November 2022

WATERSHED DIGEST
monthly newsletter
Update from the Hudson River Watershed Alliance

Annual Watershed Conference:

Climate Change Impacts on Water

Last week, over 150 people from across the Hudson Valley attended the Annual Watershed Conference, which occurred over three days both virtually and in-person. The sessions wove together climate impacts like drought and flooding with adaptive solutions, focusing on community case studies from throughout the Hudson River watershed.


Monday’s session focused on setting the scene, bringing together scientists and experts who shared key context on climate projects and risks, covering topics including: the New York State Climate Impacts Assessment, drought, flooding, stream channel erosion, and centering equity in climate resilience. Sylvia Reeves, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), shared tools available through Drought.gov to understand historical drought data and conditions in the Hudson Valley. 

At the virtual session, Sylvia Reeves, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), walked participants through using tools available through Drought.gov.

The second session of the conference took place in-person at the Henry A. Wallace Center, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park. Building off of Monday’s session, we began with a presentation on watershed community response to the impacts of changing climate conditions on drinking and recreational water quality by Dan Shapley of Riverkeeper. 

Dan Shapley from Riverkeeper shared watershed community responses to drought, flooding, Harmful Algal Blooms, and other climate-related water quality impacts.  

As impacts from climate change accelerate, more and more communities are and will face impacts including flooding, extreme heat, and drought. Though these events may be becoming our new normal, the serious mental health impacts of these events cannot be ignored. Mental health and trauma planning must be a component of climate emergency planning and disaster management. Andrew O’Meara of Institute for Disaster Mental Health, SUNY New Paltz presented key coping strategies and principles of trauma-informed care


The final session of the conference took place on Wednesday in the Barn at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston. An interactive session facilitated by Hannah Mico of River Network gathered information from stakeholders across the region will help inform the Strategic Roadmap for the Hudson River Flood Resilience Network, a collaboration between municipalities on the shoreline of the tidal portion of the Hudson River.

Discussing collaborative relationships to improve community flood resilience, to inform the Hudson River Flood Resilience Network's Strategic Roadmap.

Many thanks to our sponsors, speakers, and attendees for joining us at this year's Annual Watershed Conference, and we hope you will join us again in 2023.

Thank you to our conference sponsors! 

Watershed Sponsors:

River Sponsors:

Hudson River Maritime Museum

Hudson Valley Regional Council

 

Creek Sponsors:

Capital District Regional Planning Commission

Delaware Engineering

Anne & Fred Osborn III / The EASTER Foundation

Pace University

SLR Consulting

Tighe & Bond

 

Stream Sponsors:

Barton & Loguidice

Gordon & Svenson LLP

Riverkeeper

Rockland County Soil & Water Conservation District

 

Brook Sponsors:

CEA Engineers

Center for the Urban River at Beczak

Common Ground Consulting, LLC

Scenic Hudson

Strong Outcomes, LLC

Wallkill River Watershed Alliance

Woodstock Land Conservancy

Philip DeGaetano

Welcome, Jen!

The Hudson River Watershed Alliance is excited to welcome Jen Benson to the team as our new Watershed Program Specialist! Jen’s role will focus on watershed group capacity-building, program management, and supporting the day-to-day operations of the Alliance. We're thrilled to be increasing our capacity, growing from one to two staff!


Prior to joining the Alliance, Jen spent 7 years at Riverkeeper leading community engagement programs, including the annual Riverkeeper Sweep and advocacy campaigns. She is a May 2022 graduate of Bard College with a Masters of Science in Environmental Policy and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Literature from SUNY Geneseo.

Breakfast Webinar: NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation Green Innovation Grant Program

Thursday, November 10, 8:30-9:30 AM

Register here

Brian Gyory from NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation will present on the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP). GIGP supports projects across New York State that utilize unique EPA-designated green stormwater infrastructure design and create green technologies. Grants are awarded annually to projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change.


Dr. Brian Martinez, Commissioner of Finance for the City of Poughkeepsie, will share details about two GIGP-funded stormwater projects. These include retrofitting a downtown municipal parking lot and installing rain gardens, bioretention, and trees in Malcolm X Park to provide green space in the city's Northside neighborhood along the Fall Kill Creek.

Photo: Scenic Hudson

This program is supported by funding from the Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with support from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, in cooperation with NEIWPCC.

Breakfast Webinar: Dam Removal Case Studies

Thursday, December 8, 8:30-9:30 AM

Register here

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Hudson River Estuary Program provides grant funding to dam owners that are interested in removing their dam. Dam removal is a river restoration strategy that can reconnect stream habitat, improve water quality, and reduce flooding hazards. This can be an expensive and complex process that involves close collaboration with NYS DEC regulatory staff.


