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

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

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

Scott Keller, Executive Director, Hudson River Valley Greenway,

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

Important Reminders

• Greenway Planning and Trail Grant Applications are Due Through Our Online Grants Platform by November 3, 2023, and January 26, 2024. More Details.

Hudson River Valley Greenway is Hiring an Executive Director



The Hudson River Valley Greenway is seeking to fill the position of Executive Director to replace Scott Keller, who will be retiring in March of 2024. The Executive Director serves as the lead executive for the staff of the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Inc., and reports to the chairs of each board. This individual also serves as Director of the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. The Heritage Area Director serves the governing board as the administrator and spokesperson for all programs and activities undertaken on its behalf and reports to the co-chairs of the Heritage Area board. There is no formal deadline for applications, however, priority will be given to applications received by January 5, 2024. Learn more.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces $45,990 in Grants



At its October meeting, the Hudson River Valley Greenway approved two matching Greenway Planning awards and two Greenway Conservancy Trail awards totaling $45,990. 

The funded Greenway Planning projects include:

• $15,390 to Town of Pawling, for a Housing Assessment & Strategy Report
• $10,000 to Village of Schuylerville, for a Comprehensive Plan Update

The funded Greenway Conservancy Trail projects include:

• $10,600 to Orange County Land Trust, for Moonbeam Preserve Public Access Improvements
• $10,000 to Village of Menands, for the Little River Tributary

The next round of Greenway Planning and Greenway Trail Grant applications are due through the Greenway's Online Grants Platform by November 3, 2023. Information and guidelines are available here.

Apply for Up to $10,000 For Your Event

At its October meeting the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (NHA) officially increased funding for Event Sponsorships. This change was made possible by suspending the Heritage Development Grant program and devoting the funding to the increasingly popular Event Sponsorships program.

Previously, not-for-profits and municipalities were eligible for up to $2,500 for event programming and marketing. Organizations are now eligible for up to $5,000 for a one-day event and multi-day events covering three or more sites are eligible for up to $10,000 of funding. Event Sponsorships do not require matching funds, must be located within the boundaries of the NHA, and support the NHA's mission.

Applications are available on a rolling basis through the Greenway’s Online Grants Platform. Learn more.

GHHN's Annual Conference Was a Success

The Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (NHA) was happy to participate in, exhibit, and sponsor the Greater Hudson Heritage Network's (GHHN) Annual Conference: "Taking Care - Well-Being and the Museum Worker" at Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison in October. The well-attended conference took place in Boscobel's gorgeous new pavilion event space with incredible views overlooking Constitution Marsh, the Hudson River, and Hudson Highlands.

The theme of this year's conference focused on "Taking Care" and exploring what well-being for museum workers means. Participants listened to engaging speaker sessions such as strategies to cope with difficult situations, participated in activities such as a poster session, engaged with professionals in their field, and enjoyed incredible interpretations of Boscobel House and Gardens. 

The conference also offered "office hours" that gave participants a scheduled one-on-one with various professionals in the field to ask questions or simply to have a discussion. This gave Daniel Jeanson, the NHA Project Director, ample opportunity to discuss funding opportunities, technical advice, and more that we offer with conference participants. Learn more GHHN's Annual Conference.

Hudson River Valley Greenway's Grant Applications Are Now Hosted on the Greenway's Online Grants Platform

Grant and sponsorship applications for all Hudson River Valley Greenway and Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage programs, including Community/Compact Planning, Conservancy Trail, and Heritage Sponsorships are now on an online grants platform, HRVG Grants Platform.  This is the only way to apply for our grants. A link to the virtual application process and detailed guidance may be found on our website.

All applications for funding are required to submit grant applications on the online platform to apply for funding for all grant rounds. Applicants must register on the HRVG Grant Platform using their email addresses. Older applications will not be accepted.

If you have any questions or concerns, email grants@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or call us at (518) 473-3835.

Important Reminders

• Attend DEC's Webinar That Will Discuss Municipal Options for Financing Open Space Protection on November 14th. Register now.

