April 2019
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, Acting Executive Director Greenway,
Acting Director National Heritage Area 
Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
Hudson River Train Tour App Receives MANY's 2019 Award of Merit in Excellence in Digital Design
The Hudson River Train Tour App by the Hudson River Valley Greenway and National Heritage Area, OnCell, and partnered with the National Park Service received an Award of Merit in Excellence in Digital Design by the Museum Association of New York (MANY). The awards committee thought it was a compelling submission, remarking that “...this is one of the best things happening in our state and should get recognition for how it connects the public to our history and heritage.” 

The mobile app introduces you to castles, lighthouses, mansions, and more. You’ll see many intriguing sites along the rail lines, including a number of bridges, lighthouses, estate homes, and picturesque landscapes. Part travel guide, part audio tour, the app not only identifies these waterside wonders-it helps you plan visits to the historic, natural, and cultural attractions located near Hudson Valley train stations.

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 free  Hudson River Train Tour app , you’ll discover what’s out that train window…and beyond. Read more .
Event Submission for the 20th Anniversary of the Hudson River Valley Ramble is Now Active
The event submission page for the Hudson River Valley Ramble is now live and ready for you to submit events. Help us celebrate the historic 20th Anniversary of the Hudson River Valley Ramble, by hosting events, attending events, spreading the word, sharing our social media posts, and getting involved with one of the most anticipated event series in the Hudson Valley!

The Hudson River Valley Ramble is an annual event series that celebrates the history, culture and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as well as the amazing landscape, communities, and trails throughout the region. Every September, ‘Ramblers’ come not only from the Hudson Valley region and New York State, but from other regions of the country as well to discover the riches our Valley has to offer.

The 20th Anniversary of the Ramble will take place on August 31, September 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29 of 2019! Have more questions? Contact us.
DEC Announced 50-Acre Addition to Catskill Park
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that New York State has acquired 50 acres of property in the town of Catskill, Greene County. The lands will become part of New York’s Forest Preserve. DEC acquired the property for $1 from Edward Maby. The property had been in the Maby/Mabie family since 1896. The parcel is now part of the Windham Blackhead Range Wilderness Area in the Catskill Forest Preserve. The parcel contains a northern hardwood forest with maple, beech, and birch trees dominating the landscape, along with pockets of hemlock trees. Animal species that can be found on the site include white-tailed deer, black bear, bobcat, porcupine, and fisher. Recreational opportunities on the parcel include hiking, hunting, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The site contains about 1,400 feet of frontage on the Old Catskill Mountain Turnpike, which DEC maintains as a hiking trail that leads to the former Catskill Mountain House site at North-South Lake campground. Foundations of the historic Rip Van Winkle House site can be found along the trail. Read more .
Launching the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail Facebook
In Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address he announced the addition of a sister water trail to the Empire State Trail. In light of this effort, the Greenway has launched a Facebook page for the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail. The Hudson River Greenway Water Trail is 1 of only 21 National Water Trails and is open to recreational paddlers of all experience levels. With more than 100 designated access sites and 256-miles of water trail going up the Hudson River, the water trail is easily accessible to local and visiting paddlers all around the Hudson Valley region.

