Kingston Land Trust Creates Director of Programming and Director of Development Positions.

KLT Executive Director Rebecca Martin at the South Pine Street City Farm in Kingston. Photo by Andi Turco-Levin

Kingston Land Trust Executive Director Rebecca Martin accepts Director of Programming position; New Director of Development position created.  Martin’s new role helps to secure the organization’s programming and allows for the addition of a Development Director.  

Kingston, NY - The Kingston Land Trust’s Executive Director Rebecca Martin has accepted the new half time position of Director of Programming to begin July 1st, 2012.  Martin, who has served in the Executive Director position for two years, is also a professional musician and intends to divide her time between the KLT and her musical career, focusing attention on a new CD to be released nationwide in January 2013.

Under Martin’s leadership, the Kingston Land Trust (KLT), an urban land trust located in the Mid-Hudson Valley with a mission area that includes the City of Kingston and Towns of Ulster and Kingston, was touted as a ‘nationwide model for Urban Land Trusts’ by the Land Trust Alliance, a national organization.  Martin is responsible for the establishment of innovative KLT programs including The Dig Kids – an Urban Farming Program, and Yoga in the Park; the development of KLT’s board of directors which now stands at twelve; and the expansion of many of KLT’s committees including the Rail Trail, Urban Agriculture, and Land Management Committees with over forty volunteers serving on various committees. As Director of Programming, Martin will guide the KLT’s programs which include rail trails, urban farming and the submission of three significant African-American sites for local and State-wide historical status.

To help build further capacity, the Kingston Land Trust will add the new half time Director of Development position.   The Director of Development will be responsible for securing the financial resources necessary to support the KLT’s programs and operations.  The Director will work with the Board of the KLT to create, implement and coordinate short and long-range development plans. Qualified candidates should submit their resume to Steve Noble, Chair of the Kingston Land Trust at stevenobleklt@gmail.com.

For more information about the Kingston Land Trust please visit http://www.kingstonlandtrust.org

The Kingston Land Trust Celebrates Black History Month with the Mt. Zion African-American Cemetery Rededication Film.

Clergy waits to be led to the ceremony.

In celebration of Black History Month, The Kingston Land Trust and the KLT African-American History Committee present the Mt. Zion African-American Cemetery Re-dedication film to Elementary school students in the Kingston School District in February.  The cemetery, the second African-American Cemetery in Kingston, represents the key component of the history of the African-American Community in Kingston from the mid 19th Century and onwards.

Kingston – In honor of Black History Month, the Kingston Land Trust and the KLT African-American History Committee will present a film capturing the Mt. Zion African-American Cemetery Rededication Ceremony that took place last year on June 5th, 2011.  Close to 200 people were in attendance that included family members who drove as far away as Washington DC to take part in this historic event. With the help of filmmaker Liz Joyce, The Kingston Land Trust successfully documented the afternoon.

Dedicated to outreach and education, the committee will present the film in Kingston’s Community Centers (Rondout Neighborhood Center) and to Elementary School students at St. Joseph School, Kingston in collaboration with schools in the Kingston City School district such as the GW Elementary School and Zena Elementary School. Youth will have the opportunity to view the film and participate in a short panel discussion with family members who have  generations of family buried at the Mt. Zion Cemetery, the film maker, and Pastor Kenneth Walsh of the Old Dutch Church of Kingston to discuss their statement of reconciliation, an apology to the African-American community for ” our history of dehumanizing racism that allowed for the enslavement and subsequent segregation of our sisters and brothers of African descent.”

Although these events are not open to the public, if your organization or school wish to host the film in 2012,  please contact Rebecca Martin, Executive Director of the Kingston Land Trust at kingstonlandtrust@gmail.com or call 845-877-LAND (5263) for more information.

###

About the Kingston Land Trust African-American History Committee:   The Kingston Land Trust African-American History Committee is charged to uphold the integrity, accomplishments and contributions made by African-Americans who lived or are living in the City of Kingston, NY.

