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Barnabas McHenry, Chair Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Kevin M. Burke, Acting Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Acting Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Acting Executive Director Greenway,
Acting Director National Heritage Area
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Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
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Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces $31,100 in Grants
At at recent meeting at the Henry Wallace Center of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum at Hyde Park, the Hudson River Valley Greenway awarded grants totaling $31,100
to communities in the Hudson River Valley. Among the recipients was the City of Newburgh, Orange County, which was awarded just over $7,500 to implement a Complete Streets Phase II demonstration project to increase pedestrian safety and connectivity. The Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County was awarded $6,100 to restore a segment of the Wappinger Greenway Trail and improve access. Additionally, the Town of Woodstock, Ulster County was awarded $10,000 to update its comprehensive plan, and the Village of Green Island, Albany County was awarded $7,500 to revise its zoning code.
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Women in Politics: A Conference Commemorating the Centennial of Women's Suffrage in New York State
The conference will start on April 21 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the FDR Library and Museum in Hyde Park. The Keynote speaker will be Dr. Allida Black, Editor, The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers. The event will include dinner and a cocktail reception. On April 22 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM the conference continues at SUNY New Paltz. Events on this day will include several presentations on the past, present, and future of women in social and political movements in NY State. The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is proud to be a sponsor of this conference. More details are available here.
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Register Your Event for the 2017 Hudson River Valley Ramble!
This year's Hudson River Valley Ramble
will be held September 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-October 1.
Submit your event by June 9th to be included in the Ramble booklet, which is distributed region-wide and beyond to high-traffic tourism destinations. Sponsorships are also available at all levels, and more information can be found here.
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National Park Week
April 15-23, National Park Week is America’s largest celebration of its national heritage. Come explore, discover, and enjoy America’s best idea—the national parks! You can enjoy free admission April 15-16, and April 22-23 to National Park sites such as the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Thomas Cole National Historic Site, and Martin Van Buren National Historic Site.
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Path Through History Weekend Event Registration Now Open
In 2012 Governor Cuomo unveiled New York State's "Path Through History," a statewide 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.
The Path Through History Weekend will be held this year
in two seasons: in the Spring from June 17-18, and in the fall from October 7-9. Host sites can participate in one or both of the weekends, and registration is now open. Register your event here.
I Love My Park Day
On Saturday, May 6, join volunteers at state parks, historic sites, and public lands across the state to help celebrate and spruce up park lands and beaches, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitat, and more. A last year’s event, 7,500 volunteers pitched in to give back to parks, completing 225 stewardship projects. This year's event is going to be the biggest yet, with more than 120 event locations, from Montauk to Niagara Falls. Five National Park Service sites are taking part, as well as 15 properties managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation in the Adirondack and Catskill regions and at four environmental centers. Visit the I Love My Park Day website to
find an event near you
and register to be a part of this fun and exciting day!
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Upcoming Events
Lunch and Learn Seminars
Dutchess Tourism Incorporated will host a series of five Lunch & Learn seminars on Wednesdays from
March 15 through April 12
from noon to 1:30 PM. Held at differing locations in Dutchess County each week, these free seminars are geared towards tourism related businesses and will feature content designed to help enhance the visitor experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunches and eat while they learn. To register or to get more information on these seminars, contact Dutchess Tourism at (845)463-5432 or email
here.
Bedford Audubon Nature Walks and Field Trips, Katonah, NY
The Bedford Audubon Society is hosting several activities throughout April including nature walks and field trips.
On April 8 from 8:00 to 11:00 AM, there will be bird watching at the Great Swamp in Patterson. On April 18 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM there will be a nature walk at Drew's Walk at Franklin-Fels Sanctuary in North Salem. On April 22 from 8:00 to 11:00 AM, there will be another nature walk at the John Jay Homestead in Katonah. A field trip will be going to Great Mountain Park in Paterson, NJ on April 23 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. On April 25, there will be another nature walk from 7:00 to 9:00 AM at Deans Bridge in Somers. A final nature walk to find spring warblers will be held on April 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 AM at Maple Avenue in Katonah. The second field trip of April will be to the Rye Nature Center on April 29 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. To register for any of these events or to learn more, please call (914) 302-9713 or email Susan here.
