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 September 10, 2021. More details.
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Hudson River Valley Ramble Will Feature Nearly 150 Events
The 21st Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble is back after canceling last year’s Ramble due to the pandemic with nearly 150 exciting events and for the first time ever it will be held every day throughout September. Each year, the Hudson River Valley Ramble brings tens of thousands of people outside to enjoy the Hudson Valley’s distinct cultural heritage and scenic beauty during the Northeast’s most beautiful time of the year. The Ramble provides people of all ages an opportunity to experience the cultural landscape of the Hudson River Valley by hiking a trail, visiting a historic site, or paddling on the river. For a complete listing of events, visit www.hudsonrivervalleyramble.com.
Ramble events are led by naturalists, ecologists, historians, geologists, and trained volunteers from nearly 100 organizations. Events include hikes, walking tours, paddles, festivals, historic site tours, open houses, and family-friendly activities. The Hudson River Valley Ramble celebrates the history, culture, and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as well as the amazing landscapes, communities, and trails throughout the region.
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Governor Announces Project to Improve 3.5 Additional Miles of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
The trail segment runs from Cragswood Road in the Town of New Paltz, south through the Village to the Empire State Trail trailhead at Sojourner Truth Park. The 3.5-mile trail segment was originally constructed several decades ago and needs rehabilitation. The project will remove the aging trail surface and install a new 10-foot wide bicycling and walking path, install drainage improvements to prevent trail erosion, and make safety improvements including installing signage and marked crosswalks at eight locations where the trail crosses public roads. The work will start in July and be completed by October. Trail users may encounter short-term trail closures on some weekdays to accommodate construction; no trail closures will occur on Saturdays, Sundays, or Holidays.
The Hudson River Valley Greenway has committed $900,000 to complete the project. The improvements will be constructed by the Open Space Institute, a non-profit organization that completed a similar project in 2020 to improve an adjoining 9-mile trail section in the Towns of Ulster and Rosendale which is also part of the Empire State Trail route. Read more.
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NYSDOT Repaves Segment of Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail
The New York State Department of Transportation resurfaced a 2.8-mile segment of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail along the Hudson River between the Albany city line and the 4th Street trailhead and parking lot in the City of Watervliet in Albany County. The project provided a smoother and more durable surface for users of this popular recreational path, which offers scenic views of the Hudson River and is one of the Capital Region’s most popular recreational attractions. It is also a key link in the historic Empire State Trail system.
The work created a uniform 10-foot-wide surface for bicyclists and pedestrians by removing and replacing older, uneven patches of the trail pavement that were in need of updating due to age and the growth of tree roots. The entire length of the project was then overlaid with new pavement.
The repaved trail segment intersects with the recently opened Menands shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists along the side of the Exit 6 entrance ramp to Interstate 787. The nearly one-mile-long path opened in January and links the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail to Broadway in the Village of Menands, giving users the ability to go directly from the riverfront trail to downtown Menands without having to traverse the interstate. Read the full press release.
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OPRHP Improves Grounds at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site
The $1.8 million project funded under NY Works included the repair of existing bluestone walkways, enhancement of accessible parking, new fencing, and improvements to accessible paths on nearly seven acres of grounds overlooking the Hudson River. The Pathways and parking are now ADA compliant.
The East Gate was also reinstalled and established an ADA-compliant path to the recently restored Tower of Victory, which was built in 1887 to mark the centennial of victory in the War for Independence. A new 60-foot flagpole and new flags also were added with support from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Friends of the State Historic Sites of the Hudson Highlands. Read more.
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American Trails' Webinars Are Now Free to the Public
American Trails, a national, nonprofit organization will now be offering their Advancing Trails Webinar Series for free. They record all of their webinars, offer an unedited closed caption transcript, and include the resources slide with links provided by the presenter(s) relevant to the webinar topic. The webinars also include learning credits, which are now also free, where offered.
There are 120+ webinars on a variety of trail-related topics including advocacy, planning, building, design, maintenance, management, funding, and more! Browse all AT's webinars where you can filter by date, title, category, and most viewed. Learn more.
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Help WVLT Manage Invasives
Wallkill Valley Land Trust (WVLT) intern Marguerite Royo, a recent SUNY New Paltz graduate, is working to gather data at the Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary and Joppenbergh Mountain as part of an Open Space Institute-funded project that will result in an invasive species management plan and needs your help.