The webinar will explore two examples - a dam removal on the Moodna Creek in Washingtonville, as well as a dam removal on Furnace Brook in Westchester County.

Photo: Riverkeeper

This program is supported by funding from the Hudson River Estuary Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with support from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, in cooperation with NEIWPCC.

Giving Tuesday is coming: Support the Hudson River Watershed Alliance!

Giving Tuesday is November 29! Your support makes it possible for the Hudson River Watershed Alliance to support local watershed groups, help communities work together on water issues, communicate as a collective voice across the region, organize education and training programs, and so much more.

Donate to the Hudson River Watershed Alliance

Opportunities

JOB POSTINGS:


Groundwork Hudson Valley: Sustainability Education Associate

More information

 

Groundwork Hudson Valley is seeking a new associate to support our dynamic Sustainability Education Program. The Sustainability Education Associate is a full time position reporting directly to the Sustainability Education Manager, supporting the Sustainability Education program which makes use of two experiential learning sites in downtown Yonkers, the Science Barge and the Saw Mill River Daylighting parks. Groundwork is seeking an experienced and dynamic educator and grower to provide energetic and engaging tours and STEM programs for K-12 school groups both in person at its experiential learning sites, and virtually and in person in the schools. The Associate will also be responsible for helping to maintain the Science Barge, in particular its hydroponic and soil-based growing systems. The Associate will assist in booking programs on the Science Barge, helping to develop sustainability education curricula, training and supervising seasonal educators, and supervising interns and youth employees/volunteers during the open-to-the-public weekend hours, spring through fall. The ideal candidate is forward thinking, resourceful and able to communicate well with a diverse mix of public and non-profit partners.



Environmental Advocates NY: Director of Campaigns

More information

 

The Director of Campaigns is responsible for setting goals and implementing projects that engage partner organizations, community-based organizations and individuals, and local governments in education and advocacy efforts. Using grassroots advocacy to effect policy change and to organize advocates for the purpose of holding state leaders accountable on environmental issues, this position will engage a sizable activist and partner network to advocate for environmental legislation and regulations, implementation and enforcement of state environmental laws and policies, including but not limited to implementation of the State’s climate law, electrification of transport and building sectors, development of water standards for emerging contaminants, and protection of source waters. The Director of Campaigns is a full-time, exempt, management position that reports to the Deputy Director and oversees our community outreach and engagement efforts.



Riverkeeper: Events and Corporate Giving Manager

More information


Reporting to the Vice President (VP) of Development, the Events and Corporate Giving (ECG) Manager will conceptualize, develop, and manage Riverkeeper events for members, donors, supporters, and the public to attend for cultivation or fundraising purposes. The ECG Manager will lead efforts to raise corporate sponsorship revenue for Riverkeeper events including Riverkeeper’s annual fundraiser gala (Summer Splash), a spring concert in Central Park (Free Dead in the Park), and the annual river-wide cleanup (Riverkeeper Sweep).

 

 

Riverkeeper: Habitat Restoration Manager

More information


We are seeking a Habitat Restoration Manager that will partner with the Senior Habitat Restoration Manager in initiating, planning, and restoring aquatic habitat throughout the Hudson River Valley. Part of this work will include managing active dam removal projects. This work includes identifying project opportunities, reaching out to stakeholders, educating communities on restoration benefits, securing funding and managing the various stages of each restoration project. Additionally, there are a range of other activities that include research, planning, sampling design, field sampling, field monitoring, outreach, data presentation, and other activities related to improving habitat.



Riverkeeper: Habitat Restoration Project Manager

More information


We are seeking a Project Manager that will help create and manage project plans related to habitat restoration, fish passage, and dam removal throughout the Hudson River Valley. This work includes budget and grant management, creating project timelines, working with vendors and external partners, managing deadlines, and all other project details. This role will also support the team with sampling protocols, monitoring activities, scientific data, and occasional field work. The Project Manager will be required to learn the field sampling methods.

 

 

Clearwater: 2022 Sailing Crew

More information

 

Clearwater employs 6 full season professional crew (First Mate, Second Mate, Engineer, Bosun, Deckhand and Cook) for four-month contracts and 4 partial season crew (Sailing Trainees and Educator Deckhands). In addition to pay, room and board, crew members receive two days off per week. All crew members are expected to develop a thorough knowledge of the vessel, safety standards and emergency procedures. Crew are required to pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to random drug testing throughout the course of their contract. Clearwater crew serve as instructors in the sloop’s education program under the direction of an Onboard Education Coordinator.

