Important Reminders

• Greenway Planning and Trail Grant Applications are Due by September 6, 2024. More Details.

• National Heritage Area Event Sponsorships are Due by August 15, 2024. More Details.

• HRVG is Requesting Quotes From Photographers for the 2024 Hudson River Valley Ramble. Read more.

• Join our Team: Full-Time Finance Manager. Learn more.

• Register Now for GHHN's Deep Dive Workshop at Ten Broeck to Learn More About Theft and Vandalism for Your Collections on September 25. Learn more.

• Register for our "Cycle Back in Time" on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail! Learn More.

Ramble With Us in September!

Join us for the Hudson River Valley Ramble's 24th year this September. 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 over 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 Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as well as the amazing landscapes, communities, and trails throughout the region.

The Ramble is presented by the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and is sponsored by The New York State Division of Tourism “I Love NY”; The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program; The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and The National Park Service.

For more information, contact us at Ramble@HudsonGreenway.ny.gov or call us at (518) 473-3835.

Register for HRVG's Cycle Back in Time on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail

Be a part of the Hudson River Valley Greenway's inaugural guided trail ride! Experience the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET), a non-motorized “rail trail” suitable for cyclists of all abilities. The group will stop at various points of interest to learn more about the first interurban rail line to use an electrified third rail, the site of the largest amusement park between NYC and Montreal in the early 20th century and get a behind-the-scenes look at the North Chatham Trolley Depot. This leisurely ride will begin at North Chatham and head south to Kinderhook where participants will have time to enjoy ice cream and snacks and - shop on their own. Learn more.

Thomas Cole National Historic Site Celebrates Opening of New Visitor Center

On July 22, Thomas Cole National Historic Site cut the ceremonial ribbon marking the opening of the Cole Center, the historic site’s purpose-built visitor center. The new building transforms how visitors experience the national historic landmark, orienting visitors upon arrival toward the Catskill Mountains that inspired the artist and early environmentalist Thomas Cole (1801-1848). The new building and its bluestone forecourt present a panoramic vista of the historic campus and mountain views.

The Cole Center was designed pro bono by Stephen Shadley, the renowned New York City-based interior and architectural designer, who is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. He is best known for creating homes for Hollywood stars including Jennifer Aniston and Diane Keaton.

The Cole Center is the first cultural building that Shadley has designed. It puts the natural setting and historic campus in the foreground of the new structure, which opens onto the forecourt through an expanse of nearly 20-foot-high windows. Those windows embrace and reflect the dramatic view of the Catskill Mountains, and the center’s muted green exterior allows it to recede into the landscape. The exterior design references and draws inspiration from Thomas Cole’s 19th-century architectural designs, one of which – his 1846 New Studio building – was previously reconstructed and is part of the

historic campus now framed by the view from the new building. Read more.

Cycle the Hudson Valley Is in Full Motion

Cycle the Hudson Valley is on it's way to New York City! They left Troy on August 4 and the riders will finish seven days and 200 miles later in the Big Apple. Organized by Parks & Trails New York, the 2nd annual Cycle the Hudson Valley bike tour has brought together cyclists between the ages of 19 and 81 from 27 states and Canada traveling 35-70 miles per day–exploring the communities, culture, history, and scenic landscapes of the iconic Hudson Valley. Learn more.

Utilize Your Local Nature Bus

Ride the Nature Bus in Albany or Ulster County.

In Albany, CDTA provides the Beaver Line and Warbler Line that bring riders to points of interest like Six Mile Water Works Park, the Albany County Rail Trail, Five Rivers Educational Center, and Thacher State Park! This collaborative project with the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) started in 2021 and has connected thousands of people to natural places in and around Albany during its tenure. Learn more about CDTA's Nature Bus.

In Ulster County, UCAT provides the River route, Ridge route, and mountain route that brings riders to points of interest like Kingston Point Beach, Sojourner Truth State Park, Shaupeneak Ridge, and more. The program was initiated by County Executive Jen Metzger in collaboration with UCAT and the Office of Tourism to expand opportunities for our residents. Learn more about UCTA's Nature Bus.

Important Reminders

• Learn About Proposed Changes to NY's Freshwater Wetland Regulations. Read more.

How to Submit Comments on the Draft Freshwater Wetland Regulations

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encourages the public to comment on the proposed freshwater wetland regulations. Comments will be accepted through September 19, 2024, and can be submitted via e-mail to WetlandRegulatoryComments@dec.ny.gov (subject: “Wetlands Part 664 Comments”) or via mail to NYSDEC, Attn: Roy Jacobson, Jr., 5th Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4756.

The public can also provide comments during virtual and in-person public hearings. The virtual public hearings are scheduled for September 10 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. An in-person public hearing is scheduled for September 12 at 1 p.m. at the DEC office at 625 Broadway, Albany, NY.



The draft proposed regulations, guidance for submitting public comment, and registration for the public hearings can be found on DEC’s website.