Wilderstein Spring Seminar Series: The Roosevelt Circle, Rhinebeck, NY
On Wednesdays in April at 2:00 PM the Wilderstein Historic Site in Rhinebeck will host a spring seminar series on the Roosevelt Circle who were some of Franklin and Eleanor's closest associates during their years in the White House. These seminars will be led by local historians Linda Bouchey and Albert Vinck. Seminars in the series will be on April 12, April 19, and April 26. For more information on these seminars please call (845) 876-4818.
100th Anniversary of America's Entry into WWI, Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, NY
On April 6 at 11:00 AM, The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor will conduct a commemorative program to mark the Centennial of America's entry into World War I.
The program will begin with a flag-raising and bell-tolling to recognize those lost during the Great War. The program continues with a presentation of the day's significance locally and for the nation. Staff members will wear period uniforms and a temporary exhibit of a World War I uniform and equipment will be on display.
Seating is limited and reservations are strongly encouraged.
Please call (845) 561-1765 to reserve your place.
Henry Knox and His Train of Artillery at Fort Montgomery, Fort Montgomery, NY
At 7:00 PM on April 6, Fort Montgomery will host a lecture on Henry Knox presented by local historian Bob Ulrich. General Knox played a critical role in the early period of the Revolutionary War transporting 60 tons of cannons and supplies through harsh terrain in winter conditions from Fort Ticonderoga, NY to Dorchester Heights just outside of Boston to break the British siege, and his
headquarters in Vails Gate embodies his story. T
o Reserve a Seat, Call (845) 446-2134.
World War I Centennial Commemoration, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY
To mark the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I in April 1917, Staatsburgh State Historic Site will offer its special theme tour, “World War I & the End of the Gilded Age.” The 90-minute tour, led by an interpreter in period clothing, is offered on Saturday, April 8, at 1:00 PM. From Noon to 4:00 PM, the site will also host a WWI re-enactor who represents Company C, 1st Battalion, 16th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. The presenter will talk about the experiences of soldiers in the war including what it was like once a soldier signed up, underwent training and then shipped out, along with wartime experiences. He will also answer questions and display reproduction wartime objects. Reservations are recommended. Please call (845) 889-8851.
Spring Family Fun Craft Workshop and Tulip Horseshoe Painting & Egg Hunt, Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, Goshen, NY
Bring the kids ages 3-11 to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame located at 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY on Saturday, April 8 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM for a fun-filled morning of seasonally oriented crafts, horse-themed games, an egg hunt and a ride on the Harness Racing 3-D Simulator.
During this event children will create a Tulip Horse Shoe Painting to celebrate the vibrant season of spring. Everyone will go on a hunt for eggs at 12:00 noon. Weather permitting, staff will lead participants through several outdoor and indoor horsey-themed games,
For further information please contact the Education Department at (845) 294-6330 or e-mail at education@harnessmuseum.com
Opening Day of
Grasshopper Grove Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall, NY
Come to the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, on Muser Drive across from 174 Angola Road, Cornwall on Saturday, April 8, at 10:00 AM for the opening day of Grasshopper Grove: Nature Play Area featuring special opening day activities. Ages 2-6. Admission: Not-yet-Members $3. Museum Members are free. For more information go to hhnm.org or call 845-534-5506, x204.