Hudson River Riders, Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club

Founded in 2003, the Yonkers Public Paddling Program, an arm of the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club (YPRC) was initially created to introduce people to the sport of kayaking. In 2016, the YPRC’s Public Paddling Program was renamed the Hudson River Riders and adopted a new mission: to create a classroom on the water for disadvantaged youth, helping them to develop paddling skills and become the next generation of environmental stewards.

Hudson River Riders (HRR) operates out of JFK Marina and Park and YPRC Boathouse, offering free kayaking on the Hudson River to youth and adults. In addition to their walk-up kayak program, HRR has weekly paddles for teens to introduce them to the sport of kayaking. Hudson River Riders is supported by YPRC membership, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the City of Yonkers, and more.

During the summer of 2023, HRR put over 1,500 youth and adults on the water. With funding from an Estuary Program Grant, HRR purchased smaller-sized kayaks for teens. Without the right size kayak, youth could have difficulties steering and paddling the vessel. Read more.

Upcoming Events

Lake Taghkanic State Park Master Plan Development Public Meeting, Taghkanic Fire Co. #1, Taghkanic, NY

November 2: NYS Parks invites all interested parties to participate in the development of a Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft MP/DEIS) for Lake Taghkanic State Park. Learn more.

Approvals, Permits, and Compliance: Navigating the Regulatory Waters from Trail Plan Through Construction (WEBINAR)

November 2: This webinar will walk through the typical processes, jurisdictions, timelines, and documentation needed to get a conceptual trail project through approval and implementation. Find out more.

Hulda: The Witch of the American Revolution, Briarcliff Manor Public Library, Briarcliff Manor, NY

November 4: A storyteller will perform an updated narrative of Mother Hulda of Bohemia, a woman who lived in Sleepy Hollow during the 1770s. More info.

Tintypes at Wilderstein, Wilderstein Historic Site, Rhinebeck, NY

November 4: Lecture and demonstration by historical photographer Tom Delooza showcasing the art, history, and making of tintype photographs. Register now.

The Lenape People in the Hudson Valley, Mount Gulian Historic Site, Beacon, NY

November 4: Join an engaging talk about the local history of the Lenape Native Americans, the region's first inhabitants. Read more.

Meet Sean Sherman, The Sioux Chef, Jay Heritage Center, Rye, NY

November 5: Learn how Native culture and history can highlight the role that Native American cuisine holds in today's culinary world. Learn more.

Empowered by Poetry Open Mic, Hart Cluett Museum, Troy, NY

November 8: This is a poetry open mic open to the public with no tickets required. More details.

Film & Brews, Newburgh Brewing Company, Newburgh, NY

November 8: Join Riverkeeper at a special screening of its new documentary about Riverkeeper’s efforts to restore free-flowing creeks in the Hudson Valley. More info.

Protecting Wetlands and Streams in Your Community (WEBINAR)

November 9: This webinar will discuss the importance and functions of wetlands and streams in the Hudson Valley, as well as status and changes to federal and state wetlands and stream regulations and more. Find out more.

Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association Monthly Star Party, Lake Taghkanic State Park, Ancram, NY

November 10: The Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association hosts a monthly stargazing party in the West Beach parking lot. Read more.

Geology Walk, Opus 40, Saugerties, NY

November 11: Join this informative and engaging walk around the sculpture and grounds of Opus 40 with renowned Catskills geologist Dr. Robert Titus. Find out more.

Youth Snowmobile Safety Course, Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton, NY

November 11: The course will cover topics such as NYS laws and regulations, riding skills, trail emergencies, protecting the environment, trail etiquette, maintenance and repair, trailering, etc. More details.

Divided Loyalties: The Revolutionary War Along the Aqueduct Walking Tour, Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, Dobbs Ferry, NY

November 12: Join a free walking tour and learn how the Revolutionary War divided neighbors and families into patriots or loyalists. Read more.

Lenape Storytime, Game, & Craft, Putnam History Museum, Cold Spring, NY

November 14: Children ages 3 -7 are invited to learn about the Lenape people through storytime, game, and craft. Learn more.

Municipal Options for Financing Open Space Protection (WEBINAR)

November 14: This webinar will serve as an interactive forum with local leaders from New Paltz, Red Hook, Bethlehem, and Kingston will share case studies on developing and implementing local open space finance policies. Find out more.