Will you take a minute to like the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail's Facebook ? To find out more information on the water trail check out our website .
Hudson Rising: 200 Years of Environmental Change
Hudson Rising: 200 Years of Environmental Change is a new exhibit on view at the New-York Historical Society Museum and Library in Manhattan. The exhibit explores two centuries of ecological change, artistic imagination, and environmental thinking along what one writer called, “the most interesting river in America.” This comprehensive exhibition, rich in art, artifacts, and stories, evokes beloved Hudson River landscapes and weaves together 200 years of history. Spanning the industrial era,  Hudson Rising  presents a compelling account about how the Hudson has been an incubator for our ideas about the environment and our relationships to the natural world. Curated by Marci Reaven, vice president of history exhibitions, and Jeanne Haffner, associate curator.  Discover more .
Sign Up for I Love My Park Day
Registration is now open for the eighth annual I Love My Park Day, to be held on May 4, 2019 at state parks, historic sites and public lands across New York. The event, sponsored by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York, is a statewide event to enhance parks, historic sites and public lands and raise awareness and visibility to the state outdoor recreation assets and their needs. Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in cleanup events at more than 130 state parks, historic sites and public lands from Long Island to Western New York and covering all regions in between, including sites operated by the Department of Environmental Conservation, the National Park Service and municipal parks. Sign up .
Ships vs. Boats – How Close is Too Close?
When it comes to recreational boats and commercial ship traffic, separation is key. Some boaters, however, may not recognize the dangers of navigating close to a commercial ship. Two 30-second videos captured by a pilot at the helm of 600-plus-foot commercial vessels navigating on New York’s Hudson River are aimed at educating recreational boaters on this risk and improving recreational boat safety.
In one of the videos, a recreational boat and personal watercraft cross directly under the bow of a 623-foot bulk carrier underway near the waterway’s Bear Mountain Bridge, then disappear out of view from the ship’s helm for more than 7 seconds – plenty of time to put the boaters and their passengers at risk.

For more info on safe boat operation and ships, go to BoatUS.org/rulesoftheroad .
Path Through History Weekend!
On the weekend of  June 15-16 , New York will celebrate the first of two Path Through History Weekends in 2019. 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. Events taking place throughout the Hudson Valley during both Path Through History Weekends on June 15-16 and October 12-14 are listed  here .
Upcoming Events

The Future of Moose: A View From Vermont, Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar, NY
April 2: The moose, the largest mammal to walk in the Northeast since the mastodon, was eliminated from much of the region, including all of New York, before the Civil War. Even as a regional recovery was underway in the 1970s and 1980s, and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, from hunters to hikers, celebrated their return, an ominous storm was forming on the horizon. Join Scott Darling, Big Game Director for Vermont Fish and Wildlife, as he tells the story of moose in Vermont and what this storm means across the region and the country. Learn more .

New York State Wetlands Forum, Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs, NY
April 2-3: The New York State Wetlands Forum is an organization that facilitates communication among scientists and managers around all kinds of wetlands issues. Once a year they hold their annual Conference and Meeting. More info .

Paddling Film Festival World Tour Event, New Country Subaru, Saratoga Springs, NY
April 3: For 14 years, the Paddling Film Festival World Tour has been showcasing the very best paddling films. The World Tour screens in more than 120 cities around the world. You'll be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle and appreciate the wild places. Find out more .

Major General Israel Putnam: Hero of the American Revolution , Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, Fort Montgomery, NY
April 4: Robert Ernest Hubbard's book, the first full-length biography of Putnam in more than a century, re-examines the life of a general whose seniority in the Continental Army was second only to that of George Washington. This talk will cover Putnam's personal life and military career, including his service in New York State in the French and Indian War and in the American Revolutionary War. More details .

Jams at Jay, Jay Heritage Center, Rye, NY
April 5: Jams at Jay chase winter blues away! Enjoy bluegrass, jazz, or R & B accompanied by seasonal beverages, bites and more at our cozy 1907 Van Norden Carriage House.  Read more .

Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association Monthly Star Party, Lake Taghkanic State Park, Ancram, NY
April 5: The Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association hosts a monthly stargazing party in the West Beach parking lot. Bring your own telescopes and binoculars or use those provided by our members. Discover more .

First-Saturday Guided Mindfulness Hike, Sheldrake Environmental Center, Larchmont, NY
April 6: The experience will include some movements to warm up our bodies, mindful breathing, hiking with awareness, nature meditation, and an opportunity to share your experience and build community with a tea ceremony. Learn more .

Amphibian Walk, Poestenkill Community Forest, East Poestenkill, NY
April 6: C heck a pond and a vernal pool for early breeding frogs and salamanders. Learn to identify calls and egg masses, and will discuss the differences in breeding and larval development between frogs and salamanders. If spring thaw permits, look for wood salamanders and stream salamanders. Find out more .