A Walk through History in Western Ramapo, Ramapo Saltbox Environmental Research Center (ERC), Ramapo, NY
The Historical Society of Rockland County invites you to join them for a walk through history on Saturday,
April 8
, 9:45 AM (rain or shine). Storyteller/environmental educator Chuck Stead will lead walkers, starting at the Ramapo Saltbox Environmental Research Center (ERC) on Torne Valley Road. Topics will include the history of the iron mines and ironworks, the Native American community, environmental issues, and the Torne Brook. Be sure to bring water and wear appropriate footwear for a wooded walk that may include asphalt, uneven gravel, and rocky dirt paths with mud likely. To register, click
here.
Rocks over Rosendale:The Geology of Joppenbergh, Rosendale, NY
On Sunday, April 9 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, join Professor Alex Bartholomew of SUNY New Paltz for a guided geology walk up Joppenbergh Mountain in Rosendale, NY. Learn about the bedrock, the mining history, and whether or not Joppenbergh is actually part of the Shawangunks! Meet at the Rosendale Municipal Parking area at Willow Kiln Park, behind Rosendale Theater. Sponsored by the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. For more information on this and other Wallkill Valley Land Trust events, or to register, please click here.
School Break Camp, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall, NY
The nature-based
School Break Camp
for children ages 6-9 will run from
Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14
from
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Each day, campers will join the Museum’s Environmental Educators to explore and play in the fields, ponds, and forests and take part in a variety of outdoor experiences. Campers should bring a lunch. Register by the day or for the full five day session. Pre-paid registration is required. For more information and to register visit here or call 845-534-5506, ext. 204.
Grants Workshop, Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY
The Capital District Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with a variety of agencies and organizations, will hold a day-long grant workshop at Hudson Valley Community College on April 12.
This event is for grant seekers, applicants, and managers. The workshop’s objective is to help attendees prepare to apply for competitive grant programs. The workshop will feature general sessions on grant writing and grants management using case study examples. Presenters will review the Consolidated Funding Application process from start to finish. During concurrent sessions, agency representatives will participate in a series of breakout sessions about grants available for water quality, energy and sustainability, and community development. More information here.
Vector-borne Diseases: A Lecture on the West Nile Virus, Bedford Audubon Society, Katonah, NY
On April 12 at 7:30 PM at the Katonah Village Library, Dr. Sarah Bowden, a postdoctoral scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies will give a talk on the ecology of the West Nile Virus, including its impact on human and bird populations. For more information, contact Janelle Robbins
here
.
Rethinking our Streets: A Regional Partner's Perspective, Rockland Community College, Suffern, NY
An educational session will be offered by the Rockland Municipal Planning Federation at Rockland Community College on April 13 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
. This session will will focus on streets, which are a vital part of livable, attractive communities. It
will be the second event presented as part of the "A Year of Transportation" program, a year-long series of presentations and workshops aimed at Rockland's transportation needs. For more information and to
RSVP, contact Arlene Miller, (845) 364-3448 or email here to reserve your spot.
Hyde Park Trail Walkabout Kickoff Trail Hike, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY
On Saturday, April 15, 1:00 PM hikers will meet at the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site parking lot. This event kicks off the 26th year of Hyde Park Trails with a guided hike on the original, 3-mile section of the Hyde Park Trail from the Vanderbilt Mansion to the Home of FDR.
New Windsor Cantonment Opens for the Season, New Windsor, NY
On April 19, the New Windsor Cantonment opens for the season. Revolutionary War living history will be on display Wednesdays to Saturdays 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sundays 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Demonstrations of musket firings, blacksmithing and other aspects of daily life will help visitors understand military life during the American Revolution. More information on the site and its activities is available here.
Extended Hours Begin at Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, NY
April 19 is the start of expanded operating hours at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, in Newburgh. The site will be open to visitors every Wednesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and every Sunday, 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Call 845-562-1195 for further details and directions.
Free Teacher Workshop and Field Experience at Saratoga NHP, Stillwater, NY
On April 20, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM educators will provide an in-depth look at the educational opportunities available to schools at the Saratoga National Historic Park. The experience will include a guided tour of the Saratoga Battlefield examining the events which led to the American victory in 1777 and turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. More information can be found here.
