Family Program, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY
December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Children become detectives to solve a “history mystery.” Costumed interpreters throughout the house provide clues to help kids find whodunit.  Read more .

The Art of Holiday Greens: Boxwood Tree Making, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
December 4: Mary Hughes, Olana's Master Gardener, will teach the art of creating seasonal boxwood trees for tabletop decoration in these hands-on workshops. Please bring a pair of pruning shears. All other supplies and refreshments will be provided. Discover more .

Poisoned by Lies and Hypocrisy: America's First Attempt to Bring Liberty to Canada, Bennington Battlefield State Historic Site, Wallomsac, NY
December 5: The next discussion group meeting will be at the Walloomsac Taproom to mull over Poisoned by Lies and Hypocrisy: America’s First Attempt to Bring Liberty to Canada, 1775-1776 by Gavin K. Watt. More info .

A NY History of 5 Wild Animals, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, Fort Montgomery, NY
December 6: Learn how New York's sturgeon, beaver, box turtle, wolf and bald eagle have survived 400 years of human settlement. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Environmental Educator Carl Heitmuller will trace the natural histories of some of the Hudson Valley's most notable species. Pelts, skulls, bones, shells, and even a live box turtle will be shared throughout the program! More details .

Downtown Yonkers Gallery Hop, Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers, NY
December 6: Stop by each of the 4 major downtown galleries: Blue Door Art Center, PC4, Philipse Manor Hall and the Riverfront Library, the first Thursday of each month to view new and exciting exhibits of arts and culture! Find out more.

Harness Racing Museum's 44 th Annual Holiday Concert, Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, Goshen, NY
December 6: Great music and fun are traditions of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame’s annual Holiday Concert. Celebrating its 44 th year, this community event kicks off the holiday season. Laced with the jingle of sleigh bells and the warmth of gathered friends and neighbors, the evening is sure to help “make the season bright.”   Read more .

Experience Westchester County's Rich Revolutionary War History, Jay heritage Center, Rye, NY
December 8: Enjoy a free day of fun and learning at the Jay Heritage Center with activities for both families and history enthusiasts. Learn abou t Revolutionary Westchester 250  and how you can get involved. More info .

Home of FDR Holiday Open House, Home of FDR National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY
December 8: The Home of FDR will be free of charge all day for our annual Christmas Open House. The Roosevelt’s home Springwood will be decorated for the holidays as it was during the Roosevelt presidency and refreshments will be provided. Learn more .

The Revolutionary War 1776-1783 in Westchester County, Jay Heritage Center, Rye, NY
December 8: Travel back in time to the campsites, homes and “Neutral Grounds.” Experience life during the turbulent times of John Jay, Benedict Arnold, Anne Miller, Aaron Palmer and George Washington. Meet CBS anchor and Yonkers First Lady, Mary Calvi, author of Dear George, Dear Mary: A Novel of George Washington’s First Love, Mary Philipse. Read more .

Youth Snowmobile Safety Course, Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton, NY
December 8: The Grafton Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will host a snowmobile safety course for young people ages 10 to 18. More info .

Warm Up at Washingtons in Newburgh, Washington Headquarters State Historic Site, Newburgh, NY
December 9: Historic interpreters will greet visitors when you arrive and explain what took place when the Washingtons occupied the Hasbrouck farmhouse during the last winter of the Revolutionary War. The Salmagundi Consort will perform period appropriate music by an indoor Dutch jambless fireplace, while cookies and warm cider are served near an outdoor fire. Discover more .

Emergency Preparedness Basics: Getting Started (WEBINAR)
December 12: One of the most important steps any cultural institution can take to safeguard its collections is to be prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster. How do you get started on this process? This webinar will focus on the first steps an institution should take, including drafting a Pocket Response Plan (PReP), determining salvage priorities, and establishing a cache of disaster supplies. Read more .

Lake Minnewaska & Beacon Hill Hike, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Cragsmoor, NY
December 14: Join Nick Martin, Park Educator, for this approximately four-mile walk along the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road, with a side trip through the old golf course for a great view of the Catskills. When we reach the East side of Lake Minnewaska, we'll hike the Beacon Hill Footpath, which follows along the escarpment edge. Find out more .

