February 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
Moreau Lake State Park Plans 890-acre Addition of Hudson River Waterfront
In January, the Open Space Institute (OSI) announced the acquisition of land in Saratoga County to permanently protect the “Smith Farm” for public use. OSI purchased the 890-acre piece of land from Finch Pruyn Timberlands in the amount of $1.4 million. The property consists of wetland, forest, and two miles of Hudson River waterfront. The newly added land enables the Town of Moreau to continue progress on the the Hudson River Trail that will connect the Moreau Lake State Park with downtown Glen Falls. The conservation of Smith Farm is a priority of a newly developed master plan that was created by OSI and local partners. The Palmertown Range Master Plan offers a conservation and recreation road map for the sector of the Adirondack Foothills that runs from Fort Ticonderoga in the north to Saratoga Springs in the south and is also known as the “Palmertown Range.” The master plan identifies the parcels of land that are critical to protect in order to establish a 13-mile recreational corridor that will link two highly popular state parks – Moreau Lake and Saratoga Spa State Park. Read more .
River Access Funding for the Vicinity of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the release of approximately  $750,000 to help the area in the vicinity of the Villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown plan and construct improvements for recreational access to the tidal waters of the Hudson River. Funding for this grant opportunity is provided by the  Natural Resource Damages  (NRD) GM/Tarrytown Hudson River Settlement. Request for Applications (RFA) are for projects to provide new or improved access at sites for boating, fishing, swimming, enjoyment of nature, or wildlife-related recreation, or educational interpretation of the Hudson River Estuary. These projects must be located on publicly accessible lands along the tidal Hudson or tidal portion of a tributary within 15 miles to the north or south of the former General Motors factory location (address 199 Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591) in the general vicinity of the Village of Sleepy Hollow or Village of Tarrytown. The minimum award amount is $10,500, and the maximum amount is $375,000. Deadline: March 20, 2019 . More info .
The Trust for Public Lands Plans Long Island Connections to the Empire State Trail
In January, the Trust for Public Land unveiled their proposal for a 175-mile multi-use trail stretching from Manhattan all the way to Montauk. The $114 million proposal would extend off the already planned Empire State Trail and consist of roads, parks and utility rights of way. The growing network of trails along the island would help support overcrowded parks, increase tourism, and allow residents to bike to the train. According to the Trust for Public Land, about half of the trail would consist off-road, while the other half on-road. A representative with the Long Island Rail Road said LIRR officials "have met with the group and we're exploring all possibilities." The non-profit group's 66-page report details a variety of route options, such as the Bethpage Bikeway, which links Massapequa through Bethpage State Park to Woodbury's Trail View Park, and the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail, which stretches between Cold Spring Harbor State Park and the Massapequa Preserve. The group anticipates that planning could be complete by as soon as this year, with funding secured by 2020. A number of state and local officials — from parks, transportation and public works agencies — plus the MTA and LIPA would have to approve different parts of the plan.  Learn more .
Northern Valley Greenway Trail Plans New York Connections
New Jersey's Northern Valley Greenway has proposed the purchase of an unused railroad line to be converted into an 8-mile multi-use recreational trail. The proposal would link the Northern Valley Greenway to the Hudson River Valley Greenway system in New York. The current tracks runs through Tenafly, Creskill, Demarest, Closter, Norwood and Northvale, which  approved resolutions to form the Greenway Committee.  Northvale, New Jersey's portion of the line would connect with Orangetown's 4-mile Joseph B. Clarke Rail-Trail, which links to several other trails in New York. The current plans include bike paths, space for walkers and joggers, as well as workout stations along the trail. While the project is still very premature, local officials have expressed confidence in the decisions of committee members. The committee recommended the purchase by using funds from corporate sponsors, donations and federal transportation funds. The committee does not want to seek funds from the municipalities, according to Andrew Mikesh, team leader for the Northern Valley Greenway. Find out more .
Capital District Transportation Committee Released Its Final Trails Plan
With the Empire State Trail (EST) underway, trails have become an ever popular topic in the State of New York, especially in the Capital Region. The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) recently announced the release of their final plans f or a network of 300 trails that will connect all the communities in the Capital Region. The vast interconnecting network of trails will provide safe opportunities for recreation and further access to jobs and local amenities. The report also includes an analysis of current and proposed economic impacts, a branding plan, and trail management best practices. Check out the plan here .
Upcoming Events

Lunar New Year Festival, Gallery at ArtsWestchester, White Plains, NY
February 2: Celebrate the Year of the Pig with an afternoon of traditional Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese music, dance, crafts, games and food. More details .

The African American Experience in WW1, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum , Hyde Park, NY
February 3: Listen to the Ebony Doughboys who are African American living historians who tell the story of the outstanding service of African Americans and then a NYU historian and author Jeffrey T. Sammons, who will present the tale of the extraordinary African American 369th Infantry. Read more .

Transferability Workshop, Masonic Temple, Albany, NY
February 4: Join the Preservation League of NYS and others as they navigate the intricacies of one of their advocacy initiatives this session, the “direct transfer” of historic tax credits. This proposed enhancement to our state historic tax credit will provide a greater return on New York State’s tax credit dollar, which in turn will drive more investment into economic development rehabilitation projects. Learn more .

The Salt Dilemma: Growing Better Urban Trees in Northern Climates [Webinar]
February 5: Can urban trees and city winter weather protocols peacefully co-exist? Join the discussion of the latest research findings related to successfully growing trees under these conditions. Dr. Andrew Millward will walk us through his investigation of the surprising decline and mortality of trees planted using soil cells in a recent urban revitalization project in Toronto. More info .

The Greatest Generation, Yonkers Public Library-Will Branch, Yonkers, NY
February 6: Robert Abate has interviewed over two hundred World War II veterans. Hear Bob talk about about ordinary heroes that were at infamous battles from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay. They are referred to as the Greatest Generation for a reason. Come hear why! Read more .

Downtown Yonkers Gallery Hop, Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Yonkers, NY
February 7: Stop by each of the 4 major downtown galleries: Blue Door Art Center, PC4, Philipse Manor Hall and the Riverfront Library, the first Thursday of each month to view new and exciting exhibits of arts and culture! Find out more .

How Many Adélie Penguins Are There?, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY
February 8: Heather Lynch will discuss threats facing Antarctic penguins and how emerging applications of artificial intelligence and predictive modelling can guide policymakers in their efforts to protect one of the world’s last remaining wildernesses. Read more .

T eatown Hudson River Eaglefest, Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
February 9: Celebrate the return of this magnificent bird with live bird-of-prey shows, educators with viewing scopes observing wild eagles, children’s activities, food trucks, and 25+ environmental organizations — all in heated tents! More info .

German Heritage Day, Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall, Poughkeepsie, NY
February 9: Germania of Poughkeepsie will present the Annual German Heritage Day and Bake Sale, which introduces and shares the German heritage and culture with the Hudson Valley. Learn more .

Nature CSI, Sheldrake Environmental Center, Larchmont, NY
February 9: A whodunnit in nature. Look for clues and evidence of an animal-on-animal crime. What happened? Who was the perpetrator, who was the victim, and were there any witnesses? More info .

Sunday Salons: Evolving Visions and Voices in the Met's American Wing, Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Catskill, NY
February 10: Join Dr. Sylvia Yount, for a discussion of how the American Wing—founded in 1924 for the display and study of historical American decorative arts—is expanding its collecting focus and gallery narratives to create a more pluralistic experience for 21st-century audiences. More details .

Local History Meet-Up, Haverstraw Brick Museum, Haverstraw, NY
February 10: This meetup is an exclusive opportunity to get a “sneak preview” of the “new and improved” brick center, including the recently refurbished Landslide Diorama created by Rockland’s John Rossi. Find out more .

Free Presentation for League Grants, Hudson Area Library, Hudson, NY
February 11: Not-for-profit groups and municipalities are invited to attend a free presentation on Preserve New York (PNY) and Technical Assistance Grants (TAG), the signature grant programs of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League. Learn more .

Coexisting with Coyotes, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY
February 14: A relative new comer to New York, the eastern coyote has successfully expanded its range to every corner of the state, due to their ingenuity and resilience. Learn their natural history, ecological role and how to successfully coexist with them. More info .

Hudson Jazz Festival 2019, Hudson Hall, Hudson, NY
February 15-17: Curated by Hudson-based jazz pianist Armen Donelian, the Hudson Jazz Festival treats jazz aficionados and world music fans to a banquet of masterful artists playing music from around the globe. Find out more .

Drop-In Snowshoe Lessons, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Cragsmoor, NY
February 16: Designed for people who are beginners, interested in trying snowshoeing as a new winter activity. Each session will be run by a Sam’s Point employee who will provide instruction on how to properly wear and adjust the snowshoes, as well as work with you until you are ready to head out on your favorite trail with confidence. Learn more .

Rock and Fossil Fun Fair, NYS Museum, Albany, NY
February 16, 17: Mine for minerals, forage for fossils, experiment with a river replica, and more. With 10 science activities, face painting, balloon animals, and prizes to take home, you won't want to miss this opportunity to have fun with science.  More info .

Washington's Birthday Celebration at the New Windsor Cantonment, New Windsor, NY
February 16, 18: Check out musket and cannon firings. Following the demonstrations children enlist in the Continental Army, drill with wooden muskets and get paid for their service in paper notes. Read more .

Washington's Birthday Celebration at Knox's Headquarters, Vails Gate,NY
February 17: See a small cannon firing. Tours will be held. Free admission. Learn more .

Full Blood Snow Moon Trek, Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Grafton, NY
February 18: Enjoy the silence of a wintry night as you ski or snowshoe under the natural light of the full moon. Depending on conditions, we'll cover about 1 -2 miles. Find out more. More details .

Library Series: Battle of Bennington at Stephentown Memorial Library, Stephentown, NY
February 21: Historic Site Assistant David Pitlyk will deliver a presentation on the history of the Battle of Bennington, drawing from contemporary source material and archaeology. More info .

A Closer Look: A Curator Guide Exploration of the Hidden & Hard-to-see, Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY
February 23: In this special tour by reservation, Staatsburgh’s Curator, Dr. Maria Reynolds, will focus on a selection of objects—from works of art to books, tools, you name it—that are not accessible or easily seen on tour, or which tell a special story. Learn more .

Endangered, Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY
February 23: What does it mean for a species to be endangered and how can we help them? Find out how scientists and policy-makers have brought wildlife back from the brink and learn what challenges still lie ahead. More details .

Snowshoe Walk at Thacher Nature Center, Voorheesville, NY
February 24: Shake off the cabin fever and come up for a snowshoe walk. If we don’t have snow, we’ll take a winter hike. Snowshoes are available to rent. Read more .

Dia: Beacon Complimentary Admission Day, Dia: Beacon, Beacon, NY
February 24: Hudson Valley residents receive free admission to Dia:Beacon on the last Sunday of each month. Find out more.

Inspired by Nature, SUNY Ulster, Stone Ridge, NY
February 28: The beauty and biodiversity of the Shawangunk Ridge serve as inspiration for artists working in media including drawing, literature and painting. Three Hudson Valley artists will discuss how flora, fauna and natural lands inform and shape their work. More info .
Heritage Spotlight: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
The mission of the Stone Barns Center is to create a healthy and sustainable food system that benefits us all. Through food system change, Stone Barns aims to make a difference in many of the problems that plague the planet and society today: soil degradation, water pollution and overuse, an obesity epidemic and poor nutrition, and climate change. Stone Barns Center believes that good food, grown well, can change the world. As an 80-acre working farm in the Hudson River Valley, just 25 miles north of Manhattan, Stone Barns is a center of vegetable, livestock and soil-building experimentation and demonstration. Most of the farm’s produce and meat is sold to Blue Hill at Stone Barns, the award-winning onsite partner restaurant and café, and through the Farm Market. The rest is used in education programs, as children and other visitors cook with and taste what’s grown here. Find out more .
Project Spotlight: Update to the Rensselaer Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan
The County of Rensselaer was awarded a Greenway Community Planning Grant to update the Rensselaer Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan. The original Rensselaer Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan was developed on June 12, 2001 by the Rensselaer County Legislature. As of 2012, the county had protected 2,986 acres of farmland with an additional 897 acres slated for protection. Over the years, there have been significant changes to the agriculture industry in the Northeast, such as price swings and the basic cost of doing business. The plan's update is focused on assessing these changes in the market and developing efficient strategies to continue the growth of the county's agriculture industry.
Green Tip of the Month: Clean diesel is not an oxymoron
Newer clean diesel vehicles are up to 35% more efficient than vehicles with gas engines. Thanks to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, they are among the least polluting vehicles available. 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: February 8, 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 .

Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship
The Tibor T. Polgar Fellowship program is a student research program conducted through the Hudson River Foundation in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Named in honor of the late Dr. Tibor T. Polgar, a major contributor to the early development of the Foundation, this program provides a summertime grant ($5,000 for each fellowship) and research funds (up to $1,000) for eight college students to conduct research on the Hudson River. The objectives of the program are to gather important information on all aspects of the River and to train students in conducting scientific studies and public policy research. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or accepted into a graduate program for the following fall. Both undergraduate and early career graduate students may apply. Projects must be designed to be completed during one summer season. Deadline: February 11, 2019 . More details .

EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants
The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) program awards grants that support community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities. The EJSG program will award approximately $1.5 million nationwide for this competitive opportunity. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 50 grants (5 per EPA region) of up to $30,000 each. These grants are for one-year projects. Deadline: February 15, 2019 . Find out more .

Invasive Species Grant Program
The newly consolidated Invasive Species Grant Program will combine previous opportunities, such as the Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention and the Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species Early Detection/Rapid Response grants, to create a single grant program designed to support projects that target both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. In addition, the Invasive Species Grant program will allow applications for two new categories: Lake Management Planning and Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species Research. Approximately $3,000,000 in grant funding from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is available for eligible projects. Minimum grant amount is $11,000. Maximum grant amount is $100,000. Deadline: February 15, 2019 . More details .

Hudson River Access Resiliency Guidance
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the availability of $50,000 to help communities and site managers assess flooding risk and plan for flooding and sea-level rise at shorefront parklands and river access sites along the Hudson River estuary. The funding will help communities with fishing, boating, and swimming sites along the Hudson River and its tidal tributaries improve resiliency through design and planning guidelines that mitigate climate risks and allow for quick recovery from storm events. The grant will result in a regional planning guide and associated outreach. The deadline for proposals is Feb. 15, 2019 . The RFP and application is available on NEIWPCC's website . General information about the RFP can be found on the DEC website.

New Drinking Water Source Protection Program
New York State DEC and the Department of Health announced a statewide program to help municipalities develop and implement protection plans for their drinking water sources. The deadline is approaching and the state invites all community public water supplies to apply for this new Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) .
The State will partner with up to 30 communities to: update drinking water assessments, develop plans to protect public water supply source water areas, and assist municipalities with plan implementation. The state will hire a consultant to work with the communities, and there will be no out-of-pocket costs to participating municipalities for plan development. Municipalities that have already developed a drinking water source protection plan are able to participate in the program. Municipalities will need to submit their current plan with their application. Applications are due February 15, 2019 . To apply, visit the Drinking Water Source Protection Program Applicants webpage and complete the online application.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors
In July 1997, George P. Mitchell made a generous gift to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to establish the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors in honor of his wife. The purpose of the fund is to assist in the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic interiors. Grants from the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors 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. The 2019 application deadline is March 1, 2019 .   Discover more .

Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation
In July 1994, the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation was created in honor of Johanna Favrot’s 80th birthday. The fund aims to save historic environments in order to foster an appreciation of our nation’s diverse cultural heritage and to preserve and revitalize the livability of the nation’s communities. Grants from the Johanna Favrot Fund for Historic Preservation 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. The 2019 application deadline is March 1, 2019 . Read 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: March 1, 2019 for a planting in spring, and August 1, 2019 for planting in the fall. More info .

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. Deadline: March 8, 2019 . Find out more .

Mark B. Bain Graduate Fellowship
In 2019, the Foundation will award up to six full-time research fellowships to advanced graduate students conducting research on the Hudson River system. A fellowship awarded to a doctoral student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student’s graduate institution, in an amount of up to $19,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget poloof up to $1,000. A fellowship awarded to a master’s level student will include a stipend consistent with the policy of the student’s graduate institution, of up to $15,000 for one year, and an incidentals research budget of up to $1,000. Deadline: March 11, 2019 . Read more .

River Access Funding for the Vicinity of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown
Approximately  $750,000 is now available  to help the area in the vicinity of the Villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown plan and construct improvements for recreational access to the tidal waters of the Hudson River. Funding for this grant opportunity is provided by the  Natural Resource Damages  (NRD) GM/Tarrytown Hudson River Settlement. Request for Applications (RFA) are for projects to provide new or improved access at sites for boating, fishing, swimming, enjoyment of nature, or wildlife-related recreation, or educational interpretation of the Hudson River estuary. These projects must be located on publicly accessible lands along the tidal Hudson or tidal portion of a tributary within 15 miles to the north or south of the former General Motors factory location (address 199 Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591) in the general vicinity of the Village of Sleepy Hollow or Village of Tarrytown. The minimum award amount is $10,500, and the maximum amount is $375,000. D eadline: March 20, 2019 . More info .

Preserve New York Grants
Launched in 1993 through a partnership between NYSCA and the Preservation League, Preserve New York makes grants for historic structure reports, building condition reports, cultural landscape reports, and cultural resource surveys. These grants help municipalities and not-for-profit organizations conserve and protect their cultural resources and are an important catalyst in realizing community preservation goals. Not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and units of local government are eligible to apply. Arts and cultural organizations are particularly encouraged to apply. Deadline: March 25, 2019 . Find out 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 .

Volunteers Needed at the Clermont State Historic Site
Calling All Volunteers! The Friends of the Clermont State Historic Site are putting the final touches on their 2019 calendar and could use volunteers for many of the events - can you help? Volunteers can:
  • Help out at fundraising events and programs
  • Work in the teaching garden
  • Assist in the Friends' office
For more info e-mail [email protected] .

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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