Barnabas McHenry, Chairman Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Kevin M. Burke, Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley,
Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Executive Director Greenway,
Director National Heritage Area
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Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
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Updates from the Hudson River Valley Greenway
Due to the spread of COVID-19, Governor Cuomo has ordered all non-essential New York State employees to work from home until April 15th. The
Hudson River Valley Greenway
has been working remotely since March 17th, while our office remains closed. We continue to adjust to this rapidly changing situation, however, we are committed to responding to inquiries and meeting the needs of our constituents. You may reach the Greenway or National Heritage Area at
hrvg@hudsongreenway.ny.gov
.
Many designated heritage sites throughout the Hudson River Valley have announced they will be closing to the public to reduce the spread of the virus.
We encourage you to take advantage of the many designated heritage sites and their resources through the internet from the comfort of your own home.
In addition, some sites have grounds that are open for walks (at a safe distance from others); please contact individual sites for information.
For your safety, it is recommended that you visit local parks, especially the less populated ones.
Links to each heritage site's website can be found on the
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area's website
. I Love New York has also created a blog (that they have been continually updating)
where you can find online events, virtual tours, and more
.
New York State Parks remain open. Although events, tours, and social gatherings of all kinds have been canceled or postponed. While we encourage you to enjoy the outdoors, please follow the
CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines
for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19.
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Submit Your Event to the 21st Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble Today!
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.
Your event will be featured on the Ramble's website and included in 63,000 copies of the Ramble Guide, which is distributed in August. This publication reaches 150,000 readers in the Hudson Valley, New York and neighboring states.
For the very first time the Hudson River Valley Ramble will take place throughout the entire month of September. Allowing event leaders to promote their events, tours, and activities during weekdays.
We understand that this year is unlike any other, and that at this time you may be unsure what the next few months may hold. However, we are moving forward with plans to advertise and promote the Ramble and publish our guide. If you have events in September or would like to create one for the Ramble, we hope that you will join us in planning for what will be a welcome change come this fall!
The deadline for entering events to be published in the Ramble Guide is
June 1st, 2020
.
Submit your event
now.
Have more questions?
Contact us.
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Happy 2020 Census Day
Today we celebrate
2020 Census Day
to encourage Americans to complete their 2020 Census.
What is the Census? Conducted every 10 years by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Census counts the population in all 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. This year, you can submit your responses online, by phone, or by mail. Your response to the Census is safe, secure and will have a great impact on your community.
Be sure to count anyone living in your household.
Why is the Census important? The
#Census2020
will help determine how federal money will flow into communities every year for the next decade. From your morning commute to helping your local schools, your response is crucial to shaping your community and New York’s future for the next 10 years.
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Upcoming GHHN Workshops
How long do we expect collections to last in museums? Ten years? A hundred? A thousand? We tend to assume that once an item is in a museum it will last forever. Sadly, this is often not the case. Objects begin to decay the moment they are made. If a museum's conditions are right and the objects are cared for correctly, we can delay the decay process. If objects are not cared for properly, we witness the deterioration taking place before our eyes via rust, cracks, mold, warping, rips, tearing, fading, and flaking. The best weapon to delay this process is the proper care and housing of collections. However, collections care and storage can be a challenge in museums based simply on the variety, size, and number of items they contain. When combined with considerations regarding storage space, storage methods, and shelving, the challenges of storing one item among many become complex. Storage and handling methods have a direct impact on the useful life of collections and accessibility of information. Damage can be avoided by preventing overcrowded, careless, or haphazard storage conditions. Chemically unstable and improperly fitting shelving and storage enclosures accelerate the deterioration of materials they are intended to protect.
- Archival Rehousing Workshop (July 14, 2020)- This full-day workshop will cover protective enclosures for library and archival materials in the morning and exhibit cradles and mounts for the same in the afternoon.
- Care and Storage of Collections (July 23, 2020)- This workshop will focus on the care, handling, and storage of collections highlighting best practices and low-cost/low-tech solutions to make the most out of existing spaces.
- Textile Rehousing Workshop (October 20, 2020)- This full-day workshop will aid museum staff and volunteers by teaching how to select collection construction materials and simple, low-tech solutions that can be used for a wide range of artifact types.
