August 2017
Barnabas McHenry, Chair Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Kevin M. Burke, Acting Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley, Acting Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Acting Executive Director Greenway,
Acting Director National Heritage Area  
Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
Design Your Own Town Website
With increasingly scarce resources for professional planning  throughout the Hudson River Valley region, the Design Your Own Town website is a new one-of-a-kind resource to help community leaders and citizen planners who are relatively untrained in land-use planning and community design develop their municipalities using best-practice implementation strategies. The extensive material on the website is organized on three themes: Nature, Complete Communities, and Links. All aspects of community planning such as where to grow, best-practice details, and how to implement actions in terms of planning, regulation, and administration are covered. The Hudson River Valley Greenway is proud to have been a key partner in the development of this website as it provides an essential toolkit for community land-use planning.  It can be found here.

Public Meeting for Proposed Albany-Hudson Electric Trail
The proposed Albany-Hudson Electric Trail will serve as a vital link in the Empire State Trail connecting the City of Rensselaer and the City of Hudson and will create new access to recreational opportunities in Rensselaer and Columbia Counties. The Hudson River Valley Greenway invites local leaders, members of the public, trail groups, and interested organizations to attend one of two important public information meetings to seek input on the creation of the proposed Albany-Hudson Electric Trail. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, August 8th, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Columbia High School Auditorium in East Greenbush, NY. The second meeting will be on Thursday, August 10th, 2017 from 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM at Ichabod Crane High School Auditorium in Valatie, NY. During the meeting, representatives from the Hudson River Valley Greenway will discuss the project’s goals, opportunities, and schedule, provide a detailed description of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail’s proposed 35-mile route, release a draft Albany-Hudson Electric Trail Concept Plan for public review and comment and provide a forum to answer questions and receive comments from the community. Read more here.
Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley Board Meeting Rescheduled
The next board meeting for the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and the Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley has been rescheduled and will now be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at the Henry Wallace Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Home in Hyde Park, NY.

2017 Hudson River Valley Ramble!
This year's Hudson River Valley Ramble  will be held September 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-October 1. The 2017 Ramble will feature over 225 recreational and cultural events highlighting the rich diversity of the Hudson River Valley region. To find the Ramble event just for you, please click here.
National Park Service Community Assistance Program Directory
The National Park Service has recently launched the Directory of Community Assistance Programs. It contains information on 54 programs that provide funding, technical assistance, and other resources to community groups for historic preservation, investment in historic sites, recreation, and improved access to public lands as well as to education and professional development. Community Assistance Programs empower local organizations to advance historic preservation and conservation work in rural and urban communities and they serve as economic drivers, transforming underutilized places into community assets that enhance quality of life and boost local economies through tourism and job creation. These programs can be very helpful resources for communities and organizations in the diverse and historically rich Hudson River Valley region. More information on National Park Service Community Assistance Programs can be found here. The directory can be found here.
National Park Service America the Beautiful Senior Passes
The National Park Service America the Beautiful Senior Pass is available for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass allows access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Starting August 28, the fee for the National Park Service America the Beautiful Senior Pass will increase from $10 to $80 for a lifetime pass. Customers are strongly urged to purchase a senior pass before the fee increases. For a list of places to purchase the pass, please click here. To purchase a pass online, please click here.
Upcoming Events

Russel Sage, The Money King, Troy, NY
 On August 4 at 7:00 PM at the Gardner Earl Chapel at Oakwood Cemetary, historian Michael Barrett will present the salacious details of the life of Russel Sage. Sage used his skills at financial manipulation to become incredibly wealthy during the Gilded Age. However, that wealth was later used in one of the greatest stories of philanthropic retaliation in American history. Come to hear this story. For more information and to register, call 1-800-556-6273.

Revolutionary Camp Night at the Historic Huts , New Windsor, NY
On August 5 from 7:30 to 9:00 PM, the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site will host Revolutionary Camp Night at the Historic Huts. C andlelight military drills, musket firings and other period activities will take place at the encampment.  More information about the New Windsor Cantonment is here. 

