April 2018
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 
Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
A New Online Story by Hudson Talbott, Introduces Thomas Cole to a New Generation
Beloved children's book author and illustrator Hudson Talbott teamed up with the Thomas Cole Site to present "Thomas Cole's Story" online for free to children of all ages. The story introduces the 19th-century artist, economic migrant, and founder of America’s first major art movement to a new generation of young readers in conjunction with the Bicentennial of Cole’s arrival in America in 1818. The online story is a 14-page excerpt from the forthcoming publication  P icturing America: T homas Cole And The Birth of American Art , which will be published by Penguin Random House in the Fall of 2018. Read Thomas Cole's Story here .
Register Now for I Love My Park Day
Spring is here, and online volunteer registration for the seventh annual I Love My Park Day is now open! On Saturday, May 5, 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. Last year over 8,000 volunteers took part in more than 250 projects at 125 state parks, historic sites and public lands throughout New York State. This year's event has 125 event locations, from Montauk to Niagara Falls. Four National Park Service sites are taking part, as well as 18 properties managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation in the Adirondack and Catskill regions and at four environmental centers. Get Involved here .
Hudson Valley Rail Trail Expansion
Construction has begun for the last two-miles connecting the Ulster County Rail Trail and the Dutchess County Rail Trail. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, Director of the Empire State Trail Andy Beers, and other officials recently announced the start of construction for the final two-miles that will stretch from Tony Williams Park in the Town of Lloyd and South Street in New Paltz. This relatively small stretch will al low the Hudson Valley Rail Trail to expand further westward and will be part of Governor Andrew Cuomo's 750-mile Empire State Trail stretching from Canada to New York City and Buffalo. The final two-miles should be completed in the late Fall of 2018. Read more here .
Hudson River SkyWalk Project
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced major milestones in the Hudson River SkyWalk project, a scenic pedestrian trail and part of the Empire State Trail. The Skywalk will link the Olana State Historic Site and Thomas Cole National Historic Site via a pedestrian walkway. The roughly one mile long sidewalk of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge has been completely rebuilt by the New York State Bridge Authority, with the addition of three scenic viewpoints, each 50 feet long by 10 feet wide. These scenic viewpoints will provide the public with unparalleled views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.Governor Cuomo also announced Phase 3 of the project, which will create a pedestrian friendly roundabout that will provide tourists a direct connection from the east end of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to the Olana State Historic Site. Phase 3 is scheduled for substantial completion in fall 2018.Learn more here .
Call for New Writings: "Essay On American Scenery"
How is the American landscape changing? Is there something you see, do, or experience now that you hope will be around for future generations? In honor of Thomas Cole's Essay on American Scenery, The Thomas Cole National Historic site is calling for new writing on the topic of the changing landscape. Writers are invited to send works that reflect on the landscape and the changes within, which may span the natural world, climate, physical strata or the shifting social and political landscapes, or the changes seen in your neighborhood, city block, or a single building or natural feature. On the occasion of this Call for new writing, the Thomas Cole National Historic Site is pleased to announce a new multi-media exhibition with Albany International Airport presented at the Airport that will bring together Cole’s Essay on American Scenery with artwork by contemporary artists, historic objects and materials, and the selected writing from this Call. Learn more here .
Register Now for 2018 Path Through History Weekends
There will be two 2018 Path Through History Weekends: 
Spring - Father's Day weekend (June 16-17, 2018) 
Fall - Columbus Day weekend (October 6-8, 2018)
Host sites can participate in one or both of the weekends; there is no obligation to participate in both. Registration is now open here , so register your event today!
Upcoming Events

Bird Walks, Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain, NY
April 10: Join SCA educator Emily Enoch of Trailside Museums & Zoo for a bird walk around Hessian Lake! The group will meet in front of the Bear Mountain Inn. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and bring binoculars. Find out more here .

Legacy Planning: An Education and Training Opportunity, Agroforestry Resource Center, Acra, NY
April 10: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties will be hosting Their Land, Their Legacy: A Workshop on Legacy Planning to Keep Forests as Forests. Dr. Shorna Allred, Associate Professor, Cornell University, will help participants by connecting them with Legacy Outreach Resources to help landowners consider the future of their forest. Learn more here .

The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Speaker Series-Food Justice, FDR National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY
April 11: Join Amani Olugbala, a storyteller who weaves music, film, speech and poem into art that addresses social injustice, honors the ancestors and inspires transformation. As Assistant Director of Programs at Soul Fire Farm, Amani works with a crew of beautiful people committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system. Read more here .