Spring Volunteer Day, Ashokan Center, Olivebridge, NY
April 6: Get outside and help the Ashokan Center do a little "spring cleaning" to get ready for the next season. Volunteers receive a complimentary lunch and a 50% discount on tickets to the evening's  "Bach-N-All" dinner, dance, and midnight concert . Read more .

AJUMA, Yonkers Public Library, Yonkers, NY
April 6-7: AJUMA, an original work written and performed by spoken word and visual artist Katori is holding two Pin the gallery of the Yonkers Riverfront Library. Learn more .

Tales of Croton Point: A Colorful History, Warner Library, Tarrytown, NY
April 7: Join Marc Cheshire, Village Historian of Croton-on-Hudson, and Carl Oechsner, “backyard historian” and a founding member of Croton Friends of History, present one of their popular illustrated talks recounting these stories and more of a major feature on the Hudson. More info .

Sunday Salon: Catskill Creek and the Science of Landscape, Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Catskill, NY
April 7: Join Dr. Haffner, Associate Curator of Hudson Rising exhibition at the New-York Historical Society, as she considers contemporary debates over the Anthropocene—the idea that humankind is not separate from nature but a force of nature in itself—and Cole’s paintings of Catskill Creek from the 19th century. More details .

Streamlining the Land Use Review and Approval Process, Dutchess County Farm & Home Center, Millbrook, NY
April 9: Communities have been processing applications for land use approval for decades, encountering new challenges and difficulties, and crafting solutions to each one when encountered. Because of this, many communities have developed their land use approval processes, standards, and forms incrementally over years, resulting in an inefficient process. Read more .

Meet Best-Selling Children’s Book Author and Illustrator Todd Parr, ArtsWestchester, White Plains, NY
April 10: Enjoy a special afternoon of story time with award winning author and illustrator Todd Parr. Todd will read aloud and discuss several of his family-themed books, including The Family Book—a book that celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in. Discover more .

Life and Death of the Kingston Post Office, Riverport Wooden Boat School, Kingston, NY
April 10: The demolition of the architecturally unique 1907 Kingston Post Office in 1970 was a turning point for historic preservation in Kingston. Filmmaker Stephen Blauweiss and artist Karen Berelowitz will present rare photographs and historic postcards about the “life” and “death” of the iconic 1907 Kingston Post Office. Discover more .

Against All Odds: The Fight for a Black Middle-Class, Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY
April 11: The film explores the pursuit of the American Dream through the eyes of African American thought leaders, as well as regular families, all of whom have experienced the unique challenges that African Americans have faced throughout history. Journalist Bob Herbert interviews prominent African Americans, including Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson, Congressman Elijah Cummings, President- of the Urban League, and more. Find out more .

Birding Basics, Gardiner Library, Gardiner, NY
April 12: Join Nick Martin, Park Educator, in this second installment of a four-part series. During this program, we will take a walk on the trails near the library. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, a birding field guide or a smart device with a field guide installed. More info .

Grasshopper Grove Opening Day, Outdoor Discovery Center, Cornwall, NY
April 13: Grasshopper Grove is a ‘bridge’ between a mowed lawn and the wild woods, that inspires children to discover nature play spaces in their own backyards and the wider world. Natural elements are at the heart of child-centered play. More details .

Citizen Science Hike on Beacon Hill Loop Trail, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson, NY
April 14: Become a citizen scientist and learn all about phenology, the study of how plants and animals change throughout the seasons. This two-mile hike offers beautiful views of the Rondout and Wallkill Valleys as well as the Catskill Mountains. Find out more .

Bionutrient Food Association Meeting, Sugar Hill Farm, Bedford Hills, NY
April 16: WLT is proud to host the Westchester/NYC chapter of the
Bionutrient Food Association (BFA) at our Sugar Hill HQ and support BFA members as they develop sustainable farming practices to combat climate change and produce crops that are flavorful, aromatic, and highly nutritious. Learn more .