Discover the Pine Bush, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany, NY
December 15: An extraordinary journey into the Albany Pine Bush – a globally rare, nationally significant and locally distinct inland pine barrens. Our experts will guide you along this 0.9-mile hike over rolling sand dunes where you will discover Pine Bush natural history and seasonal surprises and transformations.Reservations are required for all public programs. More info .

Christmas with the Ellisons, Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site, Vails Gate, NY
December 15: Tour by candlelight the elegant 1754 Ellison mansion ornamented with costumed staff and 18th century holiday decorations. Free admission.   More details .

Candlelight Tours, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
December 16: Tableaux Vivant of Christmas traditions through the ages, glittering decorations, wassail and traditional holiday goodies served in the historic kitchen.​ Find out more .

Flag Changing Ceremony, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Highland, NY
December 16: The  American Legion Pleasant Valley-Millbrook Post #739, Pleasant Valley NY  and VFW Post 6534 Highland organize and present monthly Flag Changing Ceremonies on the Walkway to honor our region’s veterans and their service to our country. More details .

Third Thursdays Bird Walk, Katonah, NY
December 20: Join Naturalist Tait Johansson at this local hotspot at Maple Avenue on the third Thursday of every month. Cost: Free. Level of Physical Difficulty: Easy. More info .

The Fashionable 1920's, NYS Museum, Albany, NY
December 23: Learn about the clothing and fashion of New Yorkers in the “Roaring Twenties,” from everyday wear to fancy dress. Make your own headpiece to take home with you, and imagine what you might have looked like if you were born in New York in in the early 20th century! Find out more .

Open House at Knox's Headquarters State Historic Site, Vails Gate, NY
December 27: Tour the elegant 1754 historic house decorated for the season in 18th century fashion.  Discover more .

Children's Holiday Tea, Mount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon, NY
December 27: C hildren and adults are welcomed to an event that combines fun, good manners, and education about a bygone era, in an authentic location where social teas were once standard fare.  Read more .

Evergreen Walk, Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY
December 29: While the aroma of balsam is still in the air, take time to appreciate the season’s color- green! We’ll take an easy walk to find several species of conifers and learn how to identify them by their leaves (needles) and cones. Then we’ll warm up at the Nature Center with some hot cocoa and make a simple tree ID guide to take home. Find out more .
Heritage Spotlight: Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (HVCCA)
Both emerging and renowned international contemporary art is exhibited in a 12,000 square foot former home improvement warehouse in Peekskill. Founded by the Marc and Livia Straus family, the Center is dedicated to the development and presentation of exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs that enrich our understanding of contemporary art, its contexts, and its relationship to social issues. HVCCA is the primary sponsor of the Peekskill Project, an annual, city-wide exhibition of site-specific artwork. As cited in a June 2014 City of Peekskill Proclamation, HVCCA is also committed to the enrichment of Peekskill, a multicultural community that is now a major arts destination evidenced by visitors from the global arts community. Additionally, HVCCA has installed a number of sculptural artworks throughout the downtown business district and the Peekskill riverfront.  More details .
Project Spotlight: Village of Haverstraw Downtown Waterfront Development Concept Plan
The Village of Haverstraw was awarded a Greenway Community Planning Grant to develop a Waterfront Concept Plan for a 7-acre (+/-) piece of undeveloped land. Being the last parcel of undeveloped land on the waterfront, Village officials are looking at this as an opportunity of a lifetime. The Concept Plan will guide the waterfront's future development to be sure it is in accordance with the communities values and character. The plan attempts to define their vision of mixed-use, which incorporates mixed-income residential, commercial development, and public waterfront access to create a project of lasting value for the community at this critical location. The plan is an overall attempt at revitalizing Haverstraw's downtown to make it a more vibrant, attractive, and enjoyable place for those who live and visit the Village. You can read more about the plan here .
Green Tip of the Month: Bring Your Own to Work
A lot of us spend significant time at the office or place of work. One way to make your day greener is by bringing your own silverware, coffee mug, cup, and dishware to work, instead of wasting plastic or paper disposables that can end up harming our environment. Learn more .
Grant and Funding Opportunities

Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program
Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: February 8, 2019 . More info .

National Heritage Area Sponsorship's Available
The 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 complementing 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. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.

Teaching the Hudson Valley Explore Awards
These matching grants are intended to create opportunities for students to explore the history, environment, and culture of the Hudson River Valley, connecting their studies to signifi cant places. They encourage students’ appreciation for and stewardship of their communities and cultures, and connect teachers with site educators and place-based learning. Eligible expenses include transportation and admission fees to eligible Hudson Valley locations for school groups. Read more .

