Participation in Government Project

New PaltzHigh School

IMPROVE YOUR HUDSON VALLEY – GO GREEN

The purpose of thisresearch project is to engage with one or more ideaswhich will improve the quality of life in the Hudson Valley region. You will soon be leaving high school to pursue opportunities in higher education, the work force, the militaryor other areas and you will be making choices that determine your future for years to come. Meanwhile, decisions are being made by local and regional legislaturesin the Hudson Valley thatwill impact your future role as job seekers and active citizens. With this in mind, youwill research a topic with the goal of improving an area of the Hudson Valley that could spark jobs or improve the community in some way.

STEP 1: Students will select one of the following themes to guide their research; Economic impact, Environmental impact, or a combination of the two. The following topic list (you can choose others) offers areas for students to pursue. Students should focus their research on issues to improve the town or village orthey may choose to research issues to improve county/regional levelsin the Hudson Valley.

TOPICS

Economic Based:

  • Property Taxes in the Hudson Valley
  • Job opportunities in the Hudson Valley
  • Housing costs in the Hudson Valley
  • Higher Education costs
  • Local Education budget

Economic/Environmental:

Environmental Based:

  • Clean air, water
  • Land conservation/Open Space
  • Wetland protection
  • Job opportunities in the Hudson Valley
  • Green Homes, Green Jobs initiatives
  • Energy independence
  • Energy efficiency in Schools
  • Green Education in Schools
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System
  • Socially Responsible Investing

  • Smart growth development
  • CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture)
  • Job opportunities in the Hudson Valley
  • High Speed Rail
  • Nuclear Energy (alternative energy)
  • TSEC (The Solar Energy Consortium)
  • Transportation
  • School and Local Gardening Programs
  • Recycling and Waste Management
  • Eco-Tourism as destinations/vacation spot in HV

STEP 2: Review the database of non-profit organizations or special interest group online and select one that has something to do with the issue you selected. In your 1-2 page research paper, explain:

A.What is the organization’s mission or goal-how is it similar to the issue you chose?

B.What have they accomplished? You should consider how the organization assists the mission of the issue/topic you have chosen. This could be accomplished by interviewing someone working toward improving life in the Hudson Valley. The non-profit is an ideal location for any of your community service because your volunteerism will provide valuable information for the project while also improving the Hudson Valley.

STEP 3: Next, offer a 2-3 pagepaper of recommendations you could make to improve the issue at hand beyond what the non-profit has implemented. This is a critical part of the research project that takes time and creative thinking. Research must include organizations and/or individuals opposed to the issue and their perspective.These recommendations will be presented to the class.

STEP 4: After choosing a theme, students research a local, regional, state or national government agency (online) that addresses the issue/topic they have chosen from the list provided. Students ought to include answers to the following questions in their 1-2 page paper:

A.What is the agency’s recommendation on this issue?

B.What has been accomplished in recent history?

C.Explain why you agree/disagree with the progress that has been made.

D.What is the position of one of your representatives on the issue?

STEP 5: Report all your findings into a 3-5 page MLA research paper with at least 3 sources. Review the rubric posted in class for grading information.

