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, Executive Director Greenway,
Director National Heritage Area
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Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
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Important Reminders
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Greenway Planning, Greenway Trail, and Heritage Development Grant Applications are Due May 7, 2021. More details.
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Lyndhurst Mansion is Preparing to Re-open. Learn more.
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The Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces $636,000 Available for Planning and Trails Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway is excited to announce the resumption of our Greenway Planning and Trails Grants Programs, effective immediately! For 2021 there is $136,000 available for Planning Grants and $500,000 available for Trail Grants.
Our grants are only available to those located in the Hudson River Valley Greenway Area and who meet the requirements of the grants programs as described below. The Greenway Area includes all of the municipalities within these counties: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Ulster, Washington, Westchester, municipalities in Greene County that are at least partially or entirely outside of the Catskill Park boundary; and those portions of New York and Bronx counties adjacent to the Hudson River and within the city’s local waterfront revitalization program area pursuant to Executive Law Article 42.
Greenway Planning Grants are open to municipalities that have adopted a local board resolution to become a designated “Greenway Community” and who do not have a currently open grant in this program. These grants are not open to The Bronx or Manhattan.
Greenway Compact Grants are open to municipalities that have adopted an approved Greenway Compact Plan and who do not have a currently open grant in this program. These grants are not open to the Bronx or Manhattan.
Greenway Trail Grants are open to municipalities and not-for-profit corporations and who do not have a currently open grant in this program.
Due Dates: Grant applications for all three programs are due on these dates in 2021: May 7, September 10, and November 8.
Download the Applications, Guidelines, and Scoring Criteria may be found here: https://hudsongreenway.ny.gov/grants-funding. The applications have been updated from previous years and no older applications will be accepted.
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Engaging K-12 STEM Lessons from Teaching the Hudson Valley and Dacia Jones
New teaching resources for science, math, history, writing, art, and literacy are now available! Featuring local Hudson Valley people and places, Teaching the Hudson Valley is collaborating with Dacia Jones to offer STEM lessons for the classroom and beyond! This STEM Portal offers K-12 challenges and immersions tied to real-world connections. These lessons utilize the Hudson River, Catskills, Shawangunk, and Palisades areas to encourage the use of place-based learning in the everyday curriculum. Through hands-on activities that stimulate critical thinking and develop research skills, the portal will help educators generate new ideas that allow students to use approach challenges and tasks with a different perspective. Alignments and standards are included in the documents.
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New Dutch & Native American Heritage Brochure!
The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) released a new brochure map guide highlighting Dutch history and early interactions with Native American tribes in the Hudson River Valley. The new brochure joins 5 existing brochures produced by the HRVNHA:
- General HRVNHA;
- 19th Century Painters;
- Architectural Traditions in the Hudson Valley;
- Landscapes & Gardens in the Hudson River Valley;
- American Revolution in the Hudson River Valley.
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Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Announces $15,000 in Grants
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$5,000 to FASNY, for STEM in the Hudson Valley Virtual Program.
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$5,000 to Fullerton Center, for Downing In Newburgh.
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$5,000 to Untermyer Gardens, for Video Series: Garden Walks with Timothy.
The next round of Heritage Development Grant applications are due May 7, 2021. Information and guidelines are available here.
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Finger Lakes NHA Feasibility Study
The National Park Service (NPS) is inviting the public to input on a study to determine the feasibility of designating the Finger Lakes region of New York as a national heritage area. The 90-day comment period for the Finger Lakes National Heritage Area Feasibility Study will extend from March 1 to June 1, 2021.
NPS created an online ‘Story Map’ explaining the study’s purpose, authorities, and a summary of resources within the 14 county study area that can be found here: https://arcg.is/0eCKrj. The public comment submission portal can be accessed here. Learn more.
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News From Our Partners at the Hudson River Estuary Program |
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Important Reminders
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Residential Brush Burning Prohibited in NYS March 16 Through May 14, 2021. More info.
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Incorporating Biodiversity in Municipal Land-Use Planning in the Hudson Valley
The new article, "Incorporating Biodiversity in Municipal Land-Use Planning: An Assessment of Technical Assistance, Policy Capacity, and Conservation Outcomes in New York's Hudson Valley" was recently published in the journal Land Use Policy. The research was led by Cornell University's Dr. Shorna Allred and Dr. Rich Stedman with co-authors from the Hudson River Estuary Program, Laura Heady and Karen Strong.
The research looked at how biodiversity measures were included in municipal planning and decision-making by local officials who participated in conservation and land-use outreach and training sponsored by the Hudson River Estuary Program.
These are a few findings and recommendations from the study:
- Most Estuary Program participants applied the knowledge and skills gained from outreach and training to create new procedures, plans, and policies to improve biodiversity conservation through land-use planning.