Colonial History Day, Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers, NY
April 17: S wing by the Manor and Van der Donck Park to be transported back to the 1700’s! Featuring colonial games, clothes, crafts and re-enactors, including a blacksmith and Cavalry rider on horseback, music and much more; all outdoor activities are free to attend! Discover more .

Children’s Tea & Easter Egg Hunt, Mount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon, NY
April 17: Mount Gulian will be continuing their new tradition of an Easter Egg Hunt on our beautiful grounds.It’s believed that German immigrants brought the custom of Easter egg hunting to Pennsylvania in the 1700’s. While there is no documentation that the Verplanck children enjoyed hunting and rolling eggs on the riverside lawn in the 1800’s when the family resided at Mount Gulian, we think it’s highly likely. Read more .

Preservation Planning for Collecting Institutions, Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, NY
April 18: A Preservation Plan is an essential institutional document that helps collecting institutions thoughtfully and carefully chart a course for the preservation of their collections for five to ten years. Without planning, it can be nearly impossible to effectively budget for staff time and resources. More info .

Introduction to Bird ID, Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain, NY
April 20: Have you always wanted to know what birds live in your backyard? Join an educator from Trailside Museums and Zoo for a brief presentation at the Bear Mountain Inn, learn about some new birding skills and practice them on a bird walk around Hessian Lake. Find out more .

Intro to Map & Compass Orienteering for Beginners, Taconic State Park, Copake Falls, NY
April 20: This event will be Earth Day themed and attendees will learn to read topography lines on a map, use a compass to follow a bearing, participate in a small orienteering course and do some backcountry packing and what to bring when going on a day hike in the outdoors. Discover more .

A Revolutionary Camp at Night at the Historic Huts, The Last Encampment of the Continental Army , New Windsor, NY
April 20: Experience candlelight military drills, musket firings and other activities done at the Continental Army encampment at New Windsor. More details .

Build a Nest Box, Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY
April 24: Invite beautiful Bluebirds or mosquito-eating Tree Swallows into your yard! Our kits are pre-cut and pre-drilled, all hardware included. You will learn how to correctly place and monitor your nest box. Read more .

Trout Discovery Day, Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton, NY
April 25: Come help us release trout into the park’s ponds! Bring a bucket for your fish friend, and be ready for some fun fishy activities too! Event meets at the Deerfield Pavilion. More info .

The Snow Leopard Project, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY
April 26: Biologist Alex Dehgan, will discuss his new book  The Snow Leopard Project . In 2006, Dehgan traveled to Kabul to build the Wildlife Conservation Society's Afghanistan Program – an effort aimed at protecting the country's unique ecosystems, which had been decimated by decades of war. Learn how Dehgan campaigned to stop endangered snow leopard poaching and establish Afghanistan's first national park, Band-e Amir. Discover more .

Collar City Craft Fest, Troy, NY
April 26: The Collar City Craft Fest is a show case of the area’s top artists and distinguished exhibitors. Each one will be exhibiting and selling their fine arts and crafts to all! This year we have new curated spaces, new vendors, and the new Art's Bar in attendance. Learn more .

Grand Re-Opening Of the Tower Of Victory, Washington Headquarters State Historic Site, Newburgh, NY
April 27: For the first time since 1953, visitors will be able to climb to the top of the 132-year old Tower of Victory on the grounds of Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site. Following the ribbon cutting visitor will be able to climb the tower. Find out more .

Free Earth Day Event, Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY
April 27: At the Hyde Park Drive-In on Route 9 across from the Home of FDR National Historic Site come out for a day of activities for the entire family! You will be able to turn in household items for recycling and redistribution, learn gardening tips and crafts, see composting demonstrations, learn bicycle repair and recycle, participate in a scavenger hunt, take a hike on Roosevelt Farm Lane, and more. More details .

Tours of the 1838 Jay Mansion, Jay Heritage Center, Rye, NY
April 28: Join us for a docent led tour of this landmark place on New York State’s Path Through History is the crucible where the character of a patriot was forged. Discover more .