Observations uploaded to iMapInvasives before August 15 will be used in Marguerite’s project, and will help guide WVLT's invasive species management now and in the future. Find out 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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Hudson River Foundation Released a Request for Hudson River Fund Research Proposals by August 27th. Find out more.
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Invasive Fish Caught in the Hudson River
The New York State Department of Environment Conservation's (DEC) Marine Fisheries captured four round gobies at two locations in the Hudson River approximately 12 and 25 miles downstream of the Troy dam during routine fish sampling on July 13th and 14th marking the first documented occurrence of this invasive fish in the Hudson River.
The round goby is native to the Black and Caspian seas and was likely introduced by ballast water to the Great Lakes in the 1990s. It has the potential to cause ecological and recreational impacts. These fish are voracious feeders and compete with native species for food and spawning habitat. Their diet includes small invertebrates, mussels, and the eggs of native species and popular sportfish such as smallmouth bass and walleye. They also can be a nuisance to anglers.
If you catch round goby in the Hudson, take multiple photographs from different angles, and record the date and location of capture. Email photographs and information to: isinfo@dec.ny.gov.
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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.
EDA's Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Funding (WEBINAR)
August 3: This webinar is part of a series of webinars about the newly announced EDA funding opportunities through the American Rescue Plan. More details.
Identifying & Reporting Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-heaven with NY iMapInvasives (WEBINAR)
August 7: NYS is seeking volunteers like you to look for two invasive species in your area: Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-heaven. Read more.
Art In The Garden, Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Catskill, NY
August 7: Explore the historic kitchen garden with new creative activities. Find out more.
Outdoor Science and Astro Show, Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, NY
August 8: Join HRM to learn about scientific phenomena through outdoor demos. More info.
A.T. Vista Event, Fahnestock State Park, Philipstown, NY
August 8: A 2.4-mile loop hike on the Appalachian Trail starting on an old narrow-gauge railbed and returning on the 3 Lakes Trail past an old mine. Learn more.
Prospect Park Picnic, Prospect Park, Troy, NY
August 10: The Hart Cluett Museum invites you to join us for a picnic at Prospect Park! More details.
Managing High-Use Trails: Why Trail Stewards Are A Necessity In Creating Safe, Sustainable Trails (WEBINAR)
August 11: Learn how trail steward programs have worked to make the public better informed, more responsible trails users while protecting the resource. Find out more.
The Pollinators, Tilly Foster Farm Event Building, Brewster, NY
August 11: The Pollinators, directed by Peter Nelson, will present you Beekeepers, farmers, scientists, chefs, and academics to give a broad perspective about the threats to honey bees, what it means to our food security and how we can improve it. More details.
New Work from Melora Kuhn, Opus 40, Saugerties, NY
August 11-September 17: Drawing from American history, fairy tales, and mythology, Kuhn takes specific images and alters them accordingly, in an effort to examine patterns of thinking and ways of being. Learn more.
Homestead Seek & Find Game, John Jay Homestead State Historic Site, Yonkers, NY
August 13: Visit the Carriage Barn to pick up a copy of this month's Seek & Find game. Bring your completed game sheet back to the Carriage Barn to claim a prize! Read more.
Flower Arrangement: Ikebana, Glebe House, Poughkeepsie, NY
August 14: Learn about the history and culture of ikebana and develop basic skills to create one design to take home. Register now.
Dog Day After Noon: Bow-wow Story Hour, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
August 14: This is a special canine-themed story hour in honor of National Dog Month on the lawn adjacent to the mansion. As a treat, bring your special furry friend on a leash to hear the adventures of happy hounds. More info.
3rd Westchester County Militia, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, Fort Montgomery, NY
August 15: The troops of the 3rd Westchester County Militia Regiment will conduct military drills, cook their meals and display original examples of items that would have been present at a Revolutionary War garrison. Find out more.
Forest Therapy Guided Walk, Holt Preserve, New Scotland, NY
August 15: Go for a guided relaxing stroll through the Holt Preserve. Learn more.
Museum Resources Webinar Series - Holocaust Museum and Center for Tolerance (WEBINAR)
August 16: Learn about their virtual and in-person opportunities such as videos, lesson plans, and classroom resources adaptable for virtual or in-person learning. More info.
CDTC Complete Streets Summer Series: Open Streets (WEBINAR)
August 17: What are Open streets and why are cities and towns around New York and across the country doing them? Read more.