Folk Art Grant
The Dorothea and Leo Rabkin Foundation grants are to be used to further writing and publications. They are not intended for general exhibition support. Proposals are welcomed that feature folk and outsider artists in broader projects where they are part of a spectrum of artists, historical or contemporary.

Each cycle several grants in the range of $5,000-$10,000 are funded. The jury will decide solely upon the merits of individual proposals and may choose to fund fewer or more in a given grant cycle. Winners will be required to submit a progress report and final report on the funded project. Deadline: December 1, 2018 . Find out more .

Save America's Treasures Grants
SAT grants provide preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar, non-Federal match, which can be cash or documented in-kind. Grants will be administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Deadline: December 3, 2018 . More details .

Community and Transportation Linkage Planning Program
Capital District Transportation Committee's (CDTC) Linkage Program provides integrated land use and transportation planning assistance to communities within the four counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga. The Program implements the planning principles in CDTC’s New Visions 2040 regional transportation plan which states that the region’s quality of life, mobility and economic vitality are dependent upon improved local land use planning and on better integration of land use and transportation decisions.

CDTC typically funds no more than three Linkage Program projects per federal fiscal year. Funding support is provided for consultant led initiatives as well as CDTC staff technical assistance. The maximum total study cost including a required 25% cash match is $95,000 (75% federal funds/25% local cash). CDTC may waive the local match requirement for small-scale CDTC staff (not consultant) assistance or in special circumstances. Deadline: December 14, 2018 . Read more .

Request for Proposals: River Scenery Guidance and Training
The natural scenery of the Hudson River Valley has long been recognized as an important aspect of the region’s sense of place and has attracted artists and visitors from around the world. $135,000 is now available to help river shoreline landowners and historic sites manage their lands to conserve natural scenery and river vistas while protecting natural resources and wildlife habitat. Preserving scenic vistas for future generations to enjoy benefits communities along the Hudson River and the state’s growing recreation economy. The deadline for proposals is December 14, 2018 , at 12 p.m. The RFP and application is available on NEIWPCC’s website. General information about the RFP can be found on the DEC website .

Wal-Mart Foundation Community Grant Program
Community Grants range from a minimum of $250 to the maximum grant of $5,000. Organizations applying must be a Section 501(c)(3) or (19) non profit, government entity, a school, or a faith based organization. There are 8 areas of funding for which an organization can apply. These include hunger relief and healthy eating, health and human service, quality of life, education, community and economic development, diversity and Inclusion, public safety, and environmental sustainability. Deadline: December 31, 2018 . Learn more .

EcoSolution Grants
EcoSolution™ Grants (previously called “Small Grants”) have been the defining basis of Captain Planet Foundation’s work over the last 25 years. In that time, we’ve funded over 2,100 projects that have impacted 1.2 million youth around the world – actively fulfilling our mission to build the next generation of environmental stewards and change-agents.
EcoSolution™ Grants range from $500-$2,500 and are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes. ecoSolution™ Grants are available to educators working with youth in the United States (international projects are by invitation only). Please note that ecoSolution™ Grants will only support direct project costs. Support for t-shirts, staff salaries, field trips, scholarships, beautification/ landscaping, etc. will NOT be considered. Deadline: January 15, 2018 . Find out more .

EcoTech Grants
EcoTech™ Grants were created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between “the screen” or “the green” and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. We believe that technology can present innovative ways to address environmental challenges – and that when dealing with digital natives, we do ourselves a disservice by asking them to unplug. Originally developed in partnership with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and now funded with ongoing support from Voya Financial Foundation, ecoTech™ Grants are specifically offered to engage children in inquiry-based, STEM-related projects that leverage technology and/or use nature-based design to address environmental problems in local communities. Examples of previous ecoTech™ Grant funded projects have involved: the integration of robotics and sensors to explore water bodies, collect data, and organize clean-ups; the development of aquaponic and hydroponic systems using arduinos and remote sensing; renewable energy design challenges; biotechnology research; nature-based design applications; and many others. Deadline: January 15, 2018 . More info .