- For outreach and technical assistance programs to yield long-term outcomes in the land use planning arena—especially in a region as large and diverse as the Hudson River estuary watershed—offering a variety of programs over a long time is beneficial. Ideally, practitioners of land-use and conservation planning programs would be able to offer ongoing outreach and assistance to local officials.
- Creation and empowerment of conservation advisory councils could increase the likelihood and efficacy in addressing biodiversity conservation needs at the local level.
- Personal motivation was one of the strongest predictors of increased biodiversity efforts in municipal land-use planning. Given the strong role of individual capacity, it appears that fostering interest in biodiversity among municipal leaders is as important as building analytical competencies to apply biodiversity knowledge and information in planning.
The report can be downloaded for free until April 23, 2021. Download it now.
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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.
Boscobel Virtual Tour
Enjoy this pilot virtual tour of Boscobel’s iconic site–from anywhere, anytime! Through pictures and beautifully produced audio narration, explore Boscobel’s extraordinary history and beauty. Check out!
Thomas Cole's Spring Lights (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays | April 16-May 9)
Spring Lights is a new outdoor nighttime walk-through event at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, NY. Spring Lights is inspired by the artist Thomas Cole (1801-1848) and his love of nature. More info.
Day Hiking Checklist Webinar (WEBINAR)
April 1: Headed out for a day hike and not sure what to bring? Our outdoor experts will share their must-have items for the start of a safe, enjoyable experience outdoors. Discover more.
Geology Hike around Lake Maratanza, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Cragsmoor, NY
April 2: Join this three-mile loop walk to view the magnificent Lake Maratanza. Read more.
The George and Mary Tour, Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers, NY
April 3: Join a guided tour to explore the narratives surrounding their relationship and lasting results that potentially altered two countries futures! Find out more.
Native Trees and Shrubs for Northeastern Gardens (WEBINAR)
April 8: Join renowned horticulturist and Innisfree trustee Brad Roeller to explore the value, versatility, and adaptability of a wide range of native trees and shrubs worthy of inclusion in today’s landscape. Learn more.
Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association Monthly Star Party, Lake Taghkanic State Park, Ancram, NY
April 9: The Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association hosts a monthly stargazing party in the West Beach parking lot. More info.
Spring Stroll and Virtual Family Cooking Class, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
April 10: Families are invited to participate in monthly outdoor walks at Olana and virtual healthy cooking classes with The Sylvia Center! More details.
Maple Syrup Day, Fahnestock State Park, Carmel, NY
April 11: Make it to Fahnstock for real maple lollipops, maple cookies, coffee, and hot cocoa. There will also be music and short nature-led hikes around little stony point. More info.
Maple Syrup Day, Taconic Outdoor Education Center, Cold Spring, NY
April 11: Make it to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center for real maple lollipops, maple cookies, coffee, and hot cocoa. There will also be music and short nature-led hikes around little stony point. Read more.
What is the Rensselaer Plateau and Is Sand Lake In It? (WEBINAR)
April 13: Join a lecture by the RPA that will explain what the Plateau is and talk about efforts by the RPA to preserve one of the largest and most ecologically intact native habitats in New York State. More info.
Hike to Verkeerder Kill Falls, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Cragsmoor, NY
April 15: Go for a hike to Verkeerderkill Falls. Falling 187 feet over a dramatic, rocky ledge, Verkeerderkill Falls is the highest waterfall in the Shawangunk Mountains. Learn more.
Hands to Work Day, Shaker Heritage Society, Albany, NY
April 17: If you're in need of some volunteer hours or just an excuse to get outside, maybe you'll consider joining the Shaker Heritage Society to rake leaves, clear branches, clean Cemetery headstones, and much more. Find out more.
Museum Resources Webinar Series - Underground Railroad Education Center (WEBINAR)
April 19: Join a webinar discussing the Underground Railroad Education Center's educational resources on the local and national history of the Underground Railroad movement, its international connections, and its legacy for today’s social justice issues. Learn more.
Pitch-in-for-Parks: Cleanup, Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Rye, NY
April 20: Volunteers will remove invasive plants and clean up litter on the beach. More info.
Pitch-in-for-Parks: Cleanup, Wilson Woods Park, Mount Vernon, NY
April 21: Volunteers will plant, paint, and remove invasive plants at Willson’s Woods Park. More details.
Garden Portraits: Experiences Captured By Camera and Pen (WEBINAR)
April 22: Join Innisfree landscape curator Kate Kerin for a discussion with photographer Larry Lederman and horticulturist and garden writer Tom Christopher about the gardens featured in their swoon-worthy book, Garden Portraits: Experiences of Natural Beauty. More info.
