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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HRVG and GPI Team Up for the 1st Annual Albany Hudson Electric Trail Clean Sweep
On Saturday, April 24th, Hudson River Valley Greenway (HRVG) and Greenman-Pederson, Incorporated (GPI) staff and family, teamed up for the 1st annual Albany Hudson Electric Trail Clean Sweep. We broke up into groups and cleaned up a majority of the off-road section of the trail in Rensselaer County removing everything from bottles, tires, a bench, and more.
Both HRVG and GPI then headed to a mitigation site at Schodack Island State Park and removed three truck loads of garbage. GPI also planted 100 riparian plants at the mitigation site. Check out the photos!
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Have You Started the Empire State Trail Challenge?
In April, Governor Cuomo announced a partnership between the Empire State Trail and the nationally-known Boilermaker race to create the Empire State Trail Challenge. This four-month virtual race engages you to register and log your miles to hit milestones along the Empire State Trail. You can run, walk, or ride anywhere geographically, on local trails and running/bicycling routes near where you live to log and complete the challenge.
"The Empire State Trail Challenge brings together two giants of outdoor recreation in New York State - our new 750-mile Empire State Trail and Utica's classic Boilermaker race," Governor Cuomo said.
The Boilermaker Empire State Trail Challenge extends through July 31, 2021. You can register now and begin logging your miles walking, running, or cycling. Find out more.
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Bring Your Bicycle Onboard Amtrak
Have you tried Amtrak's Carry-on bike program in the Hudson Valley yet? On September 8th, 2020, in response to low ridership Amtrak expanded their Carry-on bike program for most Northeast Regional departures. The program utilizes newly installed luggage racks that convert to bike racks to allow riders to bring their bike on the train. Bike capacity is limited and still expanding, so riders should call ahead of time to make a reservation for their bike.
This was an incredible win for cyclists in New York state and beyond. Cyclists can now bring their bicycles on the train from New York City to Buffalo or vice-versa. Learn more.
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Paddling Stewardship Program for NYS Canals Launched
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, along with the New York State Canal Corporation, has launched the NYS Canalway Water Trail Stewardship Program to help ensure the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain, and Oswego canals are welcoming and safe for paddlers. Individuals, families, groups, and organizations are invited to adopt a section of the 450-mile NYS Canalway Water Trail from May through October.
“As we invite more paddlers to use the NYS Canal System, we are providing resources, improving access, and now promoting good stewardship to ensure that paddling here is a world class experience,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “We are thrilled that outdoor enthusiasts, including boaters, cyclists, nature lovers, and paddlers, are enjoying this National Historic Landmark. With that, comes the need for good stewardship to protect the waterway.” Find out more.
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2021 Path Through History Weekend
On the weekend of June 19-20, 2021, New York will celebrate its first Path Through History Weekend of 2021. Events will take place throughout New York State. In 2012, Governor Cuomo unveiled the statewide "Path Through History," initiative that links historically and culturally significant sites, locations, and events throughout New York State. This effort to highlight our rich heritage aims to not only showcase the state's history and cultural significance, but also promote tourism and economic development in communities across the state. More details.
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News From Our Partners at the Hudson River Estuary Program |
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Important Reminders
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Join NYS ReLeaf’s Hudson Valley Committee for a Webinar on Climate and Community Forest Programs on May 6, 2021, at 12pm. More info.
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The New Flood Resilience Handbook for Hudson River Public Access Sites from Troy to Yonkers is Available on the Hudson River Estuary's Website. The Handbook was Developed to Assist Owners and Site Managers of Public River Access Sites to Adapt their Facilities to Existing and Predicted Flooding. Click here.
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Eels Arrive in Hudson River Tributary Streams
All along the Hudson River Estuary, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, teachers, students, and partner environmental organizations are participating in the Hudson River Eel Project to monitor migrating juvenile American eels.
This spring, the eels will be monitored at 10 stream sites along the Hudson River from New York Harbor to the Capital District. Volunteers and students will don waders and venture into tributary streams to check nets. The eels are gently counted from the net and placed in a bucket of stream water before being released.
Now in its 14th year, the Hudson River Eel Project was initiated by the Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve to gather data for multi-state management plans for eel conservation. Eel collection takes place at most sites daily from early-April through mid-May. Since the project began, volunteers have caught, counted, and released over one million juvenile eels into upstream habitat. Learn more.
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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.
Scenic Hudson's Quiz: The Hudson Valley’s Indigenous Heritage
How much do you already know about native customs of living in harmony with the Hudson Valley’s land, and about the meaningful place names that have been handed down and are still used today? Share and deepen your knowledge of Indigenous heritage with this quiz. Test your knowledge.
FOHK's 1658 Stockade National Historic District and Rondout National Historic District Self-Guided Walking Tours, Kingston, NY
Self-guided walking tours of the 1658 Stockade National Historic District and the Rondout National Historic District are available to download, pick up a brochure, or link to the Kingston Walks Audio Tour on your smartphone. Discover more.
John Jay Homestead Farm Market, Katonah, NY
Every Saturday: Customers can expect to find certified organic and biodynamic produce, ethically-raised, organic meat and eggs, as well as a wide variety of artisan food items with dozens of weekly vendors. Check out!
Tulip Tours, Washington Park, Albany, NY
May 3-14: Tulip tours with Albany's City Gardeners. Four tours daily. Book tour.
ReLeaf Webinar Series: Climate Change and Community Forest Programs (WEBINAR)
May 6: This lunchtime webinar will introduce you to programs that can help your community get climate-smart and prepare your community forest for the future. Find out more.