Urban and Community Forestry Grant Information Session (WEBINAR)

November 15: The information session will cover eligible applicants and projects, application requirements and scoring, and other information that will help applicants plan their projects. Register now.

Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War, Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater, NY

November 16: This presentation will highlight some of the key experiences of participants in a war on a distant continent against a people who had done them no harm. Read more.

Artmaking in the Afternoon, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY

November 18: Join educators at this special artmaking program the third Saturday of every month at Olana State Historic Site. Find out more.

Croton Dam Hike, Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park, Cortlandt, NY

November 19: The leader of the hike will discuss the history and construction of the Old Croton Aqueduct and the features of the Croton Dam, the trailhead of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. More info.

Evacuation Day: A Brief History of the End of the American Revolution In New York, Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers, NY

November 25: Learn about the history of Evacuation Day and what happened to the Philipse Manor, their tenants, and the people they enslaved following the American Revolution. More details.

Multiple Cliff Edge Views Hike, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson, NY

November 26: Join an invigorating, post-Thanksgiving hike to see the dramatic views from both Kempton Ledge and Beacon Hill. Read more.

Full Moon Hike: “Beaver Moon”, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville, NY

November 27: Experience the Preserve after dark! Join Shayla, Hailey, and Dave for a 4-mile hike on carriage roads lit by moonlight. Find out more.

Winter Bazaar, Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY

December 2: This year Thacher's Winter Bazaar fills two buildings with handmade local items including woodwork, soaps, jewelry, fruit preserves, basketry and more. More info.

Heritage Spotlight: Washington Irving's Sunnyside, Westchester County

In 1835, Washington Irving (author of such classics as “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle”) bought a two-room Dutch stone house on the banks of the Hudson. He expanded and extensively remodeled the building, adding Tudor-style clustered chimneys, Dutch stepped gables, Gothic windows, and a Spanish tower. Irving also made the grounds more picturesque, planting trees in carefully chosen locations and creating hills, a pond, and a meandering stream with a waterfall. Today, both the house and grounds have been restored to look much as they did in the 1850s. Many of the original furnishings remain, while the wisteria vine Irving planted by the front door continues to bloom each spring. Winding trails throughout the estate afford superb vistas of the river and the landscape, and visitors can walk between Sunnyside and Lyndhurst via the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. Historic Hudson Valley provides a sign language interpreter for visitors who are hearing impaired. Please call in advance to request this service and note that Historic Hudson Valley does not provide transcripts of their tours.  Learn more.

Project Spotlight: Beyond the Museum Walls: History is Alive Outdoors

The Putnam History Museum in Putnam County received a Heritage Development Grant to create an expansive slate of self-guided and self-contained permanent history programs. The programming includes history crawls, take-and-go museum activity bags, history hikes, and history hunts. The History Crawls are self-guided and include a booklet that provides visitors with an interpreted guided walking tour of specific neighborhoods or areas, identifying key stops and areas of historical significance. The take-and-go museum activities bags provide families or individuals with a brief historical overview of a historical neighborhood or theme and include crafts, tools, and more. The History Hikes are self-guided brochures that tell the story of the land that you are hiking upon. The History Hunts are similar to a scavenger hunt, participants are provided with clues that will lead them throughout Putnam County and the Hudson Highlands to historical and culturally significant locations. Learn more about these programs.

Choose Electric

Building a new home or looking to revamp your current home's heating system? Consider installing electric heat. You will avoid the potential leak and fuel issues that often occur with oil and subsequently help our environment. Learn more.

Grant and Funding Opportunities

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. The remaining deadlines for applications this year are due on HRVG's Online Grants Platform by November 3, 2023, and January 26, 2024. More details.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Community Grant Program

Matching grants are available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. The remaining deadlines for applications this year are due on HRVG's Online Grants Platform by November 3, 2023, and January 26, 2024. More info.

National Heritage Area Sponsorships Available

The Maurice D. Hinchey 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 complimenting 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 HRVNHA are eligible to apply. Applications are available on HRVG's Online Grants Platform. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.

2024 Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MARC) Grant 

EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties. Deadline: November 13, 2023. More details.