Upcoming Events

Learn About Bats, Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain, NY

August 16: You'll learn about the fascinating nocturnal lives of our local bats, see them flying overhead as our bat detector identifies them, and have some nighttime fun with bat crafts and games! More info.

Saturday Special: Painted Rocks, Senate House State Historic Site, Kingston, NY

August 17: Visitors can try their hand at hand painting rocks at our craft table outside of our museum building. Read more.

Creativity Walk on Wawarsing Turnpike and Jenny Lane, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson, NY

August 18: Bring along a sketchbook and any art materials you feel comfortable carrying for a four-and-a-half mile hike along some of Minnewaska's lesser-known footpaths with Josh Grosse. More details.

Twilight Music in the Park, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, Highland, NY

August 20: Listen to talented musicians from the Hudson Valley Folk Guild and beyond at the Ulster Welcome Center Plaza from 6-7 p.m. More info.

Garden Tours and Volunteer Opportunities, Jay Heritage Center, Katonah, NY

August 22: Spend a morning by our calming reflecting pool or wander through our new Japanese Cherry tree allée. Read more.

The New York Campaign: 1776, Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, Stony Point, NY

August 24: Site Historian Michael J. F. Sheehan will present a lecture with maps and illustrations on this gripping and dangerous year of the American Revolution, when the cause was almost lost. Find out more.

Building a Case For ESBs in your Fleet including Benefits, Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO), and Emissions Calculators (WEBINAR)

August 28: NREL’s $5 million Clean Bus Planning Awards Program provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for fleets. Register.

John Burroughs Slabsides Geology Ramble, John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary, West Park, NY

August 31: Join Jeff Walker for a hike to read the many stories in the rocks at the Nature Sanctuary. Learn more.

Labor Day Weekend Festival, Hurds Family Farm, Modena, NY

August 31: The orchard has 24 different varieties of apples, 35 activities to keep the whole family engaged, including a hayride, bounce pillow, mini zipline, cow train, and bin train ride. Find out more.

Hold History in Your Hands: White Glove Tour, Mount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon, NY

September 1: Visitors will hear about Mount Gulian’s centuries-long history that shaped our nation, including its part in the Revolutionary War and more. More details.

Guided Nature Hike, Westmoreland Sanctuary, Mount Kisco, NY

September 2: Join a guided nature hike to learn about nature in the summer, forest and pond ecology, Westchester history, and native plants and animals. More info.

Papscanee Island Nature Preserve Walk, Papscanee Island Nature Preserve, Castleton, NY

September 5: Enjoy a 1-hour walk through the preserve and discover the various species of plants and animals that make the Hudson River shoreline their home. Learn more.

Walking Tour of Public Art, Cunneen Hackett Theater, Poughkeepsie, NY

September 6: The guided walking tour includes over 45 indoor and outdoor murals, sculptures, historical monuments, and architecture in a three-block area of downtown Poughkeepsie. Find out more.

Matthew Vassar Treasure Hunt, Springside, Poughkeepsie, NY

September 7: Join volunteers of Springside Landscape Restoration for a guided tour of Andrew Jackson Downing's historic landscape. More details.

Kayaking & Walking Tour, Muchattoes Lake, Newburgh, NY

September 8: Join the Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance and the Newburgh Waterways Center along with other community partners for a day of play along the waterway! More info.

Deep Dive: Security Solutions, Ten Broeck Mansion, Albany, NY

September 25: This full-day workshop, which will be led by conservator and preservation consultant Donia Conn, is a deep dive into the theft and vandalism of collections. Read more.

Cycle Back in Time on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, North Chatham Trolley Depot, North Chatham, NY

September 29: Join the Hudson River Valley Greenway for our inaugural guided trail ride on AHET! Learn more.

Heritage Spotlight: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, Albany County

Situated atop a bluff that once offered commanding views of the Hudson River, this Georgian-style home belonged to Philip and Catherine van Rensselaer Schuyler. A descendant of one of Albany’s most powerful Dutch founding families, Philip Schuyler was among the four men appointed major general by the Continental Congress at the onset of the Revolutionary War. He later served in the U.S. Senate. Schuyler entertained several political figures while residing here, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and son-in-law Alexander Hamilton. Today, spacious rooms are decorated with a combination of Schuyler family furnishings, period pieces, and reproductions. A visitor center next to the house contains an orientation exhibit on the Schuyler family and Philip Schuyler’s varied careers as an entrepreneur, military leader, farmer, and politician.  Learn more.