Tales of the Majestic Hudson Lecture, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
April 28: The Hudson River has been compared to the Rhine in both beauty and in the variety of vistas. Captain Stan Wilcox will explore some of the often unknown and unique features of the Hudson Valley and uncover a mystery or two. You will learn how a glacier shaped the valley and turned the river into an estuary, the fate of Henry Hudson, the search for Blackbeard’s pirate gold and so much more!  Read more .

Hudson Valley Natural Resource Mapper Training, Colonie Town Library, Colonie, NY
April 30: This program will provide an introduction to the mapper and lead participants through a hands-on exercise. The training is intended for municipal staff and members of town boards, planning and zoning boards of appeals, conservation advisory councils, watershed groups, and others involved in local land-use planning and decision-making. Sign up .
Heritage Spotlight: Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame
The Harness Racing Museum is located in Goshen, New York’s Church Park Historic District. The Tudor style architecture of the original 1913 stable, in which the museum is partially housed, provides the backdrop for displays of art and artifacts relating to the history of the American-born sport of harness racing and the Standard-bred horse. Visitors experience interactive exhibitry, informative films and a timeline of the sport’s history from its late 18th century New York roots through today. Visitors can also experience the thrill of racing first hand with a ride on the museum’s 3D simulator. In addition to the repository of more than 70,000 harness racing photographs, paintings, and artifacts,the museum boasts the largest collection of Currier & Ives trotting prints. The Hall of Fame contains lifelike statuettes of the inductees- drivers,trainers and breeders –who have enriched the sport. The museum overlooks Goshen’s Historic Track. Established in 1838, it is the oldest working racetrack in the country and was the first sporting site to receive National Historic Landmark status (in 1966). Harness races are held weekends in June and early July. Find out more .
Project Spotlight: Town of Olive's Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Town of Olive was awarded a Community Planning Grant to support its Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Town of Olive has been subject to numerous flooding events in recent history, the worst of which was Hurricane Irene in August 2011. During Hurricane Irene, record flooding was recorded on the Esopus Creek and the Bushkill and there was widespread flooding of residences and businesses throughout the town, forcing many residents to find temporary shelter. Flooding caused damage to businesses, access to basic necessities was restricted even for those residents that were not directly impacted by the flood. In 2014, a Flood Advisory Committee was formed to develop a Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan with guidance from the Ashokan Watershed Str eam management Program. A forward-thinking mitigation plan allows the Town to preserve floodplain open space, become eligible to relocate vulnerable properties (both residences and critical community facilities) out of sensitive and flood-prone areas, and ultimately restore floodplains and the functions they provide not only to communities, but also to the ecosystem. Learn more about the Town of Olive .
Green Tip of the Month: Recycle the Right Way!
Since 1992, local recycling programs have diverted more than 320 million tons of recyclables from landfills. Make sure you’re sorting your recyclables correctly and not trying to recycle items that are prohibited including broken glass or batteries. Learn more .
Grant and Funding Opportunities

Heritage Development Grants
The Hudson River Valley Greenway and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) are pleased to announce the availability of $55,000 in matching grants through the 2019 Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Heritage Development Grant Program.This annual grant program offers funding for programming, interpretation, and marketing projects that support the mutual goals of the HRVNHA and applicants. Grants will typically range from $1,000 to $5,000. Grant program guidelines and applications are available on the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area's website. Deadline: May 10, 2019.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program
Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: May 10, 2019 . More info .

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 .

2019 Barnabas McHenry Hudson Valley Awards
The awards are granted to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing research, leadership, and community involvement in New York’s Hudson Valley. Under the construct of the program, students partner with local non-profits and are awarded up to $5,000, with $1,000 going to the non-profit, to pursue a project that will promote awareness about local history and the environment and invoke positive change. The 12-year-old program is aimed at encouraging and enabling exceptional, conservation-minded students to take an active leadership role in their Hudson Valley community. Extended Deadline:  April 8, 2019 .  Find out more .