Learn more
about this three-part workshop training series.
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2020 Canalway Challenge
Whether you are an avid cyclist or a family looking to get more active, set your sights on adventure and fun along the 524-mile NYS Canal System and 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail. The Canalway Challenge launches this May with new activities, giveaways and, hopefully, events where you can log miles this summer. Reach your one-of-a-kind, personal mileage goal – whether cycling, paddling, running, hiking or walking – and discover all you can do along New York's canals!
The Erie Canal and Canalway Trail are divided into distinct regions, each roughly 90 miles. Rack up all four regions to become a 360 End-to-Ender! Connecting canals offer more opportunities for adventure. You can count miles on any of these canals toward your Canalway Challenge total.
The Canalway Trail and outdoor spaces remain open and ready for you to begin logging your miles at any time. Please steer clear of crowds, stay local, avoid touching surfaces in public places, and stay 6' apart from other trail users to help control the spread of COVID-19.
Sign up
now for the challenge.
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2020 Path Through History
On the weekend of
June 20-21, 2020
,
New York will celebrate its first Path Through History Weekend of 2020. Events will take place throughout New York State. In 2012, Governor Cuomo unveiled the statewide "
Path Through History
," initiative that links historically and culturally significant sites, locations and events throughout New York State. This effort to highlight our rich heritage aims to not only showcase the state's history and cultural significance, but also promote tourism and economic development in communities across the state.
More details
.
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Upcoming Events
*Please note that due to the spread of COVID-19, many heritage sites have cancelled events, and are closing or reducing hours. All New York residents are encouraged to practice social distancing, and therefore our events section this month features a variety of webinars to educate our audience from the comfort of their own home. Some sites have grounds that are open for walks (at a safe distance from others); please contact individual sites for information.
For your safety, it is recommended that you visit local parks, especially the less populated ones.
Introduction to Great Trails Workshops: What Makes a Great Trail Great? (WEBINAR)
April 2:
This webinar will provide information on what makes a great trail great and will serve as an introduction to NOHVCC's Great Trails Workshops.
More info
.
Introduction to Content Engagement (WEBINAR)
April 3:
To foster understanding and collect informed feedback, not only do you want to make sure your content is relevant to your audience, you want to make sure it is easy to navigate, easy to understand, easy to respond to, and also maintains interest and attention.
Find out more
.
What's Working in the COVID-19 Response Using GIS (WEBINAR)
April 7:
Maps and location data are at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. The geographic information systems (GIS) community has been able to take lessons learned from disaster response and transfer this knowledge to the coronavirus crisis quickly.
Learn more
.
Using Flood Maps (WEBINAR)
April 14:
Participants will learn how to best use local flood exposure maps when working with citizens and local officials, recognize challenges and techniques for using these maps to facilitate productive conversations about improving community resilience to coastal hazards, and prepare for productive conversations about community resilience.
Read more
.
Rapid Tidal Marsh Development on the Hudson During Period of Tributary Damming and Shoreline Modification (WEBINAR)
April 14:
This will be presented by, Brian Yellen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UMass Amherst.
More details
.
Understanding Spatial Identity (WEBINAR)
April 14:
As planners, recognizing the role that Spatial Identity has in our profession they can provide both a cautionary and guiding lens in which to help us better foster vibrant and livable communities for all people.
More info
.
Conservation and Land Use 101 Webinar Series: Natural Heritage Important Areas (WEBINAR)
April 15:
Natural Heritage Important Areas are lands and waters in the Hudson River Valley, delineated with GIS models, that support the continued presence and quality of known populations of rare animals and rare plants, or of documented examples of rare or high-quality ecological communities. This webinar will introduce the recently updated Important Areas data set and its applications for local land-use and conservation planning.
Register
.
Equestrian Trail Design and Best Practices (WEBINAR)
April 16:
Best practices for trail design planning, construction, and management in undeveloped natural areas and connecting to urban edge settings.
More info
.