About the Mt. Zion African-American Cemetery in Kingston, NY:   The Zion African-American Cemetery, the second African American Cemetery in Kingston, represents the key component of the history of the African American community in Kingston from the mid 19th Century onwards. The earliest documented grave is believed to date to circa 1856 while the latest is believed to be 1967, the approximate period of significance although the cemetery has been said to date back earlier. The property appears to have been deeded to the Village of Kingston in 1858. Mt. Zion Cemetery Association was formed in 1891 with the Kingston Common Council approving preparation of a deed that same year. A list of approx 90 persons known to be buried here was drawn up from research in the 1980′s. The cemetery contains names of many of Kingston’s early African American families and includes Dutch and French Huguenot surnames of Ulster County families for whom their family members had likely once served as slaves and as such forms a vital visible legacy for Kingston’s African American community. In addition, a notable number of veterans are buried in this cemetery including numerous Civil War veterans who served in the US Colored Troops, 20th Regiment. The direct association with the 20th Regiment connects the cemetery to Civil War events in and around New Orleans and Port Hudson, Louisiana which are among the places the regiment was stationed and to the Chalmette National Cemetery just outside New Orleans where some local members of the 20th Regiment who passed away while in service are buried. The cemetery has the potential and probability of illustrating lifestyle and traditions of Kingston’s African American community and encompassing important information relevant to the study of the material culture and social history of this community over an extended period and thereby reflecting historic associations from Kingston’s early period of settlement through the end of the period of significance, as well as containing the graves of members of the USCT 20th Regiment whose activities helped determine the course of events in national history during the Civil War.

The Kingston Land Trust Invited to Participate in the 89th Annual George Washington Dinner at the Old Dutch Church in February.

The Old Dutch Church - Kingston, NY

The Kingston Land Trust is pleased to participate and to celebrate the 89th Annual George Washington Dinner on Wednesday, February 29th 2012.

“The Celebration of Service and Community” will highlight several Not-For-Profits in Kingston who provide an important service and who have collaborated with the Old Dutch Church in recent past.

The Kingston Land Trust will provide a short presentation of their work with the Mt. Zion African-American Burial Ground Rededication. Others scheduled to participate is the O+ Festival presenting cutting edge music and the Queens Galley to cater this special event for guests. Special thanks to Elder Rob Sweeney for being as hip as he is heart.

 

First in War- First in Peace- First in the Hearts of his Countrymen

Please join us on

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

As we celebrate

His Excellency George Washington’s

280th Birthday

 Take your place at the table for one of Kingston’s finest traditions

The 89th Annual

George Washington Dinner.

Beginning at 6:30 PM in Bethany Hall of

The Old Dutch Church, Kingston.

The program for the evening will be

A Celebration of Service and Community

______________________________________________________________

 I would like to purchase_________ dinner tickets @ $30.00 each.

I would like the following name(s) to be listed in the Patrons List @5.00each:

______________________________________________________________

I regret I will not be able to attend, please accept my donation to the Old Dutch Restoration Fund in the

amount of $_____________.

______________________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to: “Old Dutch Church”

Tickets must be purchased in advance and will be held at the door.

Please send your reservations and payments before February 22nd.

Old Dutch Church, PO Box 3006, Kingston, New York 12402

“Hath not old custom made this life more sweet”

William Shakespeare

Public Notice of Kingston Conservation Advisory Council Meeting Feb. 2nd

 

 

Public Notice of Kingston Conservation Advisory Council Meeting:

The Kingston Conservation Advisory Council will host the monthly meeting, this Thursday, February 2, 2012, 6:30-8:30pm, City Hall, Conference Room 2, 3rd floor. Attached please find February’s agenda and January’s DRAFT minutes.

For further Information, please call Julie Noble, Chair, 481-7339.

 

 

 

 

 

Kingston Conservation Advisory Council

Monthly Meeting, Conference Room 2

AGENDA

Date: February 2, 2012           6:30-8:30pm

 

Council Members

Julie Noble (Chair)

Judith Deming

Elizabeth Higgins (Secretary)

Gregg Swanzey

Casey Schwarz

 

Welcome Guests and Public Comment

Approval of January 2012 minutes

Old Business (6:30-7:45)

1. CAC member recruitment

2. Governmental Meeting Liaisons for 2012

3. Updates:

KingstonCAC.org

Natural Resources Inventory

Green Guide

Climate Action Planning

Conservation Development Guidelines

Non-toxic Landscape Maintenance Initiative

4. EMC Report

5. Planning Board Meeting Report

 

