A public interest message courtesy of Chronogram

Friends,

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pril is Earth Month. What is Sustainable Hudson Valley doing? Pretty much what it has been doing all along. Reaching out to the cities, towns and villages of the region to help them reduce their impacts on climate change and preserve their local environments in every sense. Supporting the industries that are part of a green economy. As I write to you, it is deadline day for the two largest funding proposals I have ever written, one each in the areas of climate action and green economy. While we now work with a cluster of agency and nonproďŹ t partners to help communities one by one, this support will help us reach out concertedly, measure greenhouse gas emissions, plan for reduction and rally the resources. And while we now advise educational institutions on the kinds of programs they need to be building, the funds we hope to raise will let us step forward as a coordinating agency and really map out a strategy to build up a green collar work force.

Volunteers, board, interns, and staff (that’s moi) are working hard, and at times we are attracting great support. One such opportunity is a framework for grassroots fundraising that we are really excited about, The Green Ride. Set for October 11—13, 2008, the Green Ride covers a challenging 260 miles from NYC to the Catskills and back. Organized by seasoned professional promoter Marty Rosen, the ride is limited to 100 cyclists who each raise a minimum of $1,800. It is fully supported by expert bike and medical support, experienced road crew and the best chefs and freshest food in the Hudson Valley. Last year’s ride raised over $60,000. Riders called it “meaningful and satisfying� and “an unforgettable experience.� Riders stay indoors at the fabulous green Black Rock Forest Lodge, with its gorgeous mountain views, enjoyed great meals, nighttime entertainment, and then ride the backroads to the edge of the Catskills and through the stunning ‘Gunks.

Imagine yourself biking through the Valley this October to support the work of Sustainable Hudson Valley. Please visit www.thegreenride.org to learn more, and contact Sustainable Hudson Valley at 845-331-2670 to get involved, either as a rider or an outreach and fundraising helper. THANKS! While we work on building up resources to help communities and the region, many of our friends—from Hastings to Chatham— are creating wonderful Earth Month educational events and celebrations. Visit www.sustainhv.org for an updated Earth Month calendar and other news. Thanks for all you do, Melissa Everett, Ph.D. Sustainable Hudson Valley - SHV PO Box 4112 Kingston, NY 12401

To ďŹ nd out more, visit www.sustainhv.org.

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