Junior Naturalists: Art in the Park: Painters of the Hudson River School, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson, NY
August 18: Learn about famous local artists of the 19th century who painted the natural beauty of New York State, including the Hudson Valley. You will take a hike to a scenic vista of the Park Preserve for inspiration, then do some painting of your own. More details.
Racial Equity & Environmentalism (WEBINAR)
August 18: This presentation will provide the history of the construction of race, while also examining environmental policies that have had a layered impact on the environmental movement and contributed to the racial homogeneity we see today. Find out more.
Willow Weaving Star Craft Workshop, Beatrix Farrand Garden, Hyde Park, NY
August 19: This is an intro to willow weaving craft workshop with master weaver and farmer Jesica Clark. They'll teach you how to make a woven willow star to take home. Learn more.
Full Moon Twilight Tour, Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, NY
August 21: Listen to remarkable stories as we visit lovely monuments of Oakwood’s interesting residents. Read more.
Pollinators, Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo, NY
August 21: Learn about the crucial role these insects play in the environment and how their declining numbers are having an impact on our everyday lives. More info.
First Columbians 2021, James Vanderpoel House, Kinderhook, NY
August 21: Join CCHS for a magical late summer evening on the lawn of the James Vanderpoel 'House of History' as they raise a belated birthday toast to this Federal landmark. More details.
Nature on the Move, Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park, Wilton, NY
August 23: Enjoy this gentle walk outdoors. Learn more.
The Natural Histories of Marianne North and Frederic Church (WEBINAR)
August 24: In this webinar, The Olana Partnership will examine the life and work of Marianne North through the lenses of Victorian gender roles and practices of imperial science, while drawing parallels between Church and North as travelers, painters, and ultimately, collectors on a global scale. Read more.
Canoe Trips at Iona Island, Bear Mountain State Park, Stony Point, NY
August 24: Guided by estuary educators from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, these trips are a great way to see Rockland from a different perspective while learning about the importance of freshwater wetlands. See more.
Interpretive Walk for Children: A Horse’s Life, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY
August 28: Go for a children's hike on the grounds of Staatsburgh and learn the many roles that horses played on a Gilded Age estate. Find out more.
Bird Photography Workshop, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville, NY
August 29: Join wildlife photographer Bill Golden for a bird photography workshop beginning with an instructional overview, followed by a walk through the Preserve to put your newfound skills to the test. Learn more.
Monday Funday Explorers: Creek Critters, Five River Environmental Center, Delmar, NY
August 30: Join a naturalist to get wet as you explore the Vlomankill stream to look for and examine the critters that live in the water. Read more.
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Heritage Spotlight: Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site
When the British captured this rocky peninsula in May 1779, they began to construct an earthen fortress intended to disrupt Washington’s Continental Army in the Hudson Highlands and block the King’s Ferry crossing below. Two months later, on July 16, George Washington and Brigadier General Anthony Wayne launched a daring nighttime assault that surprised the garrison and allowed American forces to gain control of the fort within a half hour. Today, the site features a self-guided walking trail and a museum displaying artifacts uncovered during archaeological digs. Also on the grounds is the Stony Point Lighthouse, the Hudson River’s oldest, which protected the southern entrance to the Hudson Highlands from 1826 to 1925. Learn more.
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Project Spotlight: Using Clio to Map Historic Sites in Westchester
The Westchester County Historical Society (WCHS) received a Heritage Development Grant to create entires of all 231 National Register of Historic Sites in Westchester County in the Clio App. "Clio" is an open-source app to create entries that can be used to create lesson plans, walking tours, and more. Each entry includes GPS location on Google maps, a short overview, images, a 4-6 paragraph back story, at least three scholarly citations, and links to related reference material, websites, and videos. WCHS also utilized interns and staff to create three tours in the app which include the Westchester African American History Trail, Westchester Colonial History Tour, and Westchester Arts Tour. The app will be used to upload new tours and add entries. Check out the entires in Westchester County.
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Wisely Buying Facial Tissue Paper
The average US citizen uses 50 pounds of facial tissue paper per year. Try to buy the highest content of post-consumer recycled content, looking for either 100% recycled or FSC certified tissue or toilet paper. 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: September 10, 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 September 10, 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 September 10, 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.