 

 

Clearwater: Sloop Captain

More information


The Captain of the sloop Clearwater is responsible for the safety and well-being of crew and passengers, and for the safe and efficient operation and management of the vessel. The Captain will oversee a crew of 10-16 experienced hands, apprentices, and volunteers, to sail a solid schedule of onboard education programs for schools, educational groups, adult programs and members. The Captain is an ambassador of Clearwater’s environmental agenda and acts accordingly. Required certifications: 100 Ton Inland Masters license with a sailing endorsement and a FCC Radio License.

 


Clearwater: Tideline Program Educators

More information


We are currently hiring part-time educators for this land-based education program conducted at Esopus Meadows Preserve and other locations along the river. Hours will be part-time and the schedule will depend on student numbers, time of year, and program demand. Therefore, flexibility is key. Our busiest time of year is April-June, and mid-September to late October (virtually every weekday for those months).



Mohonk Consultations: Part-Time Program Coordinator

More information


Mohonk Consultations Inc., a nonprofit based at Mohonk Mountain House seeks an organized, detail-oriented, experienced program coordinator. The primary function of this independent contractor role is to work with event committees to develop a communications plan, facilitate registration, and promote events in press, on social media, and their website.



NEIWPCC: Environmental Analyst, Drinking Water Technical Assistance

More information


The full-time Environmental Analyst will provide technical assistance to the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) and with the implementation of source water protection measures throughout the state. The Environmental Analyst will collaborate with municipal leaders, water operators, local health departments and other stakeholders to develop source water protection plans and provide technical assistance during plan implementation. The incumbent will collect, review, summarize and analyze environmental data associated with the sources of public drinking water and potential contaminant sources, and develop recommendations in the form of technical and outreach materials for various audiences. The Environmental Analyst will also assist the Bureau with other tasks related to water supply protection, such as water quality sampling, database management, data analysis or performing sanitary surveys of water systems.



NEIWPCC: Environmental Analyst, Drinking Water Program Specialist

More information


The Environmental Analyst will support the implementation of the statewide Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) by providing technical support to regional staff assisting the program and working with regional stakeholders to further develop the program. They will assist in implementing and continuing to evolve the statewide Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2). The candidate will be a resource for the regional staff who develop and implement DWSP2 plans across the state but may also develop DWSP2 plans. The incumbent will collaborate with other State agencies, regional planning boards, municipal leaders, water operators, local health departments and other stakeholders to implement plans and further develop the program. This Drinking Water Specialist will assist the Bureau with other tasks related to water supply protection, such as water quality sampling, database management, data analysis, performing sanitary surveys or capacity assessments for public water systems.



NEIWPCC: Environmental Analyst - Lake Monitoring

More information


This position will support LMAS programs, limnological sampling, and applied research efforts to collect, analyze, and interpret lake water quality data from lakes across New York State (NYS). Duties will involve water sampling and office activities associated with the three major lake monitoring programs run by LMAS. This is a collaborative position that will work with NYSDEC program staff to complete field season preparations and water quality sampling in support of LMAS and the Division of Water’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program. In addition to sampling, duties include conducting data analysis and interpretation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, compiling reports and reference materials, and developing reporting outputs. Most duties will be performed in an office setting, but some day and overnight travel will be necessary. The position is located in Albany, NY.



Wallkill Valley Land Trust: Part-Time Temporary In-Person Survey Interviewer

More information


Seeking an outgoing, personable individual to administer bilingual survey questions (Spanish & English) in-person at designated sites across eastern Ulster County using a tablet. Surveys are being used to understand the needs of users and non-users of outdoor recreational areas. You should be comfortable approaching diverse strangers and initiating conversations in a friendly manner. Bias training will be provided. All surveying will take place in public locations during daytime hours. This is a temporary contractual (1099) position that pays $24 per hour for up to a maximum of 40 hours within the given date range. The timeline is from July 18-August 26. Payment will be administered in two parts: $480 after the first 20 hours are complete and $480 after the remaining 20 hours are complete. College credit offered.



GRANTS & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:


Hudson River Valley Greenway; Community Grant applications due November 4

More information


The Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program provides matching grants to Greenway Communities and Compact Communities. Greenway Communities are eligible to receive up to $10,000 to develop plans or projects consistent with the five Greenway criteria: natural and cultural resource protection, economic development, public access, regional planning, and heritage and environmental education. Higher amounts are awarded for intermunicipal projects. This grant program is open to municipalities that are within the designated Greenway area and have adopted a local board resolution to become a designated “Greenway Community.”



