In this issue
- New short videos on the History and Future Vision for the Hudson River
- Funding for climate resilience available
- Upcoming events & opportunities
- News roundup
Just released: 2-part Adaptation Inspiration short videos!
We've just released our latest short videos, which form a part one and two series on the history and future of the Hudson. Both videos are available with English or Spanish captions. Please help us share these with your networks!
  Take a look back to when pollution was prevalent along the Hudson River and see the life-changing impact of environmental cleanups and improvements to public access by DEC and other leading organizations. With climate change, waterfront communities now think about what the future could look like, while adapting to the reality of sea-level rise. This film is dedicated to the Lenape, Mohican, and Wappinger peoples of the Hudson Valley. Watch this 5-minute video now with English or Spanish captions!
 Creating a community-led Climate Resilience Vision is a key step in adapting to climate change. Everyone, including low-income and communities of color, must be meaningfully represented in a vision for the future and the process for creating it. See how communities along the Hudson are envisioning the future in the face of the climate crisis and how New York’s Climate Smart Communities (CSC) certification program can help. "Create a community-developed climate adaptation and resilience vision" is a key step under the CSC PE7 Action: Climate Adaptation Plan. Watch this 5-minute video now with English or Spanish captions!
Funding for climate resilience available
DEC Announces $750,000 in Grants Available for Hudson River Estuary Communities! The 2021 Hudson River Estuary Program grants will support natural resiliency, river access and river education. Applications are due by 3 pm on June 2nd, 2021 via the NYS Grants Gateway.
Local Stewardship Planning grants
Amount available: $10,500 to $50,000 per project, 15% match
Eligible projects will advance four categories of projects and programs through planning, feasibility studies, and/or design:
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 Hudson River shoreline communities to adapt land uses and decision-making to factor in climate change, flooding, heat, drought, and sea-level rise projections
- Making water infrastructure more resilient to flooding and/or sea-level rise
- Watershed and source water management planning
- Conservation of natural resources by creating a natural resources inventory, open space inventory/index, open space plan, conservation overlay zone, open space funding feasibility study, or connectivity plan
River Education grants
Amount available: $10,500 to $40,000 per project, 15% match
Eligible projects will enhance education about the estuary along the tidal waters of the Hudson and make opportunities to learn about the Hudson River Estuary more accessible. The funding may be used to design, equip and/or construct educational facilities (including signage, exhibits, and river-focused art installations), support development of plans or curriculum, purchase of equipment, and/or development of web sites or mobile phone apps.
River Access grants
Amount available: $10,500 to $50,000 per project, 15% match
Eligible projects will provide new or improved accessibility at new or existing access sites for boating, fishing, swimming, and/or wildlife-dependent recreation along the shoreline of the Hudson estuary, including the tidal portion of its tributaries.
2020 State of the Hudson Report: Read It Online
The DEC and the NY NJ Harbor & Estuary Program have released the 2020 State of the Hudson (PDF). The report documents the status and trends of the Hudson River Estuary’s water quality, its natural communities and inhabitants, and the health of the landscape that nurtures the Hudson and its tributaries. You can read the chapter on Climate Change beginning on page 87.
This compilation of recent scientific data and historical information allows program managers, partner organizations, and interested members of the public to measure and communicate progress toward state and federal goals for conserving and restoring the estuary ecosystem. You can see interactive graphics illustrating key indicators of estuary health, created by the Pratt Institute Spatial Analysis and Visualization Initiative.
Upcoming events & opportunities
News roundup
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DEC announced three new Certified Climate Smart communities: Towns of New Lebanon and Philipstown, Village of Irvington - all in the Hudson Valley!
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Governor Cuomo announced funding under NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Program. More information is available via your regional coordinator and on the CEC website. All CEC actions are eligible for points under the Climate Smart Communities Certification Program.
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The NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which sets a goal of 100% Zero-emission Electricity by 2040, is well underway! You can follow the Just Transition Working group and other advisory panels, and sign up for updates here.
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New report: Community Land = Community Resilience: How Community Land Trusts Can Support Urban Affordable Housing and Climate Initiatives, Georgetown Climate Center, read more here.
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New report: The Cost of Climate: America’s Growing Flood Risk, First Street Foundation, download the PDF here, read the American Flood Coalition's blog post on the report here, and check out the Flood Factor tool to explore flood risk in the US.
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FEMA released a 2021 Addendum to the Community Rating System (CRS) Coordinator's Manual, which introduces a new prerequisite requiring a plan for managing floodplain-related construction certificates (including Elevation Certificates), 4 new credit opportunities, and more. Download the addendum (PDF) here and learn more about the CRS program here.
Visit DEC’s website or email us at hvclimate@dec.ny.gov
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