Barnabas McHenry, Chairman Greenway Council, Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Kevin M. Burke, Chairman, Greenway Conservancy for the Hudson River Valley,
Co-Chair National Heritage Area
Scott Keller, Executive Director Greenway,
Director National Heritage Area
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Monthly News, Events, & Grant
Opportunities
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Important Reminders
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Greenway Planning, Greenway Trail, and Heritage Development Grant Applications are Due September 10, 2021. More details.
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The Hudson River Valley Ramble Includes 150 Events Throughout September. View events.
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It's Time to Ramble!
This year the Hudson River Valley Ramble is celebrating its 21st anniversary with 150 recreational and cultural events highlighting the rich diversity of the Hudson River Valley region.
Every September, ‘Ramblers’ come not only from the Hudson Valley region and New York State, but from other regions of the country as well to discover the riches our Valley has to offer. Whether you are looking for a challenging hike, bike ride or paddle, an inspiring walk through the grounds and homes of some of the Valleys most notable artists, authors, and Great Americans, a trip back in time to experience the significant role the region played in the Revolutionary War, or a family-fun festival or river exploration event, the Hudson River Valley Ramble truly offers something for everyone!
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State Department of Agriculture Asking Residents to Help Combat Spotted Lanternfly
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is asking for the public’s help in combatting the Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), an invasive pest from Asia. First found in New York State on Staten Island in August 2020, the population has now been observed in all NYC boroughs. SLF is a destructive pest that feeds on more than 70 plant species, including tree-of-heaven, and plants and crops that are critical to New York’s agricultural economy, such as grapevine, apple trees, and hops.
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Hiker Safety Enhanced with New Ninham Trail
A new trail opened this season at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve in the Hudson Valley that improves hiker safety on Breakneck Ridge, one of the most physically demanding hikes in the region.
The new half-mile Ninham Trail, named for the last chief (also called a sachem) of the Wappinger native people of the area, provides for safer hiker and staff access to the narrow and steep Breakneck Ridge Trail.
This is the first construction project managed by the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, a new non-profit working with State Parks and the 19 other project partners to advance the 7.5-mile Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail linear park along the Hudson River’s eastern shore between Beacon and Cold Spring.
Trail building company Tahawus Trails, with assistance from the volunteer Jolly Rovers Trail Crew of Poughkeepsie, constructed the new Ninham Trail with more than 500 hand-cut stone stairs harvested from the slopes of Breakneck Ridge. With this new trail, foot traffic on the lower Breakneck Ridge ascent is now one-way ascending only. Read the full press release.
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News From Our Partners at the Hudson River Estuary Program |
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Shortnose Sturgeon: New Population Study Underway
The shortnose sturgeon was the first fish listed as endangered with enactment of the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Soon after, researchers conducted a population estimate for Hudson River shortnose sturgeon in order to develop recommendations for managing the recovery of this fish. A second population study in the 1990s indicated a substantial increase in the spawning population from the 1970s.
The shortnose sturgeon population in the Hudson River may now be the largest in the world. However, this assessment is based on research that is several decades old, and new studies are needed to support management and recovery actions. Newer technologies are now available, such as high-resolution side-scan sonar and acoustic telemetry, which have been successfully used to provide enhanced population estimates for other sturgeons.
This spring, academic, federal, and state research scientists embarked on a large-scale project that will provide an updated estimate for the Hudson’s shortnose sturgeon population using acoustic telemetry and side-scan sonar. In April and May, 50 adult shortnose sturgeon were netted on the spawning grounds north of Coxsackie and surgically implanted with long-lived (10-year) acoustic transmitters. These transmitters will be detected on a river-wide array of acoustic receivers as the fish move throughout the Hudson River estuary.
In the winter, fisheries staff will use side-scan sonar to image and count individual shortnose sturgeon in overwintering areas. These estimates will be mathematically merged with the river-wide telemetry data to estimate the proportion of individual fish in the overwintering areas, and by extension, in the overall Hudson River. Read more.
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Upcoming Events
*Please note that, while many heritage sites in the Hudson Valley have begun to reopen cautiously due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, some sites are still closed or have reduced hours. Please call the individual sites directly to inquire about their current status. New York State Parks remain open. While enjoying the outdoors, please follow the CDC/New York State Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19.
Download the Hudson River Train Tour App
Between New York City and Albany, a world of history, nature, and culture awaits you. And there’s no better way to experience it all than by riding a train through the Hudson Valley. With the new, free Hudson River Train Tour app, you’ll discover what’s out that train window…and beyond. Learn more.