Space Planning: Getting Started (WEBINAR)
April 16:
Archives, libraries, and museums of all sizes face challenges when considering how to make the most of collections storage spaces, particularly when space is limited. The presenter will discuss strategies for making the most of precious storage space as well as ways to prioritize best practices and current standards for housing and storing institutional collections.
Learn more
.
Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision and Zoning (WEBINAR)
April 21:
Looking for the latest developments on land use law? Want to know how to use the laws and regulations to your fullest advantage? With this one-day seminar, quickly advance your understanding and learn how to avoid legal entanglements to make sure every transaction is smooth and successful.
More details
.
Making Strong Neighborhood Investments (WEBINAR)
April 21:
In this free webinar, Strong Towns president Charles Marohn will introduce the "Neighborhoods First" approach to growing a stronger community by making small, incremental investments over time.
Register
.
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Heritage Spotlight: Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States (1837-1841) and a native of Kinderhook. Following his defeat for a second term, he returned to Kinderhook and moved into Georgian-style Lindenwald, where he entertained politicians and dignitaries until his death in 1862. The house’s facade features a Palladian window, while carved woodwork adorns its first floor. In 1849, Van Buren hired Richard Upjohn to design a Tuscan-style tower and front porch that combined elements of Gothic and Romanesque design. Van Buren farmed Lindenwald’s grounds, which retain orchards, ponds, meadows, and formal garden elements typical of Hudson Valley estates in the mid-19th century. Today, Lindenwald reflects Van Buren’s occupancy, with Empire furniture as well as china and original French wallpaper. Visitors can tour restored servants’ rooms and learn how they kept the house running. Currently the visitor center and Martin Van Buren's home, are closed for the season.Daily operations will resume on Monday, May 18. Specific tour times will be announced later this spring. Park grounds will be open to the public on April 18th, 2020, from 7am till sunset. We encourage you to contact the site's management prior to visiting for more details.
Learn more
.
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Project Spotlight: Granite Mountain Preserve Phase 2: Trails - Public Access to the Northern Peak
The
Hudson Highlands Land Trust
(HHLT) received a Greenway Conservancy Trail grant to make essential improvements to the existing trail network at Granite Mountain Preserve
in the Town of Putnam Valley
. The project included the
rerouting of a loop trail toward the northern summit and the buil
ding of a new trail to the northern scenic viewpoint of the p
reserve. Before HHLT acquired the preserve, the property of the current Granite Mountain Preserve contained a number of trails that had been used by the community for years. In 2017, HHLT acquired 358-acres to permanently conserve the land for wildlife and to serve as a community resource. Since then the pres
erve has expanded to 400-acres and the existing trail network has been designated a Greenway Trail. This project began with community feedback and some ecological expertise after it was noticed that some trails were in disrepair and even hazardous. The improvements have been described as the “talk of the Town.” Public access to the trail has been significantly enhanced, while also improving the safety and trail marking system. Learn more about the
HHLT
and
Granite Mountain Preserve
. If you would like to learn more about Designated Greenway Trails near you, visit our website at
https://hudsongreenway.ny.gov/land-trail
.
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Green Tip of the Month:
Incremental Changes
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Grant and Funding Opportunities
Hudson River Valley Greenway Community Grant Program
Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline:
May 8, 2020
.
More info
.
Heritage Development Grants
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:
September 11, 2020.
Greenway Conservancy Trail Grant Program
This grant program is dedicated to funding recreational trail projects. Special consideration is given to projects that seek to implement the goals of the Greenway Trail Program. This year's application emphasizes connections to the Empire State Trail, and makes funding available for Water Trail projects. Deadline:
May 8, 2020
. 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. Sponsorship's will have an additional focus on events promoting the 19th Amendment and/or Women's in History in the Hudson Valley for the year 2020. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at
daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov
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
.
Preserve New York Grant Program
Applicants must be a unit of local government or a nonprofit group with tax-exempt status. State agencies and religious institutions are not eligible to apply. The program provides support up to 80% of the project cost. Applicants must provide 20% of the total project cost as a cash match. Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $10,000. Deadline:
April 6, 2020
.
Find out more
.