Humanities New York Action Grants
Matching funds for project implementation. Up to $5,000 to produce public-facing humanities projects that encourage audiences to reflect on their values, explore new ideas, and engage with others across New York State. These grants require organizations to demonstrate a match of at least one-to-one. Deadline: February 1, 2018 . These grants aim to:
  • Connect audiences more deeply to the communities where they live and work.
  • Solidify community partnerships and diversify audiences.
  • Creatively employ the tools of the humanities to respond to issues and ideas capturing the imagination and passion of New Yorkers today.

Learn more about Humanities New York's Grant Programs.

Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship
The Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship program is a student research program conducted through the Hudson River Foundation in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Named in honor of the late Dr. Tibor T. Polgar, a major contributor to the early development of the Foundation, this program provides a summertime grant ($5,000 for each fellowship) and research funds (up to $1,000) for eight college students to conduct research on the Hudson River. The objectives of the program are to gather important information on all aspects of the River and to train students in conducting scientific studies and public policy research. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or accepted into a graduate program for the following fall. Both undergraduate and early career graduate students may apply. Projects must be designed to be completed during one summer season. Deadline: February 11, 2018 . More details .

EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants
The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) program awards grants that support community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities. The EJSG program will award approximately $1.5 million nationwide for this competitive opportunity. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 50 grants (5 per EPA region) of up to $30,000 each. These grants are for one-year projects. Deadline: February 15, 2019 . Find out more .

Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs Program  
The Hudson River Estuary Program’s Trees for Tribs program offers free native trees and shrubs for planting along the tributary streams in the Hudson River estuary watershed. Our staff can help you with a planting plan and work with your volunteers. Fall planting projects are now taking place. If you own or manage property near a stream in the Hudson estuary watershed, you can apply for assistance from Trees for Tribs. Landowners or managers must complete an application (PDF) .  and if the project is selected, recruit volunteers for planting, and maintain the site after the planting is complete. Deadline: March 1, 2019 for a planting in spring, and August 1, 2019 for planting in the fall. More info .

Mark B. Bain Graduate Fellowship
In 2019, the Foundation will award up to six full-time research fellowships to advanced graduate students conducting research on the Hudson River system. A fellowship awarded to a doctoral student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student’s graduate institution, in an amount of up to $19,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget of up to $1,000. A fellowship awarded to a master’s level student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student’s graduate institution, of up to $15,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget of up to $1,000. Deadline: March 11, 2019 . Read more .

Emergency/Intervention Funding
Intervention funding from the National Trust is awarded in emergency situations when immediate and unanticipated work is needed to save a historic structure, such as when a fire or other natural disaster strikes. Funding is restricted to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Emergency grants typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, but unlike the majority of our grant funding, a cash match is not required for intervention projects. Read more about the process for intervention grants . Then contact  Nation Trust   if you believe your project qualifies for this type of funding. Please note: our emergency funding is very limited. 

Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program
The Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program (Connect Kids) is a field trip refund grant program connecting New York schoolchildren with nature and New York State history. Connect Kids will refund up to $1,000 of the field trip costs for visits to a New York State Park, Nature Center, or Historic Site, or a Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Education Center, fish hatchery, or selected DEC sites. Grants are available on a first come, first served basis. Find out more .

Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund
Only Organizational Level Forum members or Main Street America members of the National Trust are eligible to apply for funding from the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund grant program. The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund helps to build the capacity of existing preservation organizations and encourages collaboration among these organizations by providing grants for mentoring and other peer-to-peer and direct organizational development and learning opportunities. The purpose of these grants is to support the leadership and effectiveness of staff and board members of preservation organizations to fulfill their mission and to create a stronger, more effective preservation movement. By linking organizations with specific skills/programs to those seeking to develop similar abilities, the Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund promotes individualized mentoring and the sharing of expertise. Read more .

5th Grade Arbor Day Poster Contest
Fifth grade students are encouraged to design and submit an original poster depicting the current year's theme: Habitats for Bats! Poster competition begins at the local elementary school level. Each school's winning entry is then entered into a regional judging event. Nine regional champions are chosen and from these a final, statewide winner is selected. The state winner will be invited to celebrate at the State Capital in Albany and have a tree planted in their name at their school. Various other prizes are awarded to the state winning student and his/her school. The New York State winner also receives the honor of having his/her artwork replicated as the NYS 5th Grade Arbor Day Poster, which is distributed to schools and libraries all over the state. Approximately 2,000 students from around the state participate each year. Submit entry by designated deadline of  December 21, 2018  to your NYS Regional DEC Office. Learn more .

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More info .
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