Earth Day Celebration at Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain, NY
The Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park will host an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22 from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Join the staff and resident animals for a day of family fun! Learn about animals, the environment, and ways you can help Mother Earth and lessen your carbon footprint. For more information call (845) 786-2701, ext. 265 or click here.
Recycling on Earth Day, Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, Hyde Park, NY
On Saturday, April 22, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm (rain or shine) Earth Day will be celebrated at the Farm Lane parking lot located on Rt 9 in Hyde Park. The event is free to the public as the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt NHS is hosting their first annual Recycling Day in recognition of Earth Day, 2017. This community event will focus on promoting sustainability and recycling, and allow people to bring things to recycle and reuse. There will also be kids programs throughout the event. More information is available here.
Earth Day Celebration and Annual Hike-A-Thon, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall, NY
On Saturday, April 22 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM come to the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, entrance on Muser Drive, across from 174 Angola Road, Cornwall, and enjoy a full day of events: Hike-A-Thon – Hike for a Purpose: 9:30 a.m. Earth Day Celebration 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Earth Day is a family friendly event and includes A “green zone” of child friendly games and activities, farm animals, live music, hay rides, nature play at Grasshopper Grove and more! $5 per car-load suggested donation at entrance. For information visit here or call 845-534-5506 x204.
Mt. Gulian Historic Site Opens for the Season, Beacon, NY
Mount Gulian Historic Site in Beacon opens for the season on Sunday, April 23. Tours of the historic home, Dutch barn, and restored garden will be given every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday through October 29th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tour at 4 p.m. For more information, directions and event listings call 845-831-8172 or visit the Mt. Gulian Historic Site website here.
Hudson River on the Rise: Waterfront Planning for Communities and Nature Conference, Hyde Park, NY
This day-long conference held on Thursday, April 27 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Wallace Center at the FDR Presidential Home and Library in Hyde Park will convene riverfront stakeholders to advance resiliency planning for the Hudson estuary's unique natural and community resources in lite of conditions related to climate change. Speakers with expertise in science, planning and design, resource management, and decision-making processed will discuss the natural history of the river; emerging issues and opportunities that will shape future waterfront planning; shoreline jurisdictions and decision-making roles; and innovative case studies from Hudson River communities. For more information and to register, please click here.
Newburgh Volunteer Fair, Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, NY
Not-for-profit organizations from Newburgh and the surrounding area are all cordially invited to take part in the 7th annual Newburgh Volunteer Fair at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site on Saturday, April 29, 11 AM until 3 PM. The annual fair provides organizations with a forum to raise awareness of their great work and their needs to keep it going. As they share their stories, members of the community will visit and, potentially, volunteer to lend a hand. This event is organized by the site in partnership with Safe Harbors of the Hudson and the Newburgh Free Library. For more information, or to set up a table, please call 845-562-1195.
Hudson Heritage Fair, Poughkeepsie, NY
On Sunday, May 7 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM, the Locust Grove Estate will host the 3rd Annual Hudson Valley Heritage Fair. The event is open to the public and will feature living history presentations and demonstrations, as well as exhibits from historic sites in the Hudson River Valley. It is a great opportunity for organizations to feature their historic sites. Registration for exhibits for the fair will be accepted until April 24. For more information, please call (914) 592-6726.