Free Technical Assistance to Protect Drinking Water Sources

Free technical assistance is available for municipalities to protect public drinking water supplies through the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2). Up to 30 volunteer communities will work with technical assistance providers to develop and implement Drinking Water Source Protection Programs that proactively protect their public drinking water sources. Deadline: November 14, 2023. More info.

Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Grants

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has $240 million available for habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. The grants will support efforts such as reconnecting rivers to their historic floodplains, outplanting corals to rebuild reefs, and building living shorelines that protect coasts from erosion and sea level rise. Deadline: November 17, 2023. Read more.

2023 RTP Trails Achievement Awards

The Coalition for Recreational Trails is excited to be accepting nominations for its 2023 achievement awards which will recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). CRT will host an awards ceremony honoring the winners on January 24, 2024. Deadline: November 17, 2023. Learn more.

2023 Thriving Communities Program

The TCP provides intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver transportation and community revitalization opportunities. Deadline: November 28, 2023. Learn more.

Legacy Trails Grant Program

This program is funded up to $1.5M per year for 5 years through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and supports partner trail projects that further the Legacy Roads and Trails criteria on National Forest System trails throughout the nine Forest Service Regions. The goal of the program is to support projects that restore, protect, and maintain watersheds in our national forests and grasslands. American Trails is administering this grant program, and is soliciting applications for funding, with awards up to $100K per project. Deadline: December 1, 2023. Read more.

New York State Conservation Partnership Program

The New York State Conservation Partnership Program offers competitive matching grants to qualified New York land trusts to advance land conservation, economic development, farmland protection, community conservation, recreation, and tourism. Deadline: December 22, 2023. Learn more.

Environmentally Sustainable Transportation Projects

Projects will be selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria that include public benefit, air quality improvements, cost-effectiveness, and partnerships. Projects must be related to the surface transportation system and provide full access to the public. The TAP-CMAQ-CRP project awards will amount to no less than $500,000 and no more than $5 million for any single project. NYSDOT will provide up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs with a minimum 20 percent match provided by the project sponsor. Eligible project costs may include planning, design/engineering services, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and construction inspection. Deadline: January 9, 2024. More info.

Transportation Alternatives Program

The Transportation Alternatives Program provides funding for a variety of generally smaller-scale transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments. Deadline: January 9, 2024. More details.

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program

The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program provides funds to States for transportation projects designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, particularly in areas of the country that do not attain national air quality standards. Deadline: January 9, 2024. Find out more.

New York State Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program

$60 million in capital grant funding will be available to nonprofit human services organizations through the NICIP to support the delivery of critical services to New Yorkers. Eligible nonprofit organizations that provide direct programs and services to New Yorkers may receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 for the completion of small- and large-scale construction projects. Deadline: January 12, 2024. Read more.

Urban and Community Forestry Program

A total of $12.9 million was made available for urban and community forestry projects through the Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunity. The funding was made available by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program to increase equitable access to healthy trees and green spaces in urban and community forests to support building a clean energy economy, advance environmental justice, and create economic opportunity. Deadline: January 31, 2024. Learn more.

Candevra Foundation Grant Program

The Candreva Environmental Foundation is a New York state-based organization that provides seed money for local environmental education initiatives and projects that engage young people in environmental service. Awards of up to $500 can be used for materials, printing costs, student and teacher travel, communication costs, and other project-related expenses. Grants are limited to Westchester and Putnam Counties. Deadline: June 1, 2024. Find out more.

The Peter H. Brink Leadership Fund

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

Trails Count Grant Program

The Trails Count Grant Program is an assistance grant in partnership with Eco Counter and focuses on the quality of mountain bike trail communities by measuring the number of users on trails to assess the impact of trails. The grants support communities that have the interest and political support to develop trail use measurement systems but need additional assistance. More details.

Extreme Terrain’s Clean Trail Grant Program

This program will provide eligible groups the opportunity to apply for a grant to fund their next trail improvement-related project, which could range from trail clean-up, trail restoration, trail expansion, to name a few. Learn more.

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 

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

Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail Searching for Volunteers

The Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail is searching for volunteers to help them maintain the 18-mile stretch of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail in Columbia County. Please contact them by email at CFETNY@gmail.com if you are interested.