Great Hudson River Fish Count
On August 5 at 18 sites along the Hudson River from Waterford to Manhattan, groups armed with seine nets, minnow pots, crab traps, and fishing rods will get a chance to see the variety of slippery, wriggly, and fascinating creatures usually hidden below the surface of the Hudson estuary. The Hudson estuary and its watershed are home to more than 200 fish species, including several that migrate into the river from the Atlantic Ocean each spring to spawn. This is a family-friendly event! For a list of locations and times, please click here.

Purple Heart Appreciation Day, New Windsor, NY
Join the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor on Sunday, August 6 at 2:00 PM to commemorate the 235th anniversary of General Washington’s order creating the Badge of Military Merit, predecessor for the modern Purple Heart.  The program will begin at 2:00 PM and will highlight the history of the Badge and its relationship to the modern Purple Heart.  The event will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal, with a presentation about Guadalcanal that will include excerpts from personal recollections of the battle archived at the Hall of Honor. For more information, please call (845) 561-1765.

Canoe Trip through Iona Marsh, Rockland County, NY
Join the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum for a canoe trip through Iona Marsh on August 8 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Nestled in the Hudson Highlands adjacent to Bear Mountain State Park, this wetland features marsh flowers, snapping turtles, and dramatic views of Dunderberg, Bald, West, and Manitou Mountains. Search for hidden wildlife and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Equipment will be provided. Registration is required. For more information and to register, call (845) 534-5506 ext. 204 or click here.
Riverport Sailing School, Kingston, NY
 From August 7 to August 18, the Hudson River Maritime Museum and the Kingston Sailing Club will offer two weeks of introductory sailing events for youths and teens to launch the new Riverport Sailing School. Lessons will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day for each session and will be taught by US Sailing certified instructors. For more information and to register, please click here .

Kiki Smith / From the Creek, Catskill, NY
Inspired by the great natural beauty of the Catskills and the Hudson River Valley, internationally acclaimed contemporary artist Kiki Smith has created a new multidisciplinary exhibition throughout the Thomas Cole National Historic Site where the groundbreaking American artist Thomas Cole lived and worked almost two centuries ago. The solo exhibition, which includes more than 25 works by Smith, will be unveiled on Saturday, August 12, and run through Sunday, October 29, 2017. There will be an opening reception for the exhibit on August 12 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. For more information, please click here.

Butterfly Weekend, Cornwall, NY
 From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on August 12 and 13, the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum will host its annual Butterfly Weekend at the Museum's Outdoor Discovery Center. Participants, guided by the Museum's Environmental Educators, will discover the beauty and unique qualities of butterflies, moths, and caterpillars. For more information, call 845-534-5506, ext. 204 or click here .

Make Your Own Badge of Military Merit at Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, NY
 On Saturday, August 12 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday, August 13 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, come to Washington's Headquarters to make your own Badge of Military Merit. This event is to celebrate the creation of the Continental Army’s first award given to enlisted men. General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, which later became known as the Purple Heart, on August 7th, 1782, during the last days of the Revolutionary War while at his headquarters in Newburgh. For more information about this event, call (845) 562-1195 

Summer 2017 Junior Naturalists Program, Kerhonkson, NY
The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is hosting its Junior Naturalist program using a variety of themes on Wednesdays and Thursdays to August 15. This innovative program offers parents the opportunity to join in exploration of the environment with their children. All programs include time outside discovering the glorious trails of Minnewaska. Pre-registration is required and all children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 18. For more information and to register, please call the Miinnewaska State Park Office at (845) 255-0752.

Tappan Zee Bridge Experience: Past, Present, and Future on the River Rose, West Haverstraw, NY
 On August 15, the River Rose, a Mississippi-style paddle wheeler, will cruise along the Rockland shore of the Hudson River to the Tappan Zee Bridge to observe what is currently the largest infrastructure project taking place in the United States.  Cruising on the River Rose will provide a unique vantage point in observing the progress of this project. The Historical Society of Rockland County is pleased to present these trips. Trips will leave from the Haverstraw Marina and will last about five hours. Tickets are on sale now. For more information and to register, please click here

Music in the Parks, Hyde Park, NY
On August 16, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is hosting a free lawn concert.  Enjoy an evening of music with friends on the beautiful lush landscapes of the Vanderbilt Mansion overlooking the Hudson River. The outdoor concert begins at 6:30 PM. The 2017 schedule is available  here . 