Pitch-in-for-Parks: Cleanup, Cranberry Lake Preserve, North Castle, NY
April 23: Volunteers will rake, weed, and remove debris and litter at Cranberry Lake Preserve. Learn more.
Take a Walk on the Wild(flower) Side, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
April 24: Join in celebrating Earth Day weekend by exploring and enjoying the landscape, while observing and identifying the native spring wildflowers of Clermont. Read more.
Canal Clean Sweep 2021 (REGION WIDE EVENT)
April 24-25: With the Canalway Trail having seen record use in 2020, your is needed help to make sure the trail is ready for another influx of visitors this Spring. More info.
Second International Congress of Biological Control (WEBINAR)
April 26-30: The International Congress of Biological Control is the flagship event of the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) which promotes environmentally safe methods of pest and disease control. More details.
Full Moon Hike, Rockefeller Lake State Park Preserve, Pleasantville, NY
April 27: Every month the Preserve gives hikers an opportunity to experience the Preserve after dark in the "Full Moon Hike" series. Find out more.
Hudson: The Story of a River (WEBINAR)
April 28: Join Scott Stoner and Denise Hackett-Stoner for a photo tour highlighting the Hudson River's development from a tiny, shallow, rocky stream to a raging freshwater river, to a tidal estuary below Troy. More info.
The Footprints of Slaves: African Americans & the Hudson Valley Landscape (WEBINAR)
April 28: Join a lecture on research exploring the lives of enslaved persons in the upper Hudson Valley, and the role enslaved persons had in shaping and creating landscapes. Learn more.
History Hidden in the Woods, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY
April 29: Explore the history of three historic estates that were within what is now Mills Norrie State Park: Staatsburgh, The Point (Hoyt House) and Stonehurst. Find out more.
Cycle the Erie Canal 2021 (REGION WIDE EVENT)
July 11-18: The eight-day adventure is returning for the 23rd year in 2021. Riders will leave Buffalo and reach Albany. Register now.
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Heritage Spotlight: Poets’ Walk Park
In 1849, members of the Astor and Delano families, who lived in adjacent estates, commissioned Germanborn landscape architect Hans Jacob Ehlers to make improvements on these grounds. The classic wooded vistas, sunlit fields, and thick forest were the main focus of Ehlers’ vision for the property. He fashioned a series of “outdoor rooms,” using stands of foliage and stone walls to break up the landscape, which includes rolling meadows, forests, and a ravine. Ehlers also created a shaded, streamside path, dubbed Poets’ Walk in honor of Washington Irving and other literary figures who reputedly strolled here. Today, the 120-acre park features two miles of trails through woods with rustic pavilions, bridges, and benches. Conservation easements protect 780 acres of private lands around the park, ensuring serenity while enjoying outstanding Hudson River and Catskill Mountain views. Poets' Walk Park is open daily at 8:30 am, closing times vary depending on the season, see website for details. Learn more.
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Project Spotlight: Village of Ardsley Comprehensive Plan and LWRP Plan
The Village of Ardsley received a Greenway Community Planning Grant to update their 1964 Comprehensive Plan (CP) and develop a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program plan (LWRP). Ardsley is a 1.3mi2 village on the Saw Mill River in the Town of Greenburgh in Westchester County. The CP and LWRP identify strategies to protect the Saw Mill River's natural resources, promote the economic development of the business district, and enhance recreational facilities, parks, and trails. The new plans were key for Ardsley to become a Greenway Compact Community and a participant of the Westchester County Compact Plan. These new initiatives are notable as Ardsley has not reviewed its zoning or engaged in a major Village-wide planning process since 1964. Additionally, the Village has been able to address major transportation infrastructure improvements and their impact upon pedestrian connectivity to Village parks and recreational facilities, County trailways, and the downtown business district. Learn more about the Village of Ardsley.
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Reduce the Amount of Meat and Animal Products in Your Diet
Animal farming is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, water use, water pollution, and land-use changes. Learn more.
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Grant and Funding Opportunities
Hudson River Valley Greenway Community Grant Program
Matching grants are available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: May 7, 2021. More info.
Heritage Development Grants
This annual grant program offers funding for programming, interpretation, and marketing projects that support the mutual goals of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) 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 7, 2021 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 7, 2021. More details.
National Heritage Area Sponsorships 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 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. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.
Community Project Funding
Community Project Funding opportunities are requests that can result in federal funding for a single organization or project. Community Project Funding is only eligible to local and state governments and eligible non-profit organizations. Non-profit entities as described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are the only non-profits that are eligible. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Deadline: April 9, 2021. Learn more.