Step 2 Feb 12,17th

Step 3 Feb 26, 27th

Step 4 March 4, 5th

Step 5 March17,18th

Service hours March19, 20th

1 GREEN & politics news article Feb 18,19th

1 GREEN & politics news article Feb 24, 25th

Non-Profit Databases

Environmental Non- Profits

  • Hudsonia, 7539 N Broadway; Red Hook, NY12571; Phone: (845) 758-0600, Hudsonia is a non-profit environmental research institution. Hudsonia gathers information about rare species and their habitats, in order to aid development agencies in their decisions. Hudsonia researchers educate developers about the wildlife in the places they wish develop, and insure that developers are more conscientious in the decision-making process.
  • Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, 112 Little Market Street; Poughkeepsie, NY12601; Phone: (845) 454-7673, Clearwater is a non-profit, member-supported organization whose intention is to preserve and protect the Hudson River and its related water bodies. Clearwater organizes environmental gatherings, and programs in order to call attention upon their mission.
  • Catskill Forest Association, PO Box 336; Arkville, NY12406; Phone: (845) 586-3054, The Catskill Forest Association’s mission is to maximize the resources obtainable from the Catskills, while maintaining a productive and long-lasting forest with conservation in mind.
  • Ferry Sloops Incorporated, PO Box 346; Croton-on-Hudson, NY10520; Contact: . Ferry Sloops is a non-profit sailing organization. FSI is committed to bringing everyday people opportunities to enjoy sailing on the Hudson Riverto showcase the river’s beauty. FSI encourages others to preserve and keep clean the Hudson’s water through education.
  • Scenic Hudson, OneCivicCenterPlaza, Suite 200; Poughkeepsie, NY12601; Phone: (845) 473- 4440, Today, Scenic Hudson is seen as the largest environmental group in the HudsonValley. Scenic Hudson works to protect the natural resources of the HudsonValley by preserving land, supporting agriculture, and by advocating beneficial environmental practices to the community.
  • Hudson Valley Materials Exchange, 3 Clearwater Road; New Paltz, NY12561; Phone: (845) 567-1445, HVME is a non-profit organization that is responsible for managing the waste of HudsonValley businesses through sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. HVME provides waste estimates, recycling, and educational workshops.
  • Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY; Phone: (845) 667-5343, The Cary Institute stands as one of the largest ecological organizations in the world. Through gathering information about the ecosystem, the Institute wishes to solve environmental problems and increase public awareness about nature.
  • Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Association, PO Box 1048; New Paltz, NY 12561-1048; The Rail Trail was once used as a means of transporting produce and people from UlsterCounty to New York City. But now the Trail sits as a National Recreation Trail, as designated by the National Park Service. It extends 12.2 miles from Gardiner to New Paltz and is welcome to hikers, joggers, bikers, dog walkers, and horseback riders.
  • Mohonk Preserve, PO Box 712; New Paltz, NY12561; Phone: (845) 255 0919. The Mohonk Preserve is a 7000-acre nature preserve that protects the wildlife and natural setting of the ShawangunkMountains. The Preserve is open to runners, bikers, hikers, and horseback riders.
  • Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Route 44-55; Kerhonkson, NY12446; Phone: (845) 256 0579; Minnewaska is a preserve 2000 feet above sea level in UlsterCounty. It has a rugged terrain, ideal for climbing. It features breathtaking views, waterfalls, and lakes.
  • Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA, 125 Humane Society Road: Hudson, New York, NY12534; Phone: (518) 828 6044. Since its founding in 1955 the CGHS has been devoted to the protection, good treatment, and well being of animals. The CGHS offers adoption services for horses, dogs, and cats.
  • DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, 625 Broadway; Albany, NY12233- 0001; Phone (845) 256 3016, The goal of the program is to restore the Hudson river through conservation and pollution removal; while still encouraging public use and enjoyment of the river.
  • Wallkill Valley Land Trust, P.O. Box 208; New Paltz, NY12561; Phone (845) 255 2761, The Land Trust is a non-profit organization aimed at land preservation for future UlsterCounty residents. Through its work the organization has conserved almost 1500 acres of UlsterCounty land.
  • Open Space Institute (OSI), 307 Hamilton Street; AlbanyNY, 12210; Phone (518) 427 1564, wangunks. The OSI is an organization whose intention is to preserve land in Northeastern America. Under its New York Land Program it has conserved more than 100,000 acres.