New Business (7:45)

2. Follow up from Public Safety/General Gov’t/Auditing Meeting

Council Member Concerns

Government Environmental Assessment/Inventory

Flooding, especially in Ward 1

Advising Requested

Solar Installations on City Property

Hydrofracking, specifically Kingston WWTP as Hydrofracking sludge treatment site

*Next CAC monthly meeting, March 1, 2012, City Hall, Conference Room 2, 6:30pm*


###

 

Kingston Conservation Advisory Council

Monthly Meeting, Conference Room 2

Minutes

Date: January 5, 2012    6:30-8:30pm

 

Roll Call: 6:52 pm

Board Members

Julie Noble (Chair)                         Present

Judith Deming                                 Absent

Elizabeth Higgins (Secretary)           Present

Gregg Swanzey                               Present

Casey Schwarz                               Absent

 

Guests:

Emilie Hauser

 

Approval of November, December Minutes

Liz moved and Gregg seconded to accept both the November and December 2011 Minutes. Accepted 3-0, with no changes.

Secretary Position

Liz agreed to stay on as the Kingston CAC Secretary for 2012.

Old Business

6. CAC member recruitment, terms-  There have been no applications submitted for new CAC members. Recruitment will continue, with direct contact with other civic organizations and with the new Common Council members. Julie will ask each Common Council member if they could recommend a representative from each of their wards to sit on the CAC. Wards 7, 8 and 9 currently have representation. Recruitment will also focus on tangible actions to be accomplished in 2012, to attract community members with specific interests related to the current CAC initiatives.

3. CAC Website –www.kingstoncac.org.  Julie reviewed the website layout and created a revised outline to give to CIXdesigns. Website content was brainstormed; specifically the content on the “Links” page and a great discussion was had about the scope of what information and organizations to link to. Julie will set up a meeting with Adam or Micah to relay this info and to finalize the most effective and functional design for the website. Then content will be inserted.

New Business

1. Governmental Meeting Liaisons for 2012- Casey will attend the first three Planning Board meetings of the year and Julie will attend the January Public Safety Meeting, to present the Year End Report and plan for 2012.

2. CAC Year End Report 2011 Review- The draft Year End Report was reviewed and revised. This will be distributed to the mayor, Common Council, planning, and interested local community members. It will also be available on the CAC webpage on the City website.

3. Planning for 2012-

  1. Natural Resource Inventory: Steve and Julie Noble have started digitizing some of the data and gathering data that doesn’t exist for Kingston yet in GIS. The goal is to have all of the data layers complete by March 31st. A grant was awarded to the Kingston Parks Department through the Hudson River Estuary Program to fund a consultant to, among other things: 1) create a sewer shed map for Kingston, 2) create a Geodatabase of the existing GIS data, which will be clipped to Kingston. This work should be done by March 31st. After March 31st, then individual maps will be created and narrative with recommendations will be composed to accompany the maps. The goal of completion of the NRI for Kingston is December 31, 2012.
  2. Environmental Planning/Conservation Guidelines: This effort was initiated but then dropped off during 2011. A formal committee should reconvene on this.
  3. Green Guide: Work will continue on creating this digital and hard copy guide to environmental services and resources in Kingston. Judith Deming is spearheading this effort.
  4. Climate Action Planning: Climate Analyst Rich Schiafo has presented a draft of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Kingston, which the Climate Taskforce is reviewing and revising. The next meeting of the Taskforce is Tuesday, January 10. Rich’s position terminates in March, and so things are moving right along with the Climate Action Plan, with a goal of completion by then.
  5. Non-toxic Landscape Maintenance Initiative: The effort to minimize/eliminate the use of toxic synthetic chemicals on city owned lands was broached at the end of 2011 and this initiative will continue to build into the new year.
  6. Ulster County Environmental Management Council Representative: Gregg’s term as Kingston’s Representative on the UCEMC expires in May 2012, but he will be resigning effective January 2012. Liz will be recommended to the Ulster County Executive’s Office as the new Kingston Representative, to fill out Gregg’s term and then stay on as Rep. Julie will send a letter to this effect.