Guided House Tour, Armour-Stiner Octagon House, Irvington, NY
September 3-5: Visit the only known residence built in the form of a domed, ancient classical temple. This 1-hour tour will explore the whimsical summer retreat created in 1872 by tea-importer Joseph Stiner. More info.
Labor Day Weekend Bird Walk, Olana State Historic Site, Hudson, NY
September 4: Get your binoculars ready for this Labor Day Weekend Bird Walk! Join the Alan Devoe Bird Club on an exploration through Olana’s artist-designed landscape while keeping eyes and ears open for local birds. More details.
Cranberry Lake Preserve Hike, Cranberry Lake Preserve, White Plains, NY
September 4: Join the author of "Hiking the Road to Ruins," for a comprehensive exploration of all the historic sites with the preserve: dynamite shed site, mysterious stone chamber, quarry, railroad bed, and much more. Learn more.
40th Annual Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair, Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz, NY
September 4-6: Shop from over 200 juried exhibitors and engage in ongoing craft demonstrations, from wood-turning, to torch-blown jewelry making, metal-smithing, soap-making and much, much more! Find out more.
Grow Your Own Mushrooms, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Cragsmoor. NY
September 5: Grow Your Own Mushrooms at Sam’s Point in this hands-on program where you will explore how to grow your own edible mushrooms at home! Sign up.
Sunset Tour, Untermyer Park & Gardens, Yonkers, NY
September 5: Enjoy the gardens as the sun sinks over the Palisades while taking a leisurely guided tour of the Walled Garden, Vista, and Temple of Love. Read more.
USS SLATER Open for Tours, USS Slater DE766, Albany, NY
September 6: Tour the last World War II Destroyer Escort afloat in America. More info.
Boat Tour - Kafanica Balkan Cafe Music, Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, NY
September 9: Join the HRMM for Kafanica Balkan Cafe Music aboard Solaris, the 100% solar-powered tour boat built by the HRMM. Learn more.
Some Like it Hot: Making a Spicy Sauce, Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown, NY
September 11: You will have the opportunity to start your sauce from scratch, using local peppers ranging from mild to super-hot and flavor powerhouses like garlic, onion, and fruit for balance. More details.
Croton Dam Hike, Croton Gorge Park, Cortlandt, NY
September 12: Take a hike to the Old Croton Aqueduct trail to the top of the beautiful Croton Dam, overlooking the Croton Reservoir with its water views and dramatic spillway. Find out more.
Fall Crafts, Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown, NY
September 17-19: Visitors can spend the day shopping with family and friends and enjoy gourmet specialties, tastings from local distilleries, craft demos, and family activities! Learn more.
In Their Own Words - The Battle for Fort Montgomery!, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site, Fort Montgomery, NY
September 18: Come for a unique, extended tour of one of the Hudson Valley's most dramatic battle sites! This ramble will bring to life the Revolutionary War attack on Fort Montgomery using the words of the soldiers who were there and what they left behind. Read more.
Iona Island Educational Canoe Trip, Iona Island, Bear Mountain, NY
September 19: Paddle through this marshy maze with Reserve naturalists. Nestled in the Hudson Highlands adjacent to Bear Mountain State Park, this wetland features flowering marsh plants, cattails, and soaring raptors. More details.
Full Moon Hike: "Harvest Moon", Rockefeller State Park Preserve, Pleasantville, NY
September 20: Every month the park gives hikers an opportunity to experience the Preserve after dark in the "Full Moon Hike" series. Learn more.
LaGrange Wappinger Creek Greenway Trail Walk, Lagrange, NY
September 21: Enjoy a walk in a serene woodland setting on a beautiful nature trail that winds for over a mile along the banks of the Wappinger Creek under a canopy of sycamore. oak, maple, hickory, cottonwood, and other trees. Find out more.
Winnakee-Dutchess Trails Roundtable (WEBINAR)
September 21: This roundtable will include a presentation on the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, as well as share news and updates on local trail projects. More info.
Democracy in Action: The Role of Attorney General and the Public Good (WEBINAR)
September 23: Join the Archives Partnership Trust for an engaging evening of conversation between current New York State Attorney General Letitia James and former Attorney General Robert Abrams, author of Luckiest Guy in the World: My Journey in Politics. Learn more.
Hollowed Harvest, Altamont Fairgrounds, Altamont, NY
September 24: Experience the spooky family fun of Halloween at the Hollowed Harvest! The Hollowed Harvest brings to life more than 7,000 incredible Jack-O'-Lanterns creating stunning landscapes and larger-than-life displays. More info.