Economic Non-Profits

  • Builder’s Association of the Hudson Valley (BAHV), 1161 Little Britain Road; New Windsor, NY 12553; Phone (845) 567- 6600. ex.html. BAHV is a non-for-profit trade program involving builders, subcontractors and suppliers. The BAHV provides customers with building services, while providing building professionals with work and education opportunities.
  • New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce, 124 Main Street: New Paltz, NY12561; Phone (845) 255 0243. The Chamber of Commerce is a league of Hudson Valley Businesses that offers benefits, support, and networking capabilities to all of its members.
  • UlsterCountyChamber of Commerce, 55 Albany Avenue; KingstonNY12401; Phone: (845) 338 5100. The Ulster chamber is an agency aimed at promoting advocating its both large and small UlsterCounty businesses members. It is the largest of its kind in UlsterCounty with its more than 1300 members.
  • Elting Memorial Library, 93 Main Street; New Paltz, NY12561; Phone (845) 255 5030. Elting Memorial Library was built in 1909 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Haviland Heidgerd Historical Collection makes the library one of the preeminent sources of historical HudsonValley information.
  • YMCA of Kingston and UlsterCounty, 507 Broadway; Kingston, NY12401; Phone: (845) 338 3810, The YMCA of Kingston wishes to “... build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.” It goes about this by providing social, health, physical and recreational services to UlsterCounty citizens of all ages.
  • Historic Huguenot Street, 18 Broadhead Avenue; New Paltz, NY12561; Phone: (845) 255 1660, The mission of Historic Huguenot Street is to share the history behind the historic town of New Paltz. The Historic society owns 38 structures and over 7000 artifacts of historical significance in New Paltz.
  • Unison, 68 Mountain Rest Road; New Paltz, NY 12561; Phone: (845) 255 1559, Unison Arts and LearningCenter is a venue in the ShawangunkMountains that offers art programs, showings, workshops and education for HudsonValley families. The center offers over 50 workshops and 8 gallery exhibitions annually.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, Inc; 125 Washington Street; Newburgh, NY12550; Phone: (845) 568 6035, /pp-gen/home.htm. It is Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide decent and affordable housing for families in need, living in Newburgh. It foresees a Greater Newburgh in which homeowners will be the building blocks of the community.
  • New Paltz Rotary Club, The Locust Tree; 215 Huguenots; New Paltz, NY12561. Rotary International is an international non-profit organization, funded solely by volunteers. Rotary’s goal is to promote peace and good in the world through charitable services.
  • UlsterCounty Consumer Affairs Bureau, 20 Lucas Avenue; Kingston, NY12401-3708; Phone: (845) 340-3260. / index.html. The Consumer Affairs Bureau serves UlsterCounty by insuring that its businesses are operating under fair and non-fraudulent procedures. It offers counseling, assistance, and education regarding malpractice issues to the public.
  • HudsonValleyCenter for Innovation (HVCFI), 703 Grant Avenue; Lake Katrine, NY12449; Phone: (845) 943-5660. HVCFI’s mission is to help recently founded HudsonValley businesses get on their feet, through a system of mentoring. HVCFI’s ultimate goal is to foster an economically stronger HudsonValley region through the creation of jobs.
  • Ulster County Development Corporation (UCDC), 5 Development Court; Kingston, NY 12401; Phone: (845) 338- 8840. UCDC sets out to promote jobs in the UlsterCounty region. UCDC associates work with businesses on expansion in terms of business and employment.
  • Hudson Valley Technology Development Center, Inc., 300 Westage Business Center, Suite 280; Fishkill, NY12524; Phone: (845) 896- 6934. .org/index.html. HVTCD is a support group for HudsonValley businesses related to technology. HVTCC offers technical and managerial services to technology companies.
  • Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO), 289 Fair Street; Kingston, NY12401; Phone (845) 331 2140, RUPCO deals with UlsterCounty housing and community development; they accomplish this through real estate development, property management and rental assistance.
  • Workforce Development Institute (WDI), 96 South Swan Street: Albany, NY12210; Phone (518) 463 2141, This non-profit is aimed at helping New York working families assimilate into the ever-changing workforce. They offer training, support, and services to these working families.
  • The Council of Industry of Southeastern New York, 6 Albany Post Road; Newburgh, NY12550; Phone (845) 565 1355, The Council’s goal is to enrich the Hudson Valley Community through the promotion of their members. The council offers training, networking, and discounts for all associated members.
  • Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation (HVALF), P.O. Box 10663; Newburgh, NY12552; Phone (845) 567 7760, The Federation’s purpose is to represent over 100,000 union families in the HudsonValley. Their goal is to lay the foundation for a labor movement that offers good jobs and health care to HudsonValley union families.
  • New Paltz Downtown Business Association, 6 Front Street; New Paltz, NY12561; Phone (845) 255 6277, The DBA is a partnership between downtown businesses in New Paltz. Their communal goal is to improve and advocate the downtown area, and to solve downtown problems such as traffic and zoning.