Dutchess Tourism Hosts Free Seminars, Poughkeepsie, NY
April 11 & 18: Dutchess Tourism, Inc. will host their Lunch & Learn Seminars on Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. These free seminars are geared toward tourism-related businesses and participants are encouraged to bring their lunches to eat while they listen to the presentations. There will also be time for networking with other participants and the speakers. Learn more here .

"Tragedy and Triumph: Early Civil Rights in Rockland", New City, NY
April 14: Dr. Travis Jackson was entering the fourth grade when Thurgood Marshall came to Hillburn to help in the desegregation of the village's schools. Dr. Jackson will lead this informative walking tour around the Hillburn village and describe the important civil rights event that took place in 1943. Find out more here .

Custer’s Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America, Mt. Vernon, NY
April 14: Author and historian T.J. Stiles received the Pulitzer Prize for his 2016 biography, Custer’s Trials: A Life on the Frontier of a New America. His talk, based on that book, examines the life and times of the infamous cavalry commander killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, including a surprising connection to St. Paul’s Church. Light refreshments served. Learn more here .

Mounted Staghorn Fern, Sheldrake Environmental Center, Larchmont, NY
April 14: Turn your wall into a garden. Mount a Staghorn Fern onto a board to create a living work of art. You will learn how to care for your fern, so it will thrive indoors for years to come. This program is best for participants age 10 and up. This program is Free for Members and $10 for Non-Members. Learn more here .

Waterfalls Geology Walk, Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY
April 15: Spring is the best time to enjoy waterfalls in the park. Rushing streams cascade down rocky slopes at Paint Mine and Hop Field, and flow off the cliff above the Indian Ladder Trail. The rocks beneath the water are the cause of all the drama. Come and explore the geology while you take in the beauty of the falls. Call 518-872-0800 to register. Read more here .

Annual Daffodil Tea, Wilderstein Historic Site, Rhinebeck, NY
April 16: Nothing says spring like daffodils! Enjoy a memorable afternoon with fine tea and an assortment of homemade delectables. Also included is a tour of the Wilderstein Mansion and the opportunity to stroll the estate as the landscape comes back to life. Find out more here .

Wild and Wacky Woodcock Walk, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany, NY
April 17: Join Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission staff for our annual hike through the Pine Bush to watch the elaborate flight displays of the American Woodcock. Free! Registration required. Learn more here .

A Presentation by Doc Bayne, Iona Island State Park, New City, NY
April 19: In this program, Doc Bayne sheds light on this fascinating island in preparation for our "Walk through History" on May 12. Doc explores the island's forgotten history, from its prehistoric Native Americans occupation through the colonial farms and settlements of Salisbury, and then Weygant's, island, as Iona was known. Find out more here .

April 21: The Chancellor’s Sheep & Wool Showcase is a family festival that celebrates historic fiber arts, culture, and craft. We host a shopping concourse featuring over 30 skilled artisans and local craftspeople. The Showcase boasts over two dozen local vendors, and is a great place to support small businesses! Read more here .

Hike-a-Thon, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall, NY
April 21: Now in its 12th year, the Hike-a-Thon is one of the Museum’s primary fundraisers and all of the money raised goes directly to supporting the Museum’s educational programming. Following the Hike-a-Thon will be Hudson Highlands Nature Museum's Earth Day Celebration. Find out more here .

Nest Box Monitoring Workshop, Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY
April 22: This training will teach you to identify the birds using the birdhouse or nest in your yard and how to monitor the progress of the nestlings. Learn how to obtain and record data and how to keep your baby birds safe from harm. We will go outside to try out your new skills and conduct nest box checks in our fields. Call 872-0800 to register for this free program. Read more here .

Finding Funds for All Your Collections Management Needs (WEBINAR)
April 24: Presented by Greater Hudson Heritage Network and funded by the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, t his webinar provides an overview on the storage of object collections focusing on best practices and low-tech solutions. The program is designed for staff and volunteers at museums, historical societies, libraries, and archives. The webinar will provide an analysis of best practice for organizing and furnishing collection storage rooms on a budget as well as identifying grant opportunities for the preservation and conservation of damaged or endangered collections and historic interiors from state, federal, and foundation funding sources. Learn more here .