Nature Walk, Lewisboro, NY
Sponsored by Bedford Audubon, on Thursday, August 17 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, Naturalist Tait Johansson will lead a quest to find some of the many species of dragonflies and butterflies that inhabit the wetlands, meadows, and shrublands of the Bylane Farm area in Hunt-Parker Sanctuary. For more information, please call (914) 302-9713 or click here.

BioBlitz, Winnakee Nature Preserve, Hyde Park, NY
The Winnakee Land Trust will host an invasive species BioBlitz on August 19 and 20 at its nature preserve in Hyde Park. Naturalists, nature lovers, children, and anyone interested in knowing more about local flora, fauna, and biodiversity are encouraged to participate. The event is free of charge. For more information and to register, please click here.

6th Annual Champlain Canalway Trail Bicycle Tour, Schuylerville, NY
 The tour will take place on August 20 at 9:00 AM starting near Schuylerville at Hudson Crossing Park. The tour will cross the Hudson River and proceed north to Fort Edward along the Feeder Canal Trail to Murray Park in Hudson Falls. Lunch will be provided. After lunch, riders will backtrack to Lock 7 at Fort Edward, where they have the option of boarding the Paddle-wheeler Caldwell Belle of Mohawk Maiden Cruises for the return to Hudson Crossing Park or biking back to the start. The total distance of the basic day-long tour will be 20 to 30 miles depending on the option chosen. There also will be a 45- to 50-mile ride, with or without the cruise aboard Mohawk Maiden Cruises. For details and to register, please visit here.

Jazz in the Valley, Poughkeepsie, NY
On August 20, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 midnight, Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie will once again host Jazz in the Valley, a festival of jazz  showcasing music performed by world-class musicians, fittingly complemented by breathtaking views of the Hudson River Valley as backdrop. The year's festival will highlight Delfeayo Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Javon Jackson, Elio Villafrana, Mala Waldron, and Christopher Dean Sullivan. More information and tickets can be found here.

Reading the Forested Landscape, A Natural History of New England, East Nassau, NY
On August 26 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance is hosting renowned ecologist and author Tom Wessels to lead a program based on his book Reading the Forested Landscape, A Natural History of New England. This program, meeting at the Hoags Corners Ambulance Corps and moving into the Albert Family Community Forest, will feature a walk in the woods that will be a forensic ecology expedition.  Tickets are available here. 


The 4th Outdoor Sculpture Biennial,  Wilderstein Historic Site, Rhinebeck, NY
The 4th Outdoor Sculpture Biennial will take place at the Wilderstein Historic Site until October 31. Displays may be seen during the Site's opening hours between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The Biennial includes eighteen sculptures and installations by a diverse group of Hudson Valley and regional artists. The sculptures will grace the breathtaking Calvert Vaux designed grounds of the renowned Wilderstein Estate overlooking the Hudson River. For more information on the Biennial and the Wilderstein Historic Site, please click here, or call (845) 876-4818.

Heritage Spotlight: USS Slater

Docked on the Hudson River at Albany, NY, the USS Slater is the last destroyer escort from WW II afloat in the United States and one of the last destroyer escorts left anywhere in the world. Destroyer escorts were a vital component of the Allied strategy for victory in the Atlantic. They hunted German submarines and escorted the convoys of supply ships that carried the forces needed to win the war in Europe. Destroyer escorts also served in some of the most dangerous areas of the Pacific Theater and played a significant role in some of the key battles. Serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters, the USS Slater has been painstakingly restored to its original WW II configuration and is today open for tours Wednesdays through Sundays from late April to late November. To find out more about the USS Slater and to plan your visit, please click here.
Project Spotlight: Historic Huguenot Street, a Featured Summer Destination
One of the highlights of a trip to New Paltz is Historic Huguenot Street. It is a 10-acre National Historic Landmark District that includes a Visitor Center, seven historic stone houses, a reconstructed 1717 Huguenot church, a replica Munsee wigwam, archaeological sites, and a burial ground that dates to the very first settlers. Tying all these together is a newly designed experiential history program for visitors. Recent Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area grants have been instrumental in promoting Historic Huguenot Street as a tourism destination. In spring 2017, a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area grant funded the construction of the Munsee wigwam to commemorate the 340th anniversary of the signing of the 1677 land agreement between the native Munsee Esopus people and the Huguenot founders. In 2016, another Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area grant funded the development of a program that brings the historical tour to life by offering a more interactive and hands on visitor experience.  In July, WRGB TV CBS 6 in Albany featured Historic Huguenot Street in a visit to New Paltz for its annual summer Road Trippin' series. Reporter Julia Dunn toured the popular replica Munsee wigwam and learned about the family-centered activities of the experiential history program.  To find out more about Historic Huguenot Street, please click here. To watch the CBS 6 video, please click here.
Grant and Funding Opportunities 