Challenge Cost Share Program
Round up some partners and grab your tools! Challenge Cost Share ("CCS") projects are intended to build collaboration between the National Park Service and project partners. Projects should promote improved access and opportunities for outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and education in our National Parks, National Trails and / or Wild and Scenic Rivers. National Park Service staff will work with local project partners to achieve these mutually beneficial outcomes. This partnership challenge seeks to reward proposals that have the best prospects to build enduring benefits and develop new partnerships. The maximum Challenge Cost Share project support is $25,000. Applications are being accepted until  April 8, 2019 . Learn more about the program   here .

Conservation Diversity Fellowship
The Open Space Institute’s Conservation Diversity Fellowship, started in 2016, 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: April 15, 2019 . Learn more .

16th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting applications for the 2019 Environmental Excellence Awards program. The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize businesses, institutions, municipalities, and organizations for outstanding commitments to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic viability. Businesses (i.e., small, medium, and large businesses, manufacturing, power generation, retail, agri-business, renewable energy, hospitality, sports, etc.); not-for-profit organizations; academic, health care, and recreational facilities; individuals; and local, state, federal, and Indian Nation government agencies are all eligible to apply. Deadline: April 17, 2019 . Read more .

National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2019 Pocantico Fellowship
The Pocantico Center Preservation Fellowship is a two-week residential fellowship in historic preservation that provides the opportunity to reside and work in the historic Marcel Breuer House at Pocantico Hills, NY from Monday, July 22 through Sunday, August 4, 2019. Funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Pocantico fellowship is structured to provide professionals with two weeks of dedicated time for a defined project with significant benefit to the preservation field. The project must be of significant benefit to the preservation field, such as work on a book, long article, or key speech/presentation on the future of preservation, sustainability and historic preservation, re-imagining historic sites, urban issues and preservation, gentrification and density, or another topic of key importance to the preservation field. Deadline: April 19, 2019 . More details .

Request for Proposals: Climate Adaptive Design Project Development
Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the availability of $125,000 for the design of a project to reduce shoreline or stormwater risk in one or more of the communities of Catskill, Kingston, Piermont, or Hudson, New York. Each of these communities participated in the Climate-Adaptive Design studio, a program that links Cornell University graduate and undergraduate students in landscape architecture with flood-risk Hudson Riverfront communities to explore design alternatives for more climate resilient and connected waterfront areas. Funding for this grant is provided by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and is administered by DEC's Hudson River Estuary Program in partnership with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) through a Request for Proposals (RFP). The deadline for proposals is April 19, 2019 , at 12 noon. The RFP is available on NEIWPCC's website. General information about the RFP can be found on the DEC website.

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. Only Organizational Level Forum members or Main Street America members of the National Trust are eligible to apply for funding from the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns. Deadline: May 1, 2019 . More details .

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 May 1, 2019 . Visit  www.FundforSacredPlaces.org  for more details, including eligibility requirements, guidelines, and online application.

PHMSA's Technical Assistance Grant Program
The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) seeks to provide funding to local communities and non-profit organizations to advance pipeline and hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation safety. Deadline: May 3, 2019 . Learn more.

PHMSA's Community Safety Grant Program
The purpose of this grant is to enhance communities capability to respond to hazardous materials incidents and to assist in ensuring that state and local enforcement personnel are adequately trained in the Hazardous Materials Regulations. PHMSA, through this competitive grant opportunity, is requesting applications from nonprofit organizations to (1) conduct national outreach and training programs to assist communities in preparing for and responding to accidents and incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials, including Class 3 flammable liquids by rail; and (2) to train state and local personnel responsible for enforcing the safe transportation of hazardous materials, including Class 3 flammable liquids. Eligible Applicants include nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education and n onprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education. Deadline: May 4, 2019 . Find out more .

Historic Transportation Canals Marker Grant Program
The Historic Transportation Canals Marker Grant Program is designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate the history of transportation canals in the United States. The markers in this program must recognize a historical fact that occurred more than 50 years from the year of your application. Currently, that year is 1969. Canal marker grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and municipalities within the United States of America. Deadline for the letter of intent is April 17, 2019 . The application deadline is May 5, 2019 . Read more .