NYSDEC's Buffer in a Bag Program
The Buffer in a Bag program provides organizations and private landowners with free tree and shrub seedlings to help establish, or improve, a stream buffer on their property. Plantings alongside water bodies create wildlife habitats and improve water quality. Deadline: April 12, 2021. Find out more.
Preserve New York Grant
Preserve New York is a signature grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts and Preservation League of New York State, with additional support from The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. Preserve New York provides support to identify, document, and preserve New York’s cultural and historic buildings, structures, and landscapes. Preserve New York makes grants for historic structure reports, building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys. This program will not fund capital construction costs, only consulting reports. Deadline: April 12, 2021. Read more.
Event and Festival Sponsorship Program
Cultural, heritage, and recreational events within the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor deliver $1.3 billion annually in economic benefits to communities. In partnership with NYS Canal Corporation, we are awarding funding of $500 for selected events taking place from May through October. Municipalities or nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations are eligible. A minimum one-to-one match is required. Deadline: April 16, 2021. Discover more.
Mark B. Bain Graduate Fellowship
The Foundation may award up to six full-time research fellowships per year to advanced graduate students conducting research on the Hudson River system. Projects must be relevant to the Hudson River and Watershed and focused on topics related to the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the River, or address social, economic, or public policy issues, including issues related to environmental justice. Deadline: April 19, 2021. Read more.
Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives: Amplifying Unheard Voices
Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives: Amplifying Unheard Voices is a national grant competition administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) for digitizing rare and unique content stewarded by collecting organizations in the US and Canada. Deadline: April 30, 2021. More details.
Legends & Lore Grant
Commemorate special shared stories for generations to come with Legends & Lore roadside markers. Deadline: May 3, 2021. More details.
Climate-Adaptive Design 2021 Studio
Hudson riverfront municipalities have the opportunity to host the Cornell University Department of Landscape Architecture’s Climate-adaptive Design Studio during the fall of 2021. Letter of interest deadline is May 10, 2021. Read more.
Center for Research on African American Children and Families RFP
The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is considering soliciting applications for a Center for Research on African American Children and Families, to lead and support research on the needs of African American populations served by ACF and promising approaches to promoting social and economic well-being among low-income African American populations. Deadline: May 20, 2021. Learn more.
Two for the Trails Grant Program
Athletic Brewing Company (Non-Alcoholic Brews) is offering accepting applications to allocate $500,000 to projects or groups that share their mission. Most projects include activities such as hiking, climbing, biking, and skiing but are open to supporting all human-powered activities. Applications are limited to 501(c) 3 organizations and must be shovel-ready. Eligible projects include trail construction, maintenance, and amenities. Deadline: May 31, 2021. Learn more.
Hudson River Access, Education, and Planning Grants
This funding opportunity is offered through three separate Requests for Applications (RFAs): Local Stewardship Planning, River Access, and River Education. The grants are provided through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and are administered by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary program. Deadline: June 2, 2021. Find out more.
Institutes for Historical Editing
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals for the training and education of historical documentary editors. The Institutes for Historical Editing must consist of both basic and advanced Institutes that seek to achieve specific goals. A grant is for one to three years and up to $275,000. Deadline: June 9, 2021. More info.
NHPRC-Mellon Start-Up Grants for Collaborative Digital Editions in African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American History
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission of the National Archives supports projects that promote access to America's historical records to encourage understanding of our democracy, history, and culture. Grants are awarded to collaborative teams consisting of at least two scholar-editors, as well as one or more archivists, digital scholars, data curators, and/or other support and technical staff, as appropriate to fulfill the planning goals and early-implementation needs of the proposed edition. A grant is for up to two years and for up to $60,000 per year. Deadline: June 9, 2021. Learn more.
2021 NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program
Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations, museums, historical organizations, or other cultural institutions either incorporated in or registered to do business in New York State that own, care for and exhibit collections to the public. Deadline: September 1, 2021. More info.
Artist Emergency Fund (Columbia and Greene Counties Only)
CREATE Council on the Arts is facilitating an emergency fund for artists living in our region (Greene and Columbia County) who have been financially impacted by the Coronavirus and require immediate support. Grants of $50 will be administered to artists who have lost income due to the virus in order to supplement costs of basic necessities including groceries and rent. Find out more.
Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement Program
The Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement Program is an innovative partnership between New York State and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) focused on incentivizing the reduction of food waste in the state. The program provides reimbursement to New York State businesses, municipalities, or not-for-profits that generate, haul, or recycle large amounts of food waste to offset the cost of select technologies and equipment that promise to reduce or divert that food waste from landfill or incineration. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis. More details.
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.
Thomas Cole National Historic Site is Hiring
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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