Greenway Conservancy Trail Grants Program
The 2017 Conservancy Trail Grant Application is now available.   This annual grant program is dedicated to funding recreational trail projects.The 2017 application emphasizes connections to the Empire State Trail. Applications are due by 4:00 PM, September 8, 2017. More information can be found here.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Program
Matching grants available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: September 8. More here.

Fall 2017 Technical Assistance Grant Program
The Technical Assistance Grant program is the signature grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and the Preservation League of New York State. It was launched in 2012 to support the preservation of New York State's cultural and historic resources. Grants of up to $3,000 are available to not-for-profit arts and cultural groups, municipalities managing historic sites, museums, arts facilities, and other culturally important institutions that are open to the public. Fall applications must be submitted before September 11. Information about the Technical Assistance Grants can be found here. For further assistance, please contact Preservation Associate Frances Gubler at (518) 462-5658 x 10, or email here.

New York State Assembly Grants Action News 
State, federal, and private grant information from the New York State Assembly. More  here . 

Greater Hudson Heritage Network is Hiring
The Greater Hudson Heritage Network is seeking a part-time Program Assistant to begin work September 1, 2017. This part-time, year-round position (with full-time potential) reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Program Director in the development and implementation of GHHN activities including three grant programs managed by the Greater Hudson Heritage Network as well as workshops, the GHHN E-newsletter and membership management. The position is 16 hours/week with more hours required during certain periods. The application deadline is August 4, 2017. To read the full job announcement, please click here.

Erie Canalway NHC Call for Proposals for Water Trail Guidebook Writer
 The Erie Canalway NHC and  its non-profit affiliate Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc. are seeking creative proposals from a qualified writer/author to develop and author content for a printed Water Trail Guide Book and Navigational Map Set, and to organize and prepare content for an existing online water trail interactive web site for the New York State Canalway Water Trail (including the Erie, Oswego, Cayuga-Seneca, and Champlain Canals). The project will expand upon work by the New York State Canal Corporation, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the National Park Service (NPS) Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program, the NPS Northeast Regional Office, and a U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative in the New York Finger Lakes Region. For more information, please contact ECNHC Program Manager Brian Yates at 518-237-7000 x 220, or by email here. 

Free Native Plants to Improve Stream Habitat
 If you own or manage land along a stream, you can apply for free native plants to help reduce erosion and improve habitat along the stream. The Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs Program offers trees or shrubs for planting along tributary streams in the Hudson River Estuary watershed. Staff can also assist with a planting plan. Applications are now being accepted for fall planting projects. For more information and to download an application, please click here.  For inquiries about this program please call (845) 256-2253 or email here.
Green Tip of the Month: Creating Open Space, Right in Your Backyard
Habitat destruction is one of the greatest threats to wildlife species in New York. Because of the loss of open space, many species are unable to breed, forage, or find shelter. However, you can do something to help create a habitat for native plant and animal species. To do so, especially if you have a larger property, simply allow a meadow to grow by not mowing your grass, leaving dead trees standing, and allowing bushes and other wildlife supporting plants to come in naturally. By doing this, a natural habitat full of biodiversity will quickly gain a foothold. To find out more about what you can do to protect wildlife and open space, please click here for details from the NYSDEC.
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