Pomeroy Foundation - New York State Historic Marker Grant Program
The Hungry for History™ grant program celebrates America’s food history by telling the stories of local and regional food specialties across the United States. This program is designed to commemorate significant food dishes created prior to 1960 and the role they played in defining American culture and forging community identity. Hungry for History is intended to help communities nationwide put the spotlight on their renowned locally and regionally created food dishes with historic roadside markers. The letter of intent deadline is August 9, 2021. Read more.
The National Endowment for the Arts - American Rescue Plan Grants to Organizations
NEA is offering this program to distribute American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to arts organizations across the country. The funds will help preserve jobs and support arts organizations in communities of all sizes for assistance with general operating costs. Deadline: August 12, 2021. More info.
Hudson River Fund Research Proposals: Small Grants Focused on Innovation and Synthesis
The Hudson River Foundation has issued a Call for Proposals for innovative approaches to understanding current and emerging issues for the Hudson River estuary and watershed. Deadline: August 27, 2021. Find out 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.
NYSCA Recovery Grants
Recovery grants support arts and cultural nonprofit organizations negatively affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Deadline: September 1, 2021. Learn more.
Department of the Interior Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program
This program, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, is a nationally competitive grant program that delivers funding to urban areas — jurisdictions of at least 50,000 people — with priority given to projects located in economically disadvantaged areas and lacking in outdoor recreation opportunities. Deadline: September 24, 2021. Read more.
Transportation Alternatives Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
This funding is available to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path, and non-motorized transportation-related projects and programs that support the goals of New York's national-led Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Deadline: September 29, 2021. More details.
Department of the Interior and Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program
The Coastal Program is a voluntary, community-based program that provides technical and financial assistance through cooperative agreements to coastal communities, conservation partners and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands. Deadline: September 30, 2021. More info.
NYSCA Organizational and Individual Artist Recovery
Support will broaden individual artist support and deliver extremely flexible funding for organizations through a streamlined application experience. Grants offered in this round will greatly expand eligibility and encourage new applicants across a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural practices. Priority will be given to applicants that serve historically underrepresented communities. Funding opportunities include: Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Special Opportunities, and the NYSCA Recovery Fund. This round will include competitive applications with full panel review. Deadline: September 30, 2021. Find out more.
Public Engagement with Historical Records
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: October 6, 2021. More info.
Regenerate NY Cost-Share Grants
Through Regenerate NY, landowners can apply for financial assistance for projects on their land that support the establishment and renewal of healthy forests. This is a cost-share reimbursement program, so all costs must be incurred by the landowner or fiscal sponsor before they can be reimbursed. Deadline: October 8, 2021. Read more.
Build Back Better Regional Challenge
The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is designed to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. Phase 1: 50-60 regional coalitions of partnering entities will be awarded ~$500,000 in technical assistance funds to develop and support three to eight projects to grow a regional growth cluster. Deadline: October 19, 2021. Phase 2: EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions $25 million to $75 million, and up to $100 million, to implement those projects. Deadline: March 15, 2022. Learn more.
Park & Trail Partnership Grants
The program is administered by Parks & Trails New York and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is designed to:
- Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance, and promotion of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands.
- Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York State parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands.
- Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways, and public lands.
Deadline: Early December. Learn more about the Park & Trail Partnership Grant Program.
Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Research Fellowship
The two-year Margaret A. Davidson fellowship brings a graduate student to conduct research at the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (the Reserve) to address a key coastal management question. The annual stipend for a Margaret A. Davidson fellow is $41,000 for research and travel, and an additional equipment and supply budget of approximately $7,000. The research that is conducted at the Reserve is intended to be a substantial part of the fellow’s degree research. Deadline: December 10, 2021. More details.
Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program
Through the Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, EDA is focused on accelerating the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors. $750 million of EDA’s American Rescue Plan funds are allocated to support the following efforts: State Tourism Grants: $510 million in non-competitive awards to help states quickly invest in marketing, infrastructure, workforce, and other projects to rejuvenate safe leisure, business, and international travel. The state tourism grants are accepted on a rolling basis. Competitive Grants: $240 million to help communities that have been hardest hit by challenges facing the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors to invest in infrastructure, workforce or other projects to support the recovery of the industry and economic resilience of the community in the future. Deadline: March 15, 2022. More info.
Economic Adjustment Assistance Program
The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. A wide range of technical, planning, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and public works and infrastructure projects are eligible for funding under this program. Deadline: March 15, 2022. Find out more.
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.
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