Motion to adjourn: Liz moved, Gregg seconded.

*Upcoming Meeting:  CAC monthly meeting, February 2, City Hall, Conference Room 2, 6:30pm*

Adjournment: ___8:02____pm

Submitted by Julie Noble


The Kingston Land Trust is Awarded $17,500 through the Land Trust Alliance

March 14th, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Kingston Land Trust is awarded two grants totaling $17,500 from the Land Trust Alliance

(Albany, NY) – The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance (the Alliance) joined members of the state Legislature and land trust representatives today to announce $1.4 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants. The grants, funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), will enable local nonprofit land trusts to increase the pace, improve the quality, and ensure the permanence of voluntary conservation of private lands, resulting in significant environmental and economic benefits for communities across the state.

“The New York State Conservation Partnership Program advances Governor Cuomo’s agenda for A Cleaner, Greener New York,” said Joe Martens, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. “New York State’s financial support for the Partnership Program is critical to the important work of land trusts who, in partnership with communities across New York, provide vital protection of open space for its environmental and economic value.”

“New York State has demonstrated its support of local land trusts and their vital mission to save the places New Yorkers cherish and depend on for clean air and water, food, and recreation,” said Rand

Wentworth, President of the Land Trust Alliance. “I commend Governor Cuomo, Commissioner Martens, Senator Grisanti, Assemblyman Sweeney, and other members of the Legislature for their support of this pioneering initiative. The EPF and the Conservation Partnership Program are cost effective investments that pay dividends for public health and New York’s economy.”

The competitive state grants announced today will be matched by more than $1.82 million in private and local funding. Since the program’s inception in 2002, the Conservation Partnership Program has leveraged over $12 million in additional funding, creating employment and advancement opportunities in the conservation field and helping local communities permanently conserve approximately 15,000 acres of farmland, wildlife habitat, recreation areas, and urban open space.

Since 2002, the Conservation Partnership Program has awarded matching grants for 350 projects benefitting 75 different land trust organizations across the state. The grants announced today will help local land trusts sustain and expand community and landowner outreach, land conservation, stewardship, and education programs. The grants will create new land trust jobs and strengthen partnerships with local and state governments, advancing efforts to preserve prime farmland, municipal watersheds and green infrastructure around the state. Land trusts will also apply funds to prepare for national accreditation, supporting New York land trusts’ commitment to best practices and rigorous standards for organizational excellence.

State Senator Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo), Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, said “By working together and connecting the work of land trusts in communities from Buffalo to Long Island, we are helping New York be a national leader in conserving and protecting working farms and private lands that support local jobs and businesses. This partnership benefits Grassroots
Gardens of Buffalo and is a model for the EPF, and I look forward to its continued success.”

Assemblyman Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), Chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, remarked, “This is a challenging time for homeowners, charities, and businesses across New York State. Empowering local communities through the Conservation Partnership Program is one proven way to give New York’s citizens a voice in their future. It is also an effective way for New York to get the most out of the Environmental Protection Fund. We applaud the work land trusts do on Long Island and across the state and look forward to supporting the program in the coming years.”

Recent research underscores how investments in land conservation and open space boost property values, support local businesses, save taxpayer dollars, and protect public health, for example, by preserving watersheds and aquifers that provide clean drinking water for millions of New Yorkers. A report last year from the Trust for Public Land found that parks and open space on Long Island generate $2.74 billion in direct economic benefit from tourism, reduced government costs and public health. A 2010 report from the New York State Comptroller recommended the Conservation Partnership Program as a model for public-private collaboration because it leverages substantial resources for local efforts to preserve clean air and water resources, agriculture, and outdoor recreational opportunities close to home.

In all, 57 nonprofit land trusts across New York will receive grant funds announced today, including the North Shore Land Alliance, Hudson Highlands Land Trust, Columbia Land Conservancy, New York Agricultural Land Trust, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, Genesee Land Trust and Western New York Land Conservancy. Grant funds are intended to assist land trusts in
advancing goals set in the New York StateÕs Open Space Plan and state wildlife action plan.

The grants will also support urban open space programs administered by the Manhattan, Bronx and Brooklyn-Queens Land Trusts, Yonkers Land Conservancy, Kingston Land Trust, Capital District Community Gardens, and Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo.

