Nominate Your Hudson Valley Street for an Amazing Makeover

Sometimes a massive transformation is easier than you think. Recently, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shared another success story from a program that could help transform Hudson Valley streets as well.

Across New York State, towns, villages, and cities are taking advantage of varying environmental initiatives offered by the NYS DEC. While several Hudson Valley municipalities were recently recognized as Climate Smart Communities, a different project takes an even more focused approach.

NYS DEC Grants Plant Trees in New York Towns

Recently, the NYS DEC shared several photos of a street in Watertown, NY showing how the area has been transformed over the past several years. Where there used to be bright sun and little curb appeal, a recent makeover completely transformed the space... and it's all thanks to a grant from the NYS DEC.

NYS DEC's  Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program

"In 2018, the City of Watertown was awarded funding through DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program to plant trees in some of their low- to moderate-income communities. See how planting trees transformed part of a street in one community" the NYS DEC shared on Facebook (below).

The Urban and Community Forestry Grants are awarded through an application process. While there are no current available grants in 2025, several Hudson Valley communities recently benefited from a similar program.

Get our free mobile app

Community Reforestation Grants from the NYS DEC

Cities in Putnam, Ulster, Columbia, and Westchester counties in the Hudson Valley recently were awarded funds through the Community Reforestation (CoRe) grant program, including more than $1.6 million dollars to improve and plant trees in Kingston area parks. Speaking of Kingston, check out the celebrities who have recently passed through below.