Project Spotlight: Village of Athens Street Tree Inventory Update and Management Plan



The Village of Athens in Greene County received a Community Planning Grant to update the Athens Street Tree Inventory and Management Plan. Trees in the Village of Athens and everywhere have an important environmental public health role by absorbing greenhouse gases. The Village of Athens established a Tree Committee in 2018, which was eventually absorbed into their Conservation Advisory Council. The purpose of these committees has been to protect and enhance the Village tree cover – what is called the “community forest.” In 2018 the Friends of Athens group, cooperating with the Village, commissioned an inventory of close to 400 Village “street” trees, i.e., trees on public property that line the Village streets. Also, 40 new street trees were planted Village-wide using privately-raised funds. HRVG funds allowed the Village of Athens to update its 2018 tree inventory and develop a Community Forest Management Plan. Learn more.

Improve the Outdoors

Plant a deciduous (leafy) tree that loses its leaves in fall on the south side of your home. Its shade will cool your house in the summer. After the tree’s leaves fall, sunlight will help warm your house in winter. Trees help clean the air we breathe. They produce oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide. Learn more.

More Grant and Funding Opportunities

Green Resiliency Grants

$60 million is available for the inaugural round of the Green Resiliency Grant (GRG) program. The new program will prioritize grants to flood-prone communities and help them undertake innovative green infrastructure projects such as green roofs, green streets, and permeable pavement. This initiative delivers on elements of Governor Hochul’s clean water and resiliency plan to protect New Yorkers from extreme weather. Deadline: August 16, 2024. Learn more.

Veteran and Spouse Transitional Assistance Grant Program

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will make grants available to eligible organizations for the provision of transition assistance. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are separated, retired, or discharged, as well as their spouses, will benefit from receiving the services provided. Each year approximately 200,000 Service members are separated from the military. Veterans and dependents report significant challenges when transitioning from military to civilian life. These grants will be awarded to eligible organizations that provide employment-based resources and tools, to help these Veterans and spouses overcome employment and financial challenges. Deadline: August 23, 2024. Read more.

2024 NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grants

Support for treatment procedures by professional conservators to aid in stabilizing and preserving objects in collections of museums, historical, and cultural organizations in New York State. Deadline: September 3, 2024. Find out more.

Northern Border Regional Commission Grant Program 

The Catalyst Program is designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire partnerships that improve rural economic vitality across the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) four-state region. The Catalyst Program supports a broad range of economic development initiatives that will: modernize and expand water and wastewater systems; revitalize transportation infrastructure; establish workforce development programs and facilities; grow outdoor recreation infrastructure and economies; and construct new childcare and healthcare facilities. Only available in Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Washington County. The next pre-application deadline is September 6, 2024, and full application deadlines are due October 18, 2024. More info.

Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program

This program provides funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. Deadline: September 23, 2024. Learn more.

2024 Good Jobs Challenge

The Good Jobs Challenge supports regional workforce training systems to establish sectoral partnerships that train and place workers in good jobs. The awardees funded by the Good Jobs Challenge expand opportunities across diverse populations, regions, and communities, focusing on coordinated and comprehensive approaches to removing systemic barriers for workers through support services such as childcare and transportation, and opening doors to a variety of paid on-the-job training opportunities. Deadline: September 27, 2024. More details.

Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program

The RCP Program focuses on improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation, and foster equitable development and restoration, and provide technical assistance to further these goals. Deadline; September 30, 2024. Read more.

Technical Assistance Grants

The TAG Program provides support for planning studies or analyses of New York State’s historic resources that serve an arts and/or cultural function. TAG funds consulting reports only, completed by architects, engineers and/or other design and preservation professionals. These grants do not fund capital construction costs, architectural plans and specifications, schematic designs, or construction documents. Pre-app Deadline: October 11, 2024. Final Deadline: October 18, 2024. More info.

Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program

The EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy. Applications will be accepted until November 21, 2024. Learn more.

Candevra Foundation Grant Program

The Candreva Environmental Foundation is a New York state-based organization that provides seed money for local environmental education initiatives and projects that engage young people in environmental service. Awards of up to $500 can be used for materials, printing costs, student and teacher travel, communication costs, and other project-related expenses. Grants are limited to Westchester and Putnam Counties. Deadline: June 1, 2025. Find out more.

The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund

The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund helps to build the capacity of existing preservation organizations and encourages collaboration among these organizations by providing grants for mentoring and other peer-to-peer and direct organizational development and learning opportunities. More info.

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.

RuggedRidge Trail Access Program

The Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program by RealTruck is for all who wander off the beaten path, whatever travel method they choose. Since our shared lands are used by hikers, bicyclists, trail runners, and motorized vehicles, we created this initiative to protect public trail access for everyone. Fueled by its mission to create, protect, and maintain – RealTruck will donate up to $5,000 per organization depending on the needs and scope of the project. Grants are designated for use toward education, stewardship, legal fees, or any other activity advocating the conservation of public and private land, as well as access to recreational trails. Rolling deadline. More details.

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 

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

Kevin M. Burke, Chair, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley,

Co-Chair, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

Margaretta “Meg” Downey, Chair, Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council, Co-Chair, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area

Andy Kitzmann, Executive Director, Hudson River Valley Greenway,

Director, Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area