Economic/ Environmental Non- Profits

  • The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC), 34 Old Neighborhood Road; Kingston, NY12401; Phone: (845) 336-0100, Since its creation in 2007, TSEC has strived to make solar power more accessible. TSEC wishes to increase efficiency among solar devices as well as lower photovoltaic costs. It wishes to achieve this by “mobilizing the resources of New YorkState.”
  • The Brook Farm Project, 60 Gatehouse Rd.: New Paltz, NY12561; Phone: (845) 255-1052, The Brook Farm Project is a community supported agricultural and non-profit program located on the Mohonk Mountain House grounds in New Paltz. The farm raises vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers all by chemical-free means. Those who join this CSA are obligated to work on the in exchange for membership.
  • The CatskillCenter for Conservation & Development, 43355 State Route 28; Arkville, NY12406; Phone (845) 586-2611, .html. The CatskillCenter chaperones development in the Catskill area with the watchful eye of conservation. Its programs of Regional Planning, Education, Natural Resources, and Arts & Culture engage the public in developmental decisions within the Catskill region.
  • Spectra Environmental Group Incorporated, Civic Center Plaza, Suite 401; Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; Phone (845) 454-9440, index.html. Since Spectra was founded in 1993, it has been committed to providing professional engineering service on environmentally related projects. Spectra is currently involved in environmental issues, such as air quality, and hazardous waste management.
  • SustainableHudsonValley, PO Box 4112; Kingston, NY12401; Phone: (845) 384-1061, SHV is a non-for-profit organization that wishes to stimulate the economy by promoting “green collar” jobs. It does this by holding seminars and workshops meant to educate people about building a green economy with conservation, recycling, and sustainability at the forefront.
  • Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance, 72 Colburn Drive; Poughkeepsie, NY12603; Phone: (845) 505-0324, HVSGA strives to better both the economic and environmental position of the HudsonValley. Its seven principles of acting locally, protecting the landscape, building close-knit communities, building for the future, creating convenient means of transportation, promoting economic development, and focusing industry all guide HVSGA in developing successful communities without sacrificing the environment.
  • New Paltz Central School District Board of Education, 196 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561; Phone (845) 256 4020, The New Paltz Board of Education wishes to create a community of students and staff members that are responsible and contributing citizens, passionate about learning, and empowered to achieve their dreams. It members include David Dukler, Dan Torres, Donald Kerr, Patrick Rausch, Edgar Rodriguez, Steven Greenfield, and Kathleen Tobin Flusser.
  • New Paltz High School Parent Teacher Student Association, 196 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561; Phone: (845) 256 4020, /156110112914411217/site/default.asp. It is the Associations goal, to foster a strong learning environment in NewPaltzHigh School. The PTSA goes about doing this by participating in the decision making process concerning school policy.
  • World Affairs Council of the Mid-HudsonValley, 7 Creek Bend Road; Poughkeepsie, NY12603; The World Affairs Council’s goal is to involve young people in international affairs. Its mission offers lectures, debates, and programs to high school and college students.

State, County and Local Departments & Agencies Databases

County Agencies and Departments

  • CountyExecutive
  • Office for the Aging
  • Alternative Sentencing- crime victim services
  • Arson Task Force
  • CountyAttorney
  • Comptroller- chief accounting and auditing officer
  • CountyClerk
  • Commissioner of Finance
  • Community Corrections
  • Consumer Fraud Office
  • Cornell University Cooperative Extension- strengthen local agriculture
  • Courts
  • District Attorney
  • Elections Board
  • Emergency Communications/ Emergency Management
  • Employment and Training
  • Department of the Environment
  • Fire Coordinator
  • GoldenHillHealthCareCenter
  • Health Department
  • Historian
  • Housing Consortium
  • Human Relations Commission
  • Information Services (UCIS)- provides technical support for telecommunications and technology
  • Insurance Department
  • Clerk of the Legislature
  • Mental Health Department
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York
  • Personnel Department
  • Planning Department- planning of UlsterCounty transportation, housing, environment, and economy
  • Probation Department
  • Public Defender
  • Public Works Department
  • Purchasing Department- purchases goods and services for UlsterCounty departments
  • Real Property Tax Service Agency
  • Safety Departments
  • Sheriff’s Office
  • Social Services
  • Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Stop DWI
  • Suny @ UlsterCountyCommunity College
  • Tourism
  • Traffic Safety Board
  • Ulster County Development Corp. (UCDC)
  • Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRRA)- UlsterCounty waste management
  • UlsterCounty Area Transit (UCAT)
  • UlsterCounty Transportation Council
  • Veterans’ Service Agency
  • Weights and Measures- insures weight and measure accuracy
  • Youth Bureau- in charge of managing county-wide youth programs

Local Agencies and Departments