Primitive Navigation Workshop With Hike And Draw + Adventure Untamed, Harriman State Park, Sloatsburg, NY
May 8: Learn the different types of primitive navigation techniques and their uses. Then head out for a hike out to Pine Meadow Lake. Read more.
The Mother's Day Plant Sale, Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, NY
May 8: Find unique plants for your gardens and containers, deer-resistant plants, expert gardening advice as well as a raffle for a specimen tree. Learn more.
Mother's Day 5K, Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Hyde Park, NY
May 9: Taconic Road Runner Mother's Day 5K at FDR State Park. Find out more.
Saugerties Artists Studio Tour Pre-Show, Opus 40, Saugerties, NY
May 14 - June 11: Join Opus 40 for a showing of work from a selection of artists from the Saugerties Artists Studio Tour. This pre-show sneak peek shows off new work from 19 local artists. More info.
Spring Stroll and Virtual Family Cooking Class, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
May 15: Families are invited to participate in monthly outdoor walks at Olana and virtual healthy cooking classes with The Sylvia Center! More details.
Medicinal Weeds Walk, Boscobel House & Gardens, Cold Spring, NY
May 15: Join the Permaculture Arts Collective for a socially distanced, masked walk around the grounds of Boscobel to identify local weeds and discuss their medicinal applications. Read more.
NYS Museum Goes to the Park: Songbird Migration Walk, Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville, NY
May 15: Curator of Ornithology Dr. Jeremy Kirchman will lead the group on a guided walk along existing trails in Hudson Crossing Park and will set up mist-nets in the hope of catching and banding some migrants and to view some of these beautiful songsters up close. Find out more.
North American Invasive Species Forum (WEBINAR)
May 18-20: The North American Invasive Species Forum is an international event encompassing the interests of professionals and organizations involved in invasive species management, research, and regulation across North America. Read more.
Finding Less-Traveled Trails (WEBINAR)
May 19: Join experienced hiking/trail running guide and author of Circuit Hikes in Harriman Don Weise to discover trails less traveled. More info.
Museum Chartering 101: Mergers, Consolidations, and Dissolutions (WEBINAR)
May 20: Join Lauren Lyons, Chartering Coordinator at the New York State Museum, to learn more about the differences between consolidating and merging, what these application processes look like, and what the best options are for different circumstances. Find out more.
May Fair: Founders' Day, Hathorn House, Warwick, NY
May 22: The historic Hathorn House grounds will host fun for all on Founders' Day. Learn more.
Colonial Flax Processing, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, Fort Montgomery, NY
May 22: Using antique tools, discover how flax was processed into linen thread during the colonial era. See a flax break, scotching knife, heckles, and spinning wheel in action. Read more.
Native Pollinators and the Native Plants That Feed Them (WEBINAR)
May 23: Learn about native pollinators and the native plants that feed them. Read more.
Winnakee-Dutchess Trails Roundtable (WEBINAR)
May 25: These are typically quarterly meetings that promote collaboration and shared information on local and regional trails/systems. More details.
Best Management Practices for Roadside Invasive Species: A "How To" Workshop for Transportation Professionals (WEBINAR)
May 25: Learn roadside-specific prevention techniques and best management practices, as well as identification and management methods for roadside invasive species. Find out more.
Family Fun: Outdoors After School, Five Rivers Environmental Center, Delmar, NY
May 27: Come out to Fiver Rivers after school to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, and have fun outdoors. Learn more.
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Heritage Spotlight: Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome features one of the country’s largest collections of early aircraft, spanning the late 19th century through the 1940s. Among the rare (and, in some cases, extremely fragile) vehicles on view are a 1902 Wright Glider; a British Sopwith Camel, German Fokkers, and other mainstays of World War I dogfights; relics from the great barnstorming days; and planes with other familiar monikers, such as Bleriot, Curtiss, and DeHavilland. Many of the planes are still in working condition and are flown during weekend airshows. On Saturdays, the “History of Flight” show features early aircraft—including a 1909 Bleriot, the country’s oldest flying plane—as well as a simulated World War I dogfight. Visitors can book flights in an open-cockpit biplane that soars over the Hudson River and the surrounding countryside. The Aerodrome’s museum also displays antique autos, trucks, and motorcycles of the period. The museum opens for the season on May 1st, 2021. Learn more.
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Project Spotlight: Stony Point: Public Access to History Education and Scenic Viewpoints
The Palisades Parks Conservancy received a Heritage Development Grant to complete a trail project that improved public access at the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site. The project included the building of two safe outdoor landscape staircases at the site along an interpretive trail. One staircase leads to the 1779 outer defense earthworks, Flesch #3, and the other to the 1826 Stony Point Lighthouse lawn. Due to deterioration of materials and safety concerns, these two access points were closed to the public. Now completed, these two staircases provide visitors access to vantage points from which they can better appreciate the history and beauty of Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site. This project was completed with two separate efforts, one project in the Summer of 2018 and the other in the Summer of 2020. Learn more about the Palisades Parks Conservancy and Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site.
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Pick Up After Your Pet
Waste runoff can contaminate local waters and harm wildlife. 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.
Hart Family Fund for Small Towns
Grants from the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects in small towns. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for particular projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Deadline: May 3, 2021. Learn more.
Legends & Lore Grant
Commemorate special shared stories for generations to come with Legends & Lore roadside markers. Deadline: May 3, 2021. More details.
Cornell's 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.
NEH's American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grantmaking
The American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grantmaking program invites applications from organizations experienced at providing grants at a national or regional (i.e., multi-state) level to administer competitive grantmaking programs for humanities organizations or individuals who work in the humanities. Deadline: May 13, 2021. More info.
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.
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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