More than 150 land trust representatives and environmental advocates were on hand for the announcement, held in conjunction with the Friends of New YorkÕs Environment Lobby Day in the State Capitol. Earlier in the morning, land trust leaders thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo for avoiding additional cuts to New York’s Environmental Protection Fund in his proposed Executive Budget. Environmental leaders urged the Legislature to consider the economic benefit of EPF investments in local communities, including projects funded through the Conservation Partnership Program.

The Kingston Land Trust was awarded two of these prestigious grants. The first, a $5,000 guided organizational assessment based on Land Trust Standards and Practices.  The second, $12,500 for the ‘Kingston Rail Trail Connections’ project, a two year project to enable the Kingston Land Trust to launch a public planning process to pursue strategies to restore linkages to the city of Kingston via historic transportation pathways.

###

About the Kingston Land Trust
The Kingston Land Trust is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to the protection and preservation of open space, historic sites, wetlands, scenic areas, and forests in the City of Kingston and the surrounding region to include the Town of Ulster and the Town of Kingston. Please visit www.kingstonlandtrust.org or contact Rebecca Martin, Executive Director at 845/877-5263.

About the Kingston Land Trust’s Rail Trail Committee
The Kingston Land Trust Rail Trail committee is dedicated to planning, development, utilization, and proper maintenance of rail trails and other non-motorized linkages in the City of Kingston. Committee chair,  Gregg Swanzy (gregg@kingstonlandtrust.org)

About the Land Trust Alliance
The Land Trust Alliance is the national leader of AmericaÕs land trust movement, serving 1,700 nonprofit land trusts nationwide, including 90 organizations in New York. The Alliance works to accelerate the pace, increase the quality, and ensure the permanence of land conservation in New York and across the country. The Alliance administers the Conservation Partnership Program in coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For information about the Land Trust Alliance and the Conservation Partnership Program, please visit www.landtrustalliance.org or contact Ethan Winter in the Alliance’s Northeast office at (518) 587-0774 (ext. 207) or at ewinter@lta.org.

The Kingston Land Trust is Awarded Organic Seeds to Share with Kingston Garden Projects.

The Kingston Land Trust is awarded organic seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds out of Vermont to share within the community.

Kingston – The Kingston Land Trust was selected to receive 50 packages of organic seed from High Mowing Organic Seeds of Vermont to share throughout the city of Kingston’s community, home and school gardens in 2011.
“I would like for our community to be collectively thinking more about the seeds they choose to plant in their gardens”, says Rebecca Martin, Executive Director of the Kingston Land Trust. “High Mowing Organic Seeds points out that the importance of organic seed is often overshadowed by the importance of organic food, and I think that that is absolutely true”.
The gifted seeds range from food to flowers, and Martin encourages all interested garden stewards to be in touch to receive up to five packages on a first come, first serve basis.
For more, contact Rebecca Martin at 845/877-5263 or rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org  To find a garden project near you, visit the Kingston Land Trust’s website at www.kingstonlandtrust.org The Kingston City Garden google map can be located by visiting their ‘Useful Link’ tab at the top of the page.
For more information on High Mowing Organic Seeds, visit: www.highmowingseeds.com

"Trust" in us. The Kingston Land Trust Invites Friends and Supporters to Help Celebrate Successes in 2010.

What a year it has been for the Kingston Land Trust.

Since July when the KLT hired a full time Executive Director, we have done some pretty heavy lifting to establish several substantial projects.  With so much potential in the City of Kingston, it has been a great pleasure to be a key partner in many collaborative efforts new and ongoing alike. We look forward to our continued efforts in preserving and protecting our historic treasures, discovering new avenues for sustainable and healthy living and creating programs utilizing open space that encourages citizens to take full advantage of the fun and adventures in Kingston’s great urban out-of-doors.

Because we appreciate your interest in the Kingston Land Trust, we have organized a Holiday “mixer” to share our work and to socialize with old and new friends. Join us at Kingston’s local brew pub Keegan Ales in Kingston where you can meet our staff and Board Directors and share in our 2010 successes and strategic plans for 2011.