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Heritage Spotlight: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
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Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is located in Tarrytown, NY and has been listed on both the New York State and the National Registers of Historic Places. The idea for the Cemetery originated with Washington Irving and Captain Jacob Storm as the Villages of Tarrytown and North Tarrytown were growing and additional burial space was required locally. The Cemetery was formally opened (as Tarrytown Cemetery) in 1849. Within this 90-acre cemetery, one can Walk the very hills that Washington Irving, famous author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, once did and pause at his final resting place. Andrew Carnegie's lovely Celtic cross isa short distance away. Labor leader Samuel Gompers' grave is just across the road from this titan of industry. Other notable stops include William Rockefeller's imposing mausoleum, Henry Villard's exquisite sculpture and the stained glass windows in the Helmsley mausoleum. Guided daytime and evening tours are available starting April 1st, with special events throughout the year, including a spot in the Hudson River Valley Ramble. More information about Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
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Project Spotlight: The World of Anna and Susan Warner
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The Putnam History Museum recently received a National Heritage Area Grant of nearly $9,000 for their joint exhibition of the World of Anna and Susan Warner in collaboration with the Constitution Island Association. This exhibit, located at the Putnam History Museum in Cold Spring, NY, tells the story of the Warner Sisters who were both famous novelists in the 19th century. The exhibit focuses on their lives on Constitution Island near West Point, and the impact and legacy of their written work. The sisters individually wrote a total of 67 novels including one of America's first best sellers, The
Wide, Wide World
by Susan Warner. The sisters were also authors of numerous works of children's literature, religious hymns, and poetry. The exhibition features drawings, photographs, books, manuscripts, and other objects from the Constitution Island Association. Information about the exhibit can be found
here.
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Grant Opportunities
Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program
Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline May 5. More here.
Hudson River Estuary Grants Program- Due April 6, 2017. Grants from $10,500 to $1,000,000 are for Tributary Restoration and Resiliency. These grants help communities in the Hudson River estuary watershed improve water quality, increase flood resiliency, and conserve natural resources. More information is available here.
2017 ANJEC Grants for Open Space Stewardship Projects- Due April 7, 2017. ANJEC is now accepting applications from environmental commissions for grants of up to $1500 each for local open space stewardship projects. More information about the grants and how to apply is here.
Restoration of Watershed Connectivity
The
New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
(NEIWPCC), in cooperation with the Hudson River Estuary Program, is inviting proposals for projects that will help restore aquatic habitat connectivity for herring and eel, and reduce localized flood risks and conditions on Hudson River Estuary tributaries.
The deadline for applications is April 14, 2017 at 12 noon. More here.
Open Space Institute's Conservation Diversity Fellowship
This program seeks candidates pursuing professional experience in the conservation field. The Fellowship is a full-time, salaried, one-year position in New York City offering candidates the chance to work with colleagues and leaders at the Open Space Institute to accomplish meaningful conservation goals. Deadline to apply is April 15. More here
Roosevelt Home Garden Internship
American Conservation Experience, Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking a
Roosevelt Home Garden Project Outreach Coordinator Intern
to support the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site. The main duties include introducing the garden to the community, explore already identified community needs and wishes, and help to define what our public outreach for the Roosevelt Home Garden (RHG) will look like. More information here.
USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced funding for approaches to benefit farming, ranching, and forest operations, local economies, and the communities and resources in a watershed or other geographic area. Program priorities include projects that address climate change, improve agricultural energy management and efficiency, and prevent flooding and drought. Deadline April 21. More information here.
New York State Assembly Grants Action News
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More
here
.
Grants Available to Improve Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites
Parks and Trails New York and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation have teamed up to provide grants funded through the Environmental Protection Fund. More
here
.
NYSCA/GHHN Collection Needs Assessment Program-Supplies Grants
This program provides two opportunities for grants for supplies to museums in New York State.
The application portal
opens on April 1, 2017. Applicants who have consulted with an appropriate professional may request funds to purchase collections management supplies. Maximum award: $750. Deadline May 1. More information about this program is available here.
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Green Tip of the Month: Composting at Home
Currently, yard waste and food scraps represent up to 30% of what we throw away. Most of this refuse ends up in increasingly overburdened landfills. But did you know you can help alleviate this problem while at the same time enriching your soil and reducing your carbon footprint? One way you can do this is by building an outdoor backyard compost pile, or by purchasing a compost bin for indoor use. If managed properly, both will allow you to create naturally recycled usable material to enrich your soil within a span of several months. Help the environment and your property by composting. Details on composting can be found here.
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