Industrial History Along the Troy's Wynantskill, Burden Iron Works Museum, Troy, NY
September 25: Come learn about the local history and the changing landscape of south Troy shaped by the Wynants Kill from Colonial time mills to the Industrial Era Burden Iron Works. Read more.
Museum Resources Webinar Series - Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art (WEBINAR)
September 27: Get some ideas to incorporate in the classroom for the fall, activities to do with your kids or just hear about all the ways the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art engages with the public! More details.
Hike Historic Fort Hill Park with Senator Pete Harckham, Fort Hill Park, Peekskill, NY
September 26: Join New York State Senator Pete Harckham for a hike into Peekskill's hidden gem, Fort Hill Park. Find out more.
Sterling Forest Fire Tower Ramble, Sterling Forest State Park, Tuxedo, NY
September 29: The Fire Tower Ramble is a moderate 4-mile loop highlighted by scenic views of Sterling Forest. Learn more.
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Heritage Spotlight: Crailo State Historic Site
Originally constructed for Hendrick Van Rensselaer, the grandson of Kiliaen van Rensselaer, the first patron of Rensselaerswyck, whose landholdings encompassed much of present-day Albany and Rensselaer counties. The Crailo estate encompassed about 1500 acres east of the Hudson River, part of which was in present-day Claverack in Columbia County. The home was as a fortress, with thick walls, gunports and even a palisade at one point, which served the family, tenant farmers, soldiers and slaves well in times of threat. Later in the 18th century, the brick structure was remodeled, first in the Georgian and then the Federal style. Exhibits focus on the daily life of the Dutch colonists, and include examples of household objects, games, furniture, weapons, and building materials. Also on display are artifacts uncovered during archaeological digs at the site of Fort Orange, erected in 1624 near Albany to serve as a trading post for the first Dutch settlers. Learn more.
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Project Spotlight: Recreation, Nature, and Sports Exhibition
celebrates the recreational history of Putnam County, Philipstown, and the Hudson Highlands. In the first phase of this project, an outdoor panel exhibition of Putnam at Play was installed to provide visitors with socially distant interpretation in the Winter and Spring. In May of 2021, the indoor exhibition was installed, which explores the development of leisure and sports in Putnam County and the Hudson Valley throughout the 19th and 20th centuries and features over 30 vintage postcards of the Hudson Highlands, a 19th century model of the Mary Powell, early 20th century local baseball jerseys and ephemera, contemporary steamboat and rail timetables and brochures, 19th century workout equipment, photos, maps, paintings, and more. Over 100 historical documents and artifacts are on display in this extensive exhibition. Both the indoor and outdoor versions of the exhibition explore the intertwined historical narratives related to industrialization, transportation, recreation, race, gender, and conservation. Learn more about Putnam at Play and other current exhibitions at the Putnam History Museum.
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Take Notes on Your Tablet
Consider an electronic tablet for your note-taking needs and more. If this is not an option, use both sides of a page for notetaking. Learn more.
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Grant and Funding Opportunities
Hudson River Valley Greenway Community Grant Program
Matching grants are available for Greenway Communities and Greenway Compact Communities. Deadline: September 10, 2021. More info.
Heritage Development Grants
This annual grant program offers funding for programming, interpretation, and marketing projects that support the mutual goals of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (HRVNHA) and applicants. Grants will typically range from $1,000 to $5,000. Grant program guidelines and applications are available on the HRVNHA's website. One notable departure for this round is that staff time is eligible to be reimbursed, but only if that staff time is for the direct development of programming or interpretation, as identified in the grant application. We will be accepting applications with a September 10, 2021 submittal deadline, particularly focused on creating virtual tours and programming. Please note, that there is a new budget form with the application packet. Applicants should not use an older version of the budget form.
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. Applications are due September 10, 2021. More details.
National Heritage Area Sponsorships 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 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. Sponsorships will have an additional focus on events promoting the 19th Amendment and/or Women's in History in the Hudson Valley for the year 2020. Municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the HRVNHA are eligible to apply. For more information, please contact Dan Jeanson at daniel.jeanson@hudsongreenway.ny.gov or 518-473-3835.
Technical Assistance Grants
Technical Assistance Grants are available to eligible NYS nonprofits and municipalities. This program provides support for consulting projects that preserve New York State’s cultural and historic resources. The grants will support professional services of architects, engineers, and other design and preservation professionals working with nonprofit groups and municipalities to preserve their buildings, structures, and other resources that serve an arts and/or cultural function. Funds from the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area will support projects within the National Heritage Area boundary. The pre-application deadline is October 11, 2021. The grant application deadline is October 15, 2021. More details.