Federal Trransit Administration's Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program
On March 18 2019, the Federal Transit Administration   announced   the availability of FY 2019 Low-No funding. View the   FY2019 Notice of Funding Opportunity . The Low or No Emission Competitive program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. Under the FAST Act, $55 million per year is available until fiscal year 2020. Deadline: May 14, 2019 . More details .

Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
The mission of this Challenge Grants program is to strengthen the institutional base of the humanities by enabling infrastructure development and capacity building. Awards aim to help institutions secure long-term support for their core activities and expand efforts to preserve and create access to outstanding humanities materials. Applications are welcome from colleges and universities, museums, public libraries, research institutions, historical societies and historic sites, scholarly associations, state humanities councils, and other public and nonprofit humanities entities. Through these awards organizations can increase their humanities capacity through capital expenditures to support the design, purchase, construction, restoration, or renovation of facilities for humanities activities and the purchase of equipment and software. Eligible activities include the preservation and conservation of humanities materials, and the sustaining of digital infrastructure for the humanities. Deadline: May 15, 2019 . Learn more .

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  May 17, 2019 . Read more .

2019 NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program
The NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program is a partnership of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and GHHN that provides support for treatment procedures to aid in stabilizing and preserving objects held in collections of museums, historical, and cultural organizations in New York State. Support is available for conservation treatment of paintings, works on paper (including individual drawings, watercolors, prints or photographs), textiles (including costumes, domestic textiles and upholstery), furniture, frames, sculpture, historical, ethnographic, decorative objects, and more. Deadline: June 3, 2019 . More info .

2019 NYSCA/GHHN Collection Needs Assessment Program
The NYSCA/GHHN Collection Needs Assessment Program is a NYSCA/GHHN Grant partnership program which provides two opportunities for museums across New York State.These include:

  • Site Assessment Program: The grant 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 consultant will discuss various areas of stewardship with the site including identifying your specific collections issues, suggesting and prioritizing basic steps to improve care of your collections. A written report will follow the consultation. Max award of $650.
  • Supplies Program: Applicants who have consulted with an appropriate professional may request funds to purchase collections management supplies. Supplies may include, but are not limited to: storage boxes, acid-free tissue paper, artifact trays, dividers, UV filtering film, Tyvek sheeting, tape, tags, labels, and environmental monitors. Supply requests for archival or library collections will not be supported. Max award $500.

Deadline: June 3, 2019 . Find out more .

Hudson River Estuary Trees for Tribs Program  
The Hudson River Estuary Program’s Trees for Tribs program offers free native trees and shrubs for planting along the tributary streams in the Hudson River estuary watershed. Our staff can help you with a planting plan and work with your volunteers. Fall planting projects are now taking place. If you own or manage property near a stream in the Hudson estuary watershed, you can apply for assistance from Trees for Tribs. Landowners or managers must complete an application (PDF)  and if the project is selected, recruit volunteers for planting, and maintain the site after the planting is complete. Deadline: August 1, 2019 for planting in the fall. More info .

Wal-Mart Foundation: Community Grant Program
Through the Community Grant Program, Wal-Mart associates are proud to support the needs of their communities by providing grants to local organizations. Awarded grants range from $250 to $5,000. Deadline:  Dec. 31, 2019 . More details .

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.  Deadline  January 15, 2020 . Find out more  here .

Volunteers for the NY-NJ Trail Conference
From volunteering as a camp caretaker  in Harriman State Park, to planning trail parties , to working as a grant researcher , there are endless opportunities to give back to the trails you love. Read more .

Volunteer at the Olana State Historic Site
Becoming a volunteer at Olana is a wonderful way to learn more about this unique and beautiful site, meet new people, and have a fun and rewarding experience. Click here to get started! If you have any questions about volunteering reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Margot Isaacs by email or at 518-751-6857.

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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