Spectacular October Bike Event to Raise Funds for Climate Action in the Valley. Sustainable Hudson Valley and the Black Rock Forest Consortium are the first two nonprofits to benefit from the Columbus Day Weekend, three-day ride from New York City to the Catskills and back. This rigorous yet richly supported ride is open to a maximum of fifty riders for SHV, who get three gourmet meals a day, comfortable overnight lodging, a world class workout and regular support emails as they raise a required minimum of $1800 each. Funds raised are divided between SHV and The Green Ride, which receives 18% to cover costs of the ride and the ongoing outreach conducted on behalf of all participating nonprofits. SHV is happy to receive contributions up to $5,000 per rider through this grassroots fundraising effort. Larger gifts - if we get lucky - should be sent to Sustainable Hudson Valley directly.
Climate action.
Green economy.
Creative citizenship.
Sustainable Hudson Valley helps communities bring these visions to life.
An innovative think tank and leadership organization, SHV is forging new approaches to global warming response with greener, more livable communities and creative economies that focus on environmental solutions.
Our work in 2008 is organized around two key initiatives:
Climate Action: In responding to the serious challenge of global warming, local communities are emerging as a dynamic force. Sustainable Hudson Valley and 11 partner organizations convened the Municipal Leaders Summit on Climate Protection last fall with a standing room crowd of elected officials, state and local agency staff, funders and citizens to take action. We went on to coordinate the Municipal Climate Protection Partnership of 12 state programs and nonprofit organizations, formed to support effective community action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate changes that can't be prevented. We are working with a major scenario planning effort called Rising Waters, convened by The Nature Conservancy, to help decisionmakers grapple with the possible impacts of climate change and assist their communities in protecting people, nature and economic assets. At the very local level, we are engaging citizens in direct positive action through the Cool Kingston Campaign which is building momentum for a more bike-friendly city with expanded gardens, parks, and tree cover.
Green Economy: A cluster of projects supports "clean and green" technology in county plans, industry training, and market development. We understand a truly green economy to be diverse, locally controlled, resource-efficient, innovative, and community-friendly. We promote this vision by supporting key industry clusters including environmental technologies, creative enterprises and Main Street merchants through the programs of the Hudson Valley Sustainable Business Network, part of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.
Our signature fall conference, Cool Communities/ Living Economies, brings together community and business interests to connect, strategize, and frame the next year's action plan. Keynote speakers L. Hunter Lovins (Natural Capitalism) and Judy Wicks, proprietor of the White Dog Cafe, have brought energizing messages to the region. Our expanded 2008 conference will be September 19 and 20.
Richly networked in the region and internationally, Sustainable Hudson Valley's highest skill is collaborative leadership. We bring together innovators in business, government and community to create locally effective, lasting solutions.
SHV is a New York corporation with its independent application for nonprofit status pending with the IRS. SHV is fiscally sponsored by, and receives tax-deductible contributions and grants through the nonprofit status of, Innovative Charitable Initiatives, a program of the Council of Community Services of New York State (www.ccsnys.org).