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Coming Events
April 22
Little Stony Point
and Dockside Parks
Clean-up Day
Cold Spring, NY
Maintenance of Appalachian Trail
Harriman/Bear Mountain State Parks
Harriman State Park, NY
April 28
Fortress West Point
and Fort Putnam Historic Walk
West Point
Highland Falls, NY
May 5
Take-A-Hike! Program:
Song Birds of Spring
Fahnestock State Park
Cold Spring, NY
May 12
Take-A-Hike! Program:
Views and Vistas
Little Stony Point
Cold Spring, NY
June 9
HHLT's 8th Annual
Family Festival
Claudio Marzollo Community Center of Philipstown
Garrison, NY
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Hudson Highlands Land Trust
P.O. Box 226
1180 Route 9D
Garrison, NY 10524
845/424-3358
info@hhlt.org |
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Neighbors Partner to Protect Land Adjacent to NYS Parkland
On Sat., Mar. 31, HHLT completed a conservation easement donation, protecting land that abuts Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in Philipstown. This gift builds upon one neighbor's 2009 conservation easement and will soon be followed by a third on adjoining property. Together, these conservation easements will conserve a scenic 30-acre section of East Mountain Road South. They also illustrate how a group of landowners can work together to make a lasting positive impact--protecting not only land, but also wetlands and waterways, from the effects of suburban sprawl.
The natural beauty of the Hudson Highlands, coupled with its proximity to Manhattan, continues to leave this region at risk to significant development. The protection of neighboring parcels adjacent to parkland helps maintain wildlife corridors, protect natural resources and delicate ecosystems, while also creating the benefit afforded to the public through undisturbed forestlands.
"These donations illustrate how individual actions will determine what the Hudson Highlands will offer future generations," said Executive Director Andy Chmar. "It is our belief that those who come after us should enjoy the same beauty that we have during our time as stewards here."
For more information on land stewardship and conservation easements, contact the office at 845/424-3358 or visit hhlt.org. |
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 Take-A-Hike! Season Begins With a Walk Through Historic West Point
After a one-year hiatus, the Fortress West Point hike, led by Col. Lance Betros, Chair of the West Point Dept. of History, returns to HHLT's Take-A-Hike! schedule, . This year's walk, scheduled for Sat., April 28, ends at Fort Putnam and includes a rare, behind-the-scenes tour of the cadet area, including locations like the dining hall and cadet chapel.
The following weekend, Constitution Marsh Sanctuary Director Eric Lind leads a Song Birds of Spring hike in Fahnestock State Park on Saturday, May 5. Eric is just the person you want with you to share his knowledge as you walk along Sunken Mine Road. Bring binoculars for an up-close look.
Interested in learning more? Check your mailbox for your copy of the complete Take-A-Hike! schedule, with descriptions of all eight excursions. If you don't receive one, please call the HHLT office at 845/424-3358 or email us at info@hhlt.org to be put on our mailing list.
There is no cost to join HHLT on a hike (except for Castle to Castle, this season's program fundraiser), but advanced registration is required as space is limited.
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 Celebrate Earth Day by Volunteering
April 22nd is Earth Day and there are opportunities on both sides of the Hudson to act locally. Bring along work gloves, water and lunch.
The Friends of Little Stony Point are looking for volunteers for a clean-up of the Little Stony Point and Dockside parks in Cold Spring from 8:00am to 2:00pm. Email John Teagle at volunteers@LittleStonyPoint.org or James Hartford at j ames@riverarchitects.com if you're interested in helping out. The NY/NJ Trail Conference has scheduled a day of maintenance work from 9:30am to 4:00pm on the Appalachian Trail in the Harriman/Bear Mountain State Parks region. More information can be found at http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/trail-crew-zoo-bypass-0. Contact Chris Reyling at creyling42@verizon.net, 914-428-9878 home, or 914-953-4900 cell, if you're able to join them. |
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 Hudson Valley Farm to School Offers Pilot Program to Beacon Public School
Common Ground Farm and HVFS have partnered to bring the Chef in the Classroom program to the South Avenue Elementary School in Beacon this June.
Through this program, students are given the opportunity to work side by side with a professional chef and create a dish featuring a locally grown vegetable. The students get to sample their dish and name it. It is served in the cafeteria the following week for all the students in the school to try as a "Farmer's Choice" menu item.
For more information about Hudson Valley Farm to School Program, visit http://www.hvfs.org/p/about_23.html, or contact Sandy McKelvey at sandy@odara.com.
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EPF Maintained in NYS 2012-2013 Budget
The Friends of New York's Environment, a broad partnership of more than 100 environmental, public health, agricultural, recreational and urban stakeholder groups, thanked the Governor and legislature on March 27 for maintaining the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) at $134
million in the state budget.
New York's EPF pays for programs that protect valuable natural resources, clean drinking water, family farms, local parks, and recycling and environmental education programs in
communities across the state. These programs also create jobs. A recent study by the Trust for Public Land found that every dollar invested in protecting open space through the EPF returned seven dollars to the state in natural goods and services. By leveraging local, federal and private funds, the EPF generates a significant return on investment for our economy as it works to protect the environment.
Contact Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and your local representatives to thank them for maintaining last year's funding levels for the EPF, despite a budget deficit.
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