To make this event a special one, Keegan’s has created a special Kingston Land Trust Rosemary Coriander Brew (using Rosemary from my personal garden) just for us that evening. To top it off, a portion of the proceeds of each one sold that evening will be generously gifted to us (drink responsibly, and bring a designated driver).

The Kingston Land Trust Holiday Mixer

Wednesday, December 29th

Keegan Ales

20 Saint James Street

Kingston, NY 12401

845/331-2739

6:00pm – 8:00pm

At the end of the year, we wish to challenge our friends in helping the Kingston Land Trust ring in the new year successfully. One of our generous benefactors has offered to match each dollar that we raise up to $5,000. That means that the KLT has the potential to earn at least $10,000 that will be added to our annual operating costs. We have until January 31st to reach this goal and any donation large or small plays an important role. Admission to Keegan’s is free, but we ask that you consider making a donation. If you cannot be present but wish to support us with a secure, online donation to our Annual Fund, visit our website at www.kingstonlandtrust.org.  You can also send along a check or money order to: The Kingston Land Trust PO Box 2701  Kingston, NY. 12402.  Contributions are tax-deductible.

Your involvement is crucial to the movement for economic revitalization, sustainability, and land conservation in our community.  Please join us.

With thanks and gratitude,

Rebecca Martin
Executive Director
The Kingston Land Trust

Kingston Land Trust Board of Directors and Advisers
Executive Committee
Steve NobleChair
Kevin McEvoyVice Chair/Treasurer/Chair of the LUAMP Committee
Julie NobleSecretary

Board of Directors/Advisors/Staff
Bill BerardiDirector
Hugh CummingsDirector
Barbara EpsteinAdvisor
Gregg SwanzeyDirector/Chair of the KLT Rail Trail Committee
Steve LiebowitzDirector
Ann LoedingDirector
Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Advisor/Staff

What’s happening at the Kingston Land Trust?

The Kingston Land Trust  BLACK HISTORY Committee

With a wide variety of churches, historians and community members, the Kingston Land Trust’s Black History Committee is organizing a re-dedication of the Mt. Zion African-American Burial ground in June, 2011. The event will help to celebrate and honor past Kingston residents and veterans who are now laid to rest there.  Research projects to help document the people and their families at Mt. Zion and in the 17th Century Pine Street Slave Cemetery are currently underway. For more information, contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

Mt. Zion African-American Burial Ground

The Kingston Land Trust RAIL TRAIL Committee

Led by Kingston resident Gregg Swanzey, the Kingston Land Trust recently was awarded trail development assistance from Parks & Trails NY to engage the community in exploring the feasibility of connecting existing trails outside the city to the Midtown area. We were one of three programs awarded state-wide!  For more information, contact Gregg at gregg@kingstonlandtrust.org

The current O&W Trail.

The Kingston Land Trust LAND USE/ACQUISITION/MANAGEMENT/PLANNING Committee

Led by KLT Vice Chair/Treasurer Kevin McEvoy, the Kingston Land Trust’s LUAMP Committee in collaboration with other key stakeholders has participated in and remains committed to the ongoing open space planning process with regards to the approximately 300 acre area proposed to be preserved at Hudson Landing. In addition, the committee participated and is committed, together with key stakeholders, in the planning process for portions of the Ulster-Esopus Ridge in Town of Ulster which includes wetlands and a highly significant Native American lithic workshop discovered during the archeology. With a growing portfolio throughout the city of Kingston, the committee handles all parcels and easements gifted or otherwise conserved to assure protection. To learn more, contact Kevin at kevin@kingstonlandtrust.org

KLT works to preserve open space.

The South Pine Street City Farm Project

About 1/4 acre of land in the Midtown section of Kingston is currently being transformed into Kingston’s first City Farm. Led by first generation farmer and city of Kingston resident Jesica Clark, the Kingston Land Trust has teamed up with The Queens Galley, The Queens Galley’s “Cooking Matters” program and Binnewater Ice Co. to take steps in making Kingston an urban agriculture epicenter. For more information, contact Farmer Clark at jesicaclark21@gmail.com

South Pine Street City Farm in the fall, 2010

“The Dig Kids” – An urban farming program

With the help of a grant from the Columbia Foundation, The Kingston Land Trust has created “The Dig Kids”- a farming program located at the Everett Hodge Community Center in Midtown Kingston to help youth learn important farming skills while being paid a stipend to do so. Harvests will be sold at local farmers markets as well as used for cooking instruction and distributed throughout the immediate community for those in need. For more information, contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

"The Dig Kids" Garden Clean-up in 2010

The Kingston City Hall Victory Garden

The Kingston Land Trust will be in its third year helping to develop the Kingston City Hall Victory Garden, an organic  ’square foot gardening’ project to illustrate the amount of food that can be grown and harvested in an 8×8 foot raised bed. Managed by City Hall employees, the harvest is donated to a different soup kitchen in the city of Kingston each year.  If you are a soup kitchen and wish to be included, contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

City Hall Victory Garden

Yoga in the Park! Creating Healthy Communities

The KLT in collaboration with Shakti Yoga, MAC Fitness and the City of Kingston’s Parks and Recreation department, is we’re excited to announce “Yoga in the Park! Creating Healthy Communities” starting on May Day (Sunday, May 1st) at Cornell Park in the Rondout section of Kingston. Join your neighbors on the first Sunday of each month starting in May through October for Shakti’s exceptional yoga series that will accommodate every level in the gorgeous setting of one of our most wonderful urban parks. Contact rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

Healthy Kingston For Kids (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)

The Kingston Land Trust is a proud partner of the “Healthy Kingston for Kids” program led by Cornell Cooperative Extension. Leading an initiative to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in Kingston through environmental and policy change, the project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with $360,000 over four years. Recently, a resolution for Complete Streets was approved by the Kingston Common Council and other such initiatives as community gardens and more are on their radar. Contact Arthur Zaczkiewicz for more information at arthur@kingstonlandtrust.org

Midtown, Kingston

The Kingston Land Trust Welcomes its Newest Board Member Gregg Swanzey

The Kingston Land Trust Welcomes New Board Director Gregg Swanzey

Mr. Swanzey brings a decade of not-for-profit experience and expertise to the Trust’s efforts.

Kingston, NY –   The Kingston Land Trust is proud to announce the addition of Gregg Swanzy to their Board of Directors. Gregg lives in the Rondout in the city of Kingston and serves on the Conservation Advisory Council and is also the Associate Director of Grants and Corporate Relations for Mohonk Preserve. He spent years at sea aboard sailing research and education ships including a Humpback whale research vessel in Arctic waters off Greenland and as captain for a Soviet-American cultural exchange transAtlantic from Leningrad to New York via Iceland and Newfoundland. He has extensive background in maritime preservation, education, and nonprofit management. He holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and an MBA from UMASS Dartmouth. Gregg is an avid kayaker, runner and often pedals his bike uptown to the Kingston Farmers Market on Saturdays.

“I work with Gregg on the Conservation Advisory Council and he brings a great level of professionalism and commitment to everything he does. He will serve an important role to the Kingston Land Trust as Chair of the Rail Trail Committee that will partner up nicely with his role as Chair of Land Use on the CAC. It’s an exciting opportunity”  Says Julie Noble, Kingston Land Trust Board Director, Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council and City of Kingston Environmental Educator.

Gregg will work closely with the Kingston Land Trust Executive Director and Board Directors to chair the newly formed Kingston Land Trust Rail Trail Committee.

If you are interested in an interview with Mr. Swanzey, or for information on other Kingston Land Trust activities, please contact Rebecca Martin, Executive Director at 845/877-5263 or email rebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org

Local Climate Change Booklet Available for Students

Central Hudson and Scenic Hudson collaborated to produce and distribute a booklet, “Climate Change in the Hudson Valley” for middle-school students.

Follow this LINK to download a copy in English or Spanish, or write info@scenichudson.org to get a hard copy.

Kingston Parks and Recreation Department/Healthy Kingston for Kids Park Survey


The Kingston Parks and Recreation Department, part of the Healthy Kingston for Kids Project is asking citizens to take a moment to fill out this important survey. In it, you will help to give a better understanding as to how the parks and recreation facilities are used and for what purposes.

You may also win a gift certificate for taking the survey today. Following this LINK for more.