Challenge America Grant Program
The Challenge America category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations -- those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Age alone (e.g., youth, seniors) does not qualify a group as underserved; at least one of the underserved characteristics noted above also must be present. Provide details about the underserved audience you select in your application using relevant statistics and anecdotal information. Proposals should detail the efforts made to reach the identified underserved population. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development. Deadline:
April 9, 2020
.
Learn more
.
Buffer in a Bag
The Buffer in a Bag initiative is designed to increase riparian (streamside) buffers statewide by engaging landowners in small-scale plantings. Qualifying private and public landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers or lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, and improve wildlife habitat. Deadline:
April 10, 2020
.
Read more
.
New York State Environmental Excellence Awards
This awards program recognizes those who are implementing innovative, sustainable actions or working in creative partnerships to improve and protect New York State's environment and contribute to a healthier economy. Successful candidates will demonstrate significant and measurable environmental, economic and social benefits as a result of new and unique projects or programs that go beyond standard techniques or regulatory requirements. An award ceremony will provide winners with an opportunity to present information and display materials about their projects. Deadline:
April 17, 2020
.
Learn more
.
National Fund for Sacred Places
Sacred places function as hubs for social service programs, the arts, and are vital to human belonging. Many of these aging and architecturally complex facilities require increasingly diverse streams of funding to be sustained as centers of community life in the 21st-century. The National Fund for Sacred Places was born out of a belief that providing technical and financial support for congregations could build capacity and increase the stability of these critical yet disappearing historic community centers. Deadline:
April 22, 2020
.
More details
.
Community Economic Development Projects Grant
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will award approximately $13.6 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary grant funds to Community Development Corporations (CDC) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects to enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low-income. CED grants will be made as part of a broader strategy to address objectives such as decreasing dependency on federal programs, chronic unemployment, and community deterioration in urban and rural areas. CED projects are expected to actively recruit individuals with low-income to fill the positions created by CED-funded development activities, to assist those individuals to successfully hold those jobs and to ensure that the businesses and jobs created remain viable for at least one year after the end of the grant period. Deadline:
May 26, 2020
.
More info
.
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, and decorative objects. Deadline:
June 1, 2020
.
Learn more
.
NYSCA/GHHN Collections 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. Deadline:
June 1, 2020
.
Find out more
.
Publishing Historical Records in Documentary Editions
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals to publish documentary editions of historical records. Projects may focus on broad historical movements in U.S. history, such as politics, law (including the social and cultural history of the law), social reform, business, military, the arts, and other aspects of the national experience, or may be centered on the papers of major figures from American history. Whether conceived as a thematic or a biographical edition, the historical value of the records and their expected usefulness to broad audiences must justify the costs of the project. The Commission is especially interested in projects to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A grant is for one year and for up to $175,000. The Commission expects to make up to 25 grants in this category for a total of up to $3,000,000. Deadline:
June 10, 2020
.
More details
.
Access to Historical Records: Major Initiatives FY 2021
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks projects that will significantly improve public discovery and use of major historical records collections. The Commission is especially interested in collections of America’s early legal records, such as the records of colonial, territorial, county, and early statehood and tribal proceedings that document the evolution of the nation’s legal history. A grant is for one to three years and between $100,000 and $350,000. Deadline:
July 9, 2020
.
Read more
.
EcoSolution™ Grants
Grants range from $500-$2,500 and are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes. ecoSolution™ Grants are available to educators working with youth in the United States (international projects are by invitation only). Deadline:
July 15, 2020
.
Learn more
.
EcoTech™ Grants
This program was created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between “the screen” or “the green” and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. We believe that technology can present innovative ways to address environmental challenges – and that when dealing with digital natives, we do ourselves a disservice by asking them to unplug. Deadline:
July 15, 2020
.
More details
.
EcoStem™ Resource Kits
Captain Planet Foundation has developed four ecoSTEM Resource Kits
,
which are perfect for educators getting started with project-based learning. These custom-curated and designed collections of lessons and materials facilitate ecoSTEM learning and using the environment as a context for applying knowledge. Kits include cutting-edge project techniques, 3-dimensional learning, citizen science, and the best materials and equipment identified for each project. Deadline:
July 15, 2020
.
Read more
.
New York State Assembly Grants Action News
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly.
More info
.
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