Grant Awarded To The Dyken Pond Center

The Friends of the Dyken Pond Center, Ltd. has received funding for a Rensselaer Plateau Conservation Plan through a grant from the New York State DEC Hudson River Estuary Program and the NYS Environmental Protection Fund.  The Friends of the Dyken Pond Center, Ltd. will work with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, Inc. to facilitate the conservation plan. The $60,000 will be matched by a minimum of $20,000 in donated services and volunteer time. More than a dozen volunteers will continue to work hard to make every dollar go as far as possible.
“This is a grassroots effort that respects private property rights and home rule,” said Bob Stegemann, the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) Board member who is facilitating outreach with plateau towns. “We will involve and engage stakeholders with all points of view and interests. We are not an advocacy group,” he pointed out, “we are facilitating a conversation about the Plateau in the hopes that our great-great-grandchildren will be able to experience the same wonder we do.”
The funds will pay for a geographic analysis of natural resource and for community value information that will highlight the areas of the plateau that provide the greatest public value, as well as gathering input and feedback from municipal officials, landowners and plateau user groups. The RPA is seeking additional funding to integrate an economic component to the plan.
The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance has already started to engage towns in the planning process. Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive said, “This grant is great news as it will undoubtedly help further their [the RPA’s] very important efforts in partnership with the landowners to protect the unique and sensitive ecology  that qualifies this area as a true local treasure.”
Hudson River Estuary Grants are awarded each year to help local municipalities and non-profits achieve the goals of the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda, the State’s blueprint for protecting and revitalizing the Hudson River and its valley. “The Hudson River Estuary Program supports local partnerships to help people enjoy, protect and revitalize the Hudson River and its Valley.  By working together, we can conserve this unique natural area – a source of clean water and vital habitat – to achieve a cleaner, greener region and support local economies,” said Frances Dunwell, Hudson River Estuary Coordinator.
For additional information please visit http://www.rensselaerplateau.org.