2021 NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Treatment Grant Program
Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations, museums, historical organizations, or other cultural institutions either incorporated in or registered to do business in New York State that own, care for, and exhibit collections to the public. Deadline: September 1, 2021. More info.
NYSCA Recovery Grants
Recovery grants support arts and cultural nonprofit organizations negatively affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Deadline: September 1, 2021. Learn more.
Department of the Interior Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program
This program, funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, is a nationally competitive grant program that delivers funding to urban areas — jurisdictions of at least 50,000 people — with priority given to projects located in economically disadvantaged areas and lacking in outdoor recreation opportunities. Deadline: September 24, 2021. Read more.
Transportation Alternatives Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
This funding is available to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path, and non-motorized transportation-related projects and programs that support the goals of New York's national-led Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Deadline: September 29, 2021. More details.
Department of the Interior and Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program
The Coastal Program is a voluntary, community-based program that provides technical and financial assistance through cooperative agreements to coastal communities, conservation partners and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands. Deadline: September 30, 2021. More info.
NYSCA Organizational and Individual Artist Recovery
Support will broaden individual artist support and deliver extremely flexible funding for organizations through a streamlined application experience. Grants offered in this round will greatly expand eligibility and encourage new applicants across a wide spectrum of artistic and cultural practices. Priority will be given to applicants that serve historically underrepresented communities. Funding opportunities include: Support for Organizations, Support for Artists, Special Opportunities, and the NYSCA Recovery Fund. This round will include competitive applications with full panel review. Deadline: September 30, 2021. Find out more.
Public Engagement with Historical Records
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) of the National Archives supports projects that promote access to America’s historical records to encourage understanding of our democracy, history, and culture. Deadline: October 6, 2021. More info.
Regenerate NY Cost-Share Grants
Through Regenerate NY, landowners can apply for financial assistance for projects on their land that support the establishment and renewal of healthy forests. This is a cost-share reimbursement program, so all costs must be incurred by the landowner or fiscal sponsor before they can be reimbursed. Deadline: October 8, 2021. Read more.
Erie Canalway IMPACT! Grants
Erie Canalway IMPACT! Grants are made to forward-looking organizations that develop and implement creative place-based projects. Projects submitted for funding consideration must meet at least one of the following Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor goals and exist within the ECNHC. Deadline: October 15, 2021. Learn more.
Build Back Better Regional Challenge
The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is designed to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. Phase 1: 50-60 regional coalitions of partnering entities will be awarded ~$500,000 in technical assistance funds to develop and support three to eight projects to grow a regional growth cluster. Deadline: October 19, 2021. Phase 2: EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions $25 million to $75 million, and up to $100 million, to implement those projects. Deadline: March 15, 2022. Learn more.
Park & Trail Partnership Grants
The program is administered by Parks & Trails New York and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is designed to:
- Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance, and promotion of New York State parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands.
- Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, and volunteer and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain, and support New York State parks, trails, state historic sites, and public lands.
- Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways, and public lands.
Letters of Inquiry are due for Professional Development applicants on October 20, 2021. Grant applications are due November 30, 2021. Learn more.
Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Research Fellowship
The two-year Margaret A. Davidson fellowship brings a graduate student to conduct research at the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (the Reserve) to address a key coastal management question. The annual stipend for a Margaret A. Davidson fellow is $41,000 for research and travel, and an additional equipment and supply budget of approximately $7,000. The research that is conducted at the Reserve is intended to be a substantial part of the fellow’s degree research. Deadline: December 10, 2021. More details.
Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program
Through the Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, EDA is focused on accelerating the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors. $750 million of EDA’s American Rescue Plan funds are allocated to support the following efforts: State Tourism Grants: $510 million in non-competitive awards to help states quickly invest in marketing, infrastructure, workforce, and other projects to rejuvenate safe leisure, business, and international travel. The state tourism grants are accepted on a rolling basis. Competitive Grants: $240 million to help communities that have been hardest hit by challenges facing the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors to invest in infrastructure, workforce or other projects to support the recovery of the industry and economic resilience of the community in the future. Deadline: March 15, 2022. More info.
Economic Adjustment Assistance Program
The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. A wide range of technical, planning, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and public works and infrastructure projects are eligible for funding under this program. Deadline: March 15, 2022. Find out more.
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.
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