Citizen Science: Frog Watch, Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Albany, NY
April 26: Join us this evening to listen to a spring chorus of frogs and toads. We will hike approximately two miles over rolling terrain to conduct a short survey and document the frogs and toads that we hear. Free! Registration required. Learn more here .

Hudson Valley Affordable Housing Summit, White Plains, NY
April 26: Last year Congress passed the most sweeping overhaul of the federal tax code since 1986, and the proposed federal budget substantially decreases funding for affordable housing while Hudson Valley home prices continue to rise. In this new and complicated environment, the Hudson Valley Affordable Housing Summit will provide an overview of the current state of affairs and present strategies for increasing affordable housing in a variety of contexts. Find out more here .

Moonlit Hike, Schodack Island State Park , Schodack Landing, NY
April 28: Enjoy the park trails under the moonlight. Please call the Park at (518) 732-0187 to register, and check-in at the program. We will leave at 7:30pm, so please come early enough to check-in. The walk will cover about two miles of fairly easy terrain. Please dress appropriately for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes. Read more here .

Citron Melon Jam Session, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
April 28: Citron melons- and the delicious jam made from them- were a springtime staple in 19th century New York. Join us in making your own take-home fresh citron melon jam and learning other seed crafts. Find out more here .

3rd Annual Newburgh Urban Farming Fair, Newburgh, NY
April 28: The Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Initiative (NUFFI) is an active network of local residents and community organizations who take ownership of their neighborhoods by installing and caring for neighborhood community gardens. Come for free fun for the entire family. Learn more here .
Heritage Spotlight: Locust Grove Estate
Locust Grove was the country estate of telegraph pioneer Samuel F.B. Morse and the first Hudson River estate to be designated a National Historic Landmark. With the help of architect Alexander Jackson Davis, Morse remodeled the house in the Tuscan style, adding a porte cochere, two wings, and a four-story tower. The Morse's sold the property to William and Martha Young in 1901 and the Young's filled the mansion’s 25 rooms with their collections of 18th and 19th century furniture, paintings, silver and porcelain. Conscious of the estate’s importance, the Young’s daughter opened the house to the public in 1979 with her family’s collections intact. The 200 acres of landscaped grounds are set on a sharp bluff overlooking the Hudson River and retain the large flower and kitchen gardens planted and designed by the Young's. A visitor’s center houses exhibits of Morse’s paintings and telegraph equipment. Walkers can stroll on the carriage roads that wind through the estate grounds. Learn more here .
Project Spotlight: Town of Marlborough's Comprehensive Plan
The Town of Marlborough was awarded a Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant for the creation of an updated Comprehensive Plan. The Town of Marlborough's Comprehensive Plan was over a decade old and consisted of outdated data that was in need of revision. Commercial and residential sprawl has been considered a problem in Marlborough as locals desire to maintain the Town's rural and agricultural character. Marlborough's updated Comprehensive Plan has been purposed to reflect the current needs, goals and opportunities in the town. As Marlborough continues to evolve, the community is looking toward continued enhancements of the historic hamlets and waterfront areas, management of traffic, land use and aesthetics of the highway corridors, fostering economic development, enhancing agriculture, and conserving important open spaces and natural resources.By bringing their Comprehensive Plan up to-date, Marlborough will deter sprawl while still fostering economic and community development.
Green Tip of the Month: A Home Run!
A leaky faucet that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes will waste an estimated 3,000 gallons of water per year. So stop wasting time and water, fix it as soon as possible. Learn more here .
Grant and Funding Opportunities  

Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program
Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: May 4, 2018 . More  here .

National Heritage Area Sponsorship's 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 complementing 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. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at [email protected] or 518-473-3835.

Teaching the Hudson Valley Explore Awards
These matching grants are intended to create opportunities for students to explore the history, environment, and culture of the Hudson River Valley, connecting their studies to significant places. They encourage students’ appreciation for and stewardship of their communities and cultures, and connect teachers with site educators and place-based learning. Eligible expenses include transportation and admission fees to eligible Hudson Valley locations for school groups. Read more here .

Challenge Cost Share Program
Round up some partners and grab your tools! The NPS Challenge Cost Share Program is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Trails and Wild & Scenic Rivers systems. Challenge Cost Share ("CCS") projects are intended to build collaboration between the National Park Service and project partners.  For FY 2018, the program will provide $386,000, to be matched 1-to-1 by non-federal funds and in-kind support.  We anticipate supporting approximately 20 projects. The maximum Challenge Cost Share project support is $25,000. Applications are being accepted until May 25, 2018 . Learn more about the program here .

Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
Preservation Assistance Grants help small and mid-sized institutions—such as libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, cultural organizations, town and county records offices, and colleges and universities—improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections. These may include special collections of books and journals, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, moving images, sound recordings, architectural and cartographic records, decorative and fine art objects, textiles, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, furniture, historical objects, and digital materials. Receipt Deadline  May 1, 2018  for Projects Beginning January 2019. Find out more here .

NAGPRA Repatriation Grant
Section 10 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to museums, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations for the purposes of assisting in consultation, documentation, and repatriation of Native American “cultural items,” including human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number for NAGPRA Grants is 15.922. NAGPRA grants are appropriated by Congress annually as a part of the Department of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act. Deadline June 1, 2018 . Read more here .

ESD Strategic Planning and Feasibility Studies Program
NYS Empires State Development’s Urban and Community Development Program promotes economic development in the State of New York by encouraging economic and employment opportunities and stimulating development of communities and urban areas. Program funding is available for working capital grants of up to $100,000 each to support 1) strategic development plans for a city, county, or municipality or a significant part thereof and 2) feasibility studies for site(s) or facility(ies) assessment and planning. Projects should focus on economic development purposes, and preference shall be given to projects located in highly distressed communities. Special consideration shall be given to projects supporting Regional Economic Development Council Opportunity Agenda priorities, Downtown Revitalization Initiative projects, and projects identified in the NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program recovery plans. Learn more here .

National Trust Preservation Funds
Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects. 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. Application deadlines are June 1 and October 1, 2018. Read more here .

National Fund for Sacred Places
Sacred places have played a critical role in shaping the character of our communities—receive grant funding to keep these historic places as an important part of our national cultural heritage. The National Fund for Sacred Places provides training, planning grants, and capital grants from $50,000 to $250,000 for congregations of all faiths. Letter of Intent deadline is April 17, 2018 . Visit  www.FundforSacredPlaces.org  for more details, including eligibility requirements, guidelines, and online application. The National Fund for Sacred Places is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in collaboration with Partners for Sacred Places.

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. 
Grants from the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns generally range from $2,500 to $15,000. The selection process is very competitive. The review process is generally completed within three months of the application deadline, and applicants are notified via email once the review process is complete. Deadline: May 1, 2018 . Learn more here .

NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program
A partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN) that provides support for treatment procedures by professional conservators to aid in stabilizing and preserving objects in collections of museums, historical and cultural organizations in NYS. Support of up to $7500 is available for conservation treatment of paintings, works on paper, textiles, furniture, frames, sculptures, historical, ethnographic, and decorative objects owned by eligible organizations. Funding is also available for treatment costs for supports, frames, stands and mounts that are integral to the treatment of the object. Deadline: June 1, 2018 . Read more here. 

NYSCA/GHHN Collection Needs Assessment Program
The Collections Needs Assessment Program is a NYSCA/GHHN Grant partnership program which provides two opportunities for museums across New York State. The Site Assessment Program (maximum award $650) will support professional services for a collections consultant who will come to your organization for a half-day site visit focusing on a collections related topic. The Supplies Program (maximum award $750) enables applicants who have consulted with an appropriate professional to request funds to purchase collections management supplies. Requests for archival or library collections will not be supported. Deadline: June 1, 2018 . Read more here .

NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program Funding Opportunities:
Tributary Restoration and Resiliency : Funding for projects to help restore free-flowing waters to benefit water quality, conserve and restore habitat, and increase flood resiliency for communities in the Hudson River estuary watershed. The information below provides details about applying for projects in the Hudson River estuary watershed. Due April 18, 2018 . Read more here .

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More  here . 

Volunteers Needed at the Vanderbilt Mansion and Home of FDR
The March storms have taken a harsh toll on the Vanderbilt Mansion and Home of FDR landscapes. The National Park Service is seeking volunteers to help park staff gather downed limbs throughout the park. Debris will then be chipped or hauled away by park staff. Get involved here .

Volunteer Opportunities at Olana State Historic Site
The Olana Partnership and Olana State Historic Site are looking to fill a wide variety of positions with dedicated volunteers. As a volunteer you’ll have the unique experience of representing one of the Hudson Valley’s most iconic historic sites, serving over 170,000 visitors annually. Learn more here .
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