Hudson River Lighthouse Coalition

Through the partnership of several agencies, The Hudson River Lighthouse Coalition has received funding for marketing and promotion of a lighthouse trail. The Coalition has joined efforts to support Hudson River Valley historic preservation, promote a local tourism destination and support other regional attractions, and businesses such as restaurants and bed -n- breakfasts. Independently, through the RC&D the Little Red Lighthouse has been awarded funds to create display panels describing its rich history, the Hudson River's story and the Coalition efforts.

For additional information visit www.hudsonlights.com.

Project Description/Activities

This is an effort to build partnerships among the lighthouse owners and their volunteers to publicize a regional lighthouse trail. It has been particularly rewarding to facilitate the activities of Federal, State, County, Town and non Profit entities to develop a self sustaining coalition. The Volