IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Conservancy Trail Grant and Heritage Development Grant Applications are Due by January 31, 2025. MORE DETAILS >>.

HRVG is Requesting Proposals for an Accounting Consultant. READ MORE >>.



NEWS

Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces $306,625 in Grants

At its October Board Meeting, the Hudson River Valley Greenway approved four matching Greenway Planning and six Conservancy Trail awards totaling $306,625.

The funded Community Planning Projects include:

• $20,000 to the Village of Briarcliff Manor for a Comprehensive Plan Update
• $7,500 to the Village of Millerton for Century Boulevard Redevelopment
• $8,000 to the Town of Greenville for a Comprehensive Plan Update
• $10,000 to the Town of Kinderhook for a Comprehensive Plan Update

The funded Conservancy Trail Grants include:

• $67,000 to the Palisades MTB for Red Back Trail Realignment and Upgrade at Sterling Forest State Park
• $33,750 to the Town of Hyde Park for the New Guinea Community Cultural Resource Management Plan & Trail Design
• $5,375 to the Town of Yorktown for North Country Trail Beautification
• $25,000 to the Town of Moreau for Big Bend Trail Winter Access
• $75,000 to the Town of Red Hook for the Red Hook 2024 Saw Kill Trail Linkage Project
• $55,000 to the Town of Halfmoon for the Halfmoon Trail Feasibility

The next round of Community Planning grant applications are due May 2, 2025, and Conservancy Trail Grant applications are due January 31, 2025, through HRVG's Online Grants Platform. Information and guidelines are available on our website.

HRVG Restripes AHET Crosswalks and Other Surface Markings

This past month, the Hudson River Valley Greenway (HRVG) hired a contractor to restripe various crosswalks and other surface markings along the 36-mile Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET) to enhance trail user safety and experience.

HRVG oversaw the construction of AHET, which was completed in 2020 and is responsible for its ongoing operation. We have partnered with local towns, villages, and non-profit friends groups who have agreed to help maintenance the trail.

HRVG and its partners take numerous steps to ensure the quality of the trail, but we can use your help. If you are out on AHET and see hazards to trail users, such as glass, erosion, etc., please contact HRVG by email at hrvg@hudsongreenway.ny.gov to report them. LEARN MORE ABOUT AHET >>.

Economic Impact of NYS Parks Now Rivals Agriculture

A new economic impact report conducted by Parks & Trails New York, The Political Economy Research Institute, and The Natural Heritage Trust finds that the annual GDP of New York State Parks and Historic Sites amounted to $3.7 billion in 2021. This economic impact rivals that of the state’s agricultural sector, which generated $3.3 billion during the same year (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis).

The study, based on data from Jan. 2021 through Dec. 2021, examined the growth of visitation, sales, labor income, and GDP among communities that include state parks and historic sites. This information proves the economic value of New York’s State Park System, in addition to the growing popularity of public spaces and the need for ongoing investment.

The report entitled New York’s State Parks: The Economic Engine for the State finds that park visitors generated $5.8 billion in sales, $2.5 billion in labor income, and $3.7 billion in state GDP in 2021. READ THE FULL STORY >>.

BoatUS Foundation Invites Public to Share Ideas for New Database to Report Abandoned and Derelict Vessels

In an effort to clean up the nation’s coasts and Great Lakes and rid our shores of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is creating a new national ADV database in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to track these environmental and navigation hazards to help facilitate removal.

The Foundation is asking the public to comment on a short feedback form to help determine and prioritize the type of information that needs to be included in the ADV database. The Foundation also hopes to learn how this data is currently collected and seek out new ideas for how it may be better utilized, including how to promote the database and make it more widely accessible to communities, organizations, and governments that may benefit from the information. READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE >>.

News From Our Partners at the Hudson River Estuary Program

Important Reminders

Hudson River Estuary Program's River Access Grants and Tributary Restoration and Resiliency Grants are Due December 12, 2024. LEARN MORE >>.

DEC Does What?!: Sturgeon Thunder

DEC Does What?!”, the bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with the New York Department of Conservation experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Episode 13— “Sturgeon Thunder”—examines DEC’s efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists and environmentalists through events like the ‘Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor,’ which brings together more than 5,000 students and educators for hands-on activities to encourage discovery and interest in protecting the Hudson River.

In this episode, Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald welcome Chris Bowser, Education Coordinator with DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve, who is a passionate advocate for connecting people to nature. They had a wide-ranging conversation on DEC’s education and engagement work in communities along the Hudson River. Bowser is a familiar face to followers of DEC’s social media, often hosting livestream events to engage with viewers and explain DEC’s work to protect New York’s fish, animals, and natural environment. WATCH THIS PODCAST >>.

UPCOMING EVENTS

BASIC SOIL MECHANICS FOR TRAIL BUILDING (WEBINAR)

November 7 | This session will provide applicable knowledge of soil including soil description, grain size distribution and its measurement, clay plasticity, and compaction curves and the importance of water. SIGN UP >>.

ALBANY INSTITUTE FOR ALL WINDMILLS

November 9 | Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany, NY | Drop-in art-making in the classroom Enjoy your visit to the museum, and explore your artistic side with an art project inspired by the museum's exhibitions and collections. LEARN MORE >>.

NATIVE LIFE IN THE HUDSON VALLEY, LENAPE TECHNOLOGIES

November 10 | Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville, NY | Barry Keegan will provide hands-on experience making twine from local plants and will demonstrate Lenape technologies such as flintknapping of stone tools, making animal glue, and using a mortar and pestle for grinding grains and nuts. FIND OUT MORE >>.

PREPARING FOR WINTER HIKE

November 11 | Westmoreland Sanctuary, Mount Kisco, NY | This hike will take you through the forest in the late fall as we explore how local wildlife, and plants prepare for the upcoming winter months. READ MORE >>.

BUILDING A TRAIL-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY (WEBINAR)

November 14 | This webinar introduces you to three simple, concrete strategies to engage your community, entice locals and visitors, and take the next steps toward making the most of outdoor recreation and trails. REGISTER NOW >>.

CRAFT WORKSHOP: VICTORIAN GILDED WALNUT ORNAMENTS

November 15 | Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh, NY | Visit the Gilded Age mansion at Staatsburgh to create lovely small ornaments—a beautiful item to gift or for your own home. LEARN MORE >>.

MINERAL SPRINGS TOUR

November 16 | Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, NY | Join a tour guide at the Creekside Classroom to learn about the mineral springs in the park. MORE INFO >>.

MUD POND HIKE

November 17 | Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort, NY | Join an Educator on a beginner 2.1-mile hike from Nature Trail to Mud Pond. MORE DETAILS >>.

THE STATE OF TRAILS PROGRAM IN HIGHER EDUCATION (WEBINAR)

November 21 | This webinar will discuss the process of developing higher education trail programs that span the spectrum from one-off online certificates to two-year associate degrees and beyond. REGISTER NOW >>.

OLANA Star Party

November 22 | Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY | During this free, drop-in program, learn more about the night sky and when viewable planets and deep-sky objects are visible. READ MORE >>.

THE PUTNAM HISTORY MUSEUM'S GALA

November 24 | Putnam History Museum, Cold Spring, NY | This is an event dedicated to celebrating Putnam County’s history and the exceptional individuals who work to preserve and enhance the local community. FIND OUT MORE >>.

TUESDAY TREK: THE SHORT AND SCENIC ROUTE TO GERTRUDE'S NOSE

November 26 | Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Kerhonkson, NY | Join Laura Conner, Environmental Educator, for an adventurous, six-mile hike to Gertrude's Nose and back on the same route. MORE DETAILS >>.

MOBCAPS AND TRICORNS!

November 30 | Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site, Newburgh, NY | Explore the Museum's exhibits, take a guided tour, and let the children drop-in and create their own play mobcap and tricorn hat. MORE INFO >>.

PAINTING YOUR OWN HOLIDAY CARD

December 1 | Thacher State Park, Voorheesville, NY | Join artist Diane Steele in this introduction to watercolor techniques and painting. LEARN MORE >>.

Olana State Historic Site, Columbia County

In 1860, at the height of his career as one of America’s most renowned landscape painters, Frederic Edwin Church began purchasing farmland overlooking the Hudson River. After a trip to the Middle East in the late 1860s, Church worked with architect Calvert Vaux to design a home on the estate’s highest point that incorporated exotic architectural elements he saw on his travels. A series of towers, balconies, recessed porches, and stenciling adorned the home, which featured a central Court Hall surrounded by living spaces for the family that were filled with an eclectic mix of furnishings and objects. Church used the surrounding land as a three-dimensional canvas, planting thousands of trees, creating a lake, and building over five miles of carriage drives. Olana is considered a landmark of Picturesque landscape gardening, with the house at its summit and embracing unrivaled panoramic views of the Hudson Valley. LEARN MORE ABOUT OLANA STATE HISTORIC SITE >>.

Town of Hebron Community Vision and Strategy

The Town of Hebron in Washington County received a Community Planning Grant to create a Community Vision and Strategy Report. This is the Town's first planning initiative in its 235‐year history. The Town of Hebron is located in east‐central Washington County, along the border of the State of Vermont, and is among a handful of communities in the County that have gained population in the last two decades. Over this time, the town has developed many needs as well as opportunities for improving the community and its economic development. The Town conducted various public outreach strategies to develop the report, which will be used by the Hebron Town Board and interested community stakeholders to advance plan implementation and prepare for future Federal and State funding opportunities. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TOWN OF HEBRON >>.

Now You're Cooking

Generating enough electricity to cook for an hour in a standard electric oven creates 2.7 pounds of CO2. A toaster oven creates 1.3 pounds over 50 minutes; a microwave creates 0.5 pounds over 15 minutes. Use a microwave to save energy. Microwave ovens use around 50% less energy than conventional ovens do. LEARN MORE >>.

GRANT AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

National Historical Publications and Records Commission - Archival Projects Grants Deadline: November 7, 2024

Successful projects of this program will improve online public discovery and use of historical archives, especially collections relating to BIPOC communities or the founding of the US. Applicants can request up to $150,000 and projects can last one or two years. Funds can be used to process, re-house, and/or digitize records as well as any other activities that helps make collections more accessible online. Deadline: November 7, 2024. FIND OUT MORE >>.

Oyster Reef Development and Restoration RFP | Deadline: November 13, 2024

Bottom Type and Oyster Density Sampling and Mapping: Hudson River from Yonkers (Yonkers Yacht Club) to West Harlem Piers (125th Street). The Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission project will install and operate a transmission cable carrying hydroelectric power generated from dams. Significant portions of these cables will be installed in Lake Champlain and in the Hudson, Harlem, and East Rivers. Certificate Condition #165 of the Order Granting the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate) established the $117.15 M Lake Champlain Habitat Enhancement, Restoration, and Research/Habitat Improvement Project Trust Fund. Deadline: November 13, 2024. MORE INFO >>.

Institute for Museum and Library Services Grants | Deadline: November 15, 2024

The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has just announced the latest cycle of several grant opportunities for museums. 

• Museums for America is the largest program, offering grants of up to $250,000. 
• Inspire! is specifically for smaller museums and offers grants from $5,000-$75,000.  
• There are also Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture and Museum Grants for African American History Culture. Funds from these programs can be used for conservation treatment, digitization, collection surveys and assessments, and more.  

Deadline: November 15, 2024. MORE DETAILS >>.

Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program | Deadline: November 21, 2024

The EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis for $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding available to support community-driven projects that build capacity for communities to tackle environmental and climate justice challenges, strengthen their climate resilience, and advance clean energy. Applications will be accepted until November 21, 2024. LEARN MORE >>.

Hudson River Estuary Program: Tributary Restoration and Resiliency | Deadline: December 12, 2024

Approximately $800,000 is available for projects to support restoration of free-flowing waters to benefit water quality, conserve and restore habitat, and help communities with existing and projected impacts of localized flooding. Eligible projects include dam removal, planning for dam removal, initial reconnaissance for feasibility of dam removal, stream crossing replacement, stream crossing design, stream crossing design and replacement, projects that benefit herring and eel and are in closest sequential proximity to tidal waters are priorities. The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum is $300,000. Deadline: December 12, 2024. MORE INFO >>.

Hudson River Estuary Program: River Access | Deadline: December 12, 2024

Planning and Implementation of Access Site Resiliency to Flooding and Sea-Level Rise: Applicants may apply for planning and /or implementation of resiliency projects at Hudson River and tidal tributary public access sites addressing the hazards of intense storms, flooding, and shoreline loss due to climate change and sea-level rise. Planning and Implementation of Accessibility Improvements for People with Disabilities: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition planning, assessments, designs, or plans for new and/or existing access sites along the Hudson River estuary to improve access for boating. Deadline: December 12, 2024. READ MORE >>.

National Scenic Byways Program Grants | Deadline: December 16, 2024

This grant opportunity will result in the award of up to $26.95 million of FY 2023 and FY 2024 funds in grants to States and federally recognized Tribes to implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads (collectively America's Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program. The purpose of the NSBP is to help recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Deadline: December 16, 2024. MORE DETAILS >>.

Funding for Private Landowners to Plant the Forests of the Future | Deadline: January 7, 2025

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is offering this grant program to increase the amount of forested land in New York State to help address climate change, protect air and water quality, increase access to a renewable resource, support local economies, mitigate impacts from extreme heat and flooding, and more. Through ELF, private landowners can apply for financial assistance to establish new forests on properties with 5 acres or more that are not currently forested. This is a reimbursement program, so all costs would be covered by the landowner or fiscal sponsor first and then they would be refunded. Deadline: January 7, 2025. READ MORE >>.

Candevra Foundation Grant Program | Deadline: June 1, 2025

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 Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, and Westchester Counties. Deadline: June 1, 2025. 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. Rolling deadline. MORE INFO >>.

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. Rolling deadline. LEARN MORE >>.

Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program

The Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program by RealTruck is for all who wander off the beaten path, whatever travel method they choose. Since our shared lands are used by hikers, bicyclists, trail runners, and motorized vehicles, we created this initiative to protect public trail access for everyone. Fueled by its mission to create, protect, and maintain – RealTruck will donate up to $5,000 per organization depending on the needs and scope of the project. Grants are designated for use toward education, stewardship, legal fees, or any other activity advocating the conservation of public and private land, as well as access to recreational trails. Rolling deadline. MORE DETAILS >>.

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 

State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. MORE INFO >>.

hudsongreenway.ny.gov | hudsonrivervalley.com