U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Landscape Scale Restoration. Applications due November 10, 2022 

More information

 

The Landscape Scale Restoration competitive grant program is designed to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes. This program supports, high impact projects that lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape, leverage public and private resources, and further priorities identified in each State Forest Action Plan or equivalent restoration strategy. Click here for more information and how to apply.



Environmental Protection Agency Region 2: Pollution Source Reduction Assistance in Communities Grants - Applications due by November 14, 2022

More information

 

Supports research, investigation, study, demonstration, outreach, education, and training using source reduction approaches (also known as “pollution prevention” and herein referred to as “P2”) in EPA Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight Indian Nations).



New York State Water Resources Institute: Water Resources Research/Outreach Project Pre-Proposals, Pre-Proposals due at 5pm on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022

More information

 

The New York State Water Resources Institute (WRI) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invites the submission of pre-proposals for applied research, outreach, and policy analysis to WRI in support of WRI’s statewide water resource research and outreach agenda, and the state’s watershed action agenda goals.




Department of Homeland Security: Flood Mitigation Assistance by January 27, 2023

More information

 

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) competitive grant program provides funding for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Local governments, including cities, townships, counties, special district governments, and tribal governments should apply directly to NY State. All sub-applicants must be participating in the NFIP. Check here for your community’s NFIP status, and here for more information and how to apply

 


Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities due January 27, 2023

More information

 

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) competitive grant program provides funding for natural hazard risk reduction activities that mitigate risk to public infrastructure, disadvantaged communities, and community hubs. The funds are also intended for projects that enhance climate resilience and/or incorporate nature-based solutions where applicable. This year, these programs will prioritize projects that benefit marginalized communities to further environmental justice. Click here for more information and how to apply. 


River Network: Community Leadership Programs for Climate Resilience

More information

 

River Network is looking to launch 5-7 NEW Community-Led Research (CLR) projects and Leadership Development (LD) programs in partnership with local organizations. Selected organizations receive up to $8,000 in funding and direct technical assistance to advance their project. We are particularly interested in partnering with organizations that are: 1. working to advance climate resilience, 2. focused on equitable outcomes and a credible stakeholder with communities that are at greatest risk, and 3. able to leverage or contribute to existing climate resilience initiatives.



New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health: Applications for Free Technical Assistance for Municipalities on Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) (rolling)

More information


The Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) is a state-run program created to assist municipalities with proactively protecting their drinking water sources. The goal is to help municipalities develop and implement their own unique drinking water source protection plan for the source(s) of their drinking water. In order to do so, the State is looking for communities to work with a technical assistance provider (TA provider), free of charge, to develop a DWSP2 Plan for their source of drinking water. TA providers will work with the community every step of the way, using the DWSP2 Framework, to develop a community specific DWSP2 Plan. As a result of this program, participating municipalities can use their newly developed DWSP2 plan to start implementing protection measures.



NYS DEC: Climate Smart Communities Coordinators Technical Assistance

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Climate Smart Communities Coordinators are available to provide free support services to municipalities across the state as part of the Climate Smart Communities program. Coordinators will assist and support local governments in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change through outreach, planning, education, and capacity building. Coordinators will also engage communities in participatory climate future scenario planning, developing climate change adaptation and resilience plans, and convening climate and transportation listening sessions to inform sustainable and low-carbon transportation policies. Capital District Regional Planning Commission will lead the multi-region Climate Smart Communities Coordinators teams for the eastern territory (Mid-Hudson, Capital Region, Mohawk Valley, and North Country). Program partners include the Adirondack North Country Association, the Hudson Valley Regional Council, Mohawk Valley EDGE, Planning4Places, Inc, and Climate Action Associates.



Capital District Transportation Committee & Capital District Regional Planning Commission: Community Planning Technical Assistance Program (rolling)

More information 


CDTC and the Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) are seeking applications for the 2022 Community Planning Technical Assistance Program. The program offers CDTC and CDRPC staff time and expertise to local governments undertaking small scale community planning initiatives. Municipalities or municipally convened groups (i.e. appointed committees, planning boards, etc.) within the designated planning area of the CDTC, the four counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga (except the Village of South Glens Falls and the Town of Moreau) are eligible to apply. If your community is interested in applying, you must contact CDRPC and CDTC to discuss your request. A cash or in-kind match contribution of not less than 25% of the actual project cost is required. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 2022.

The Hudson River Watershed Alliance unites and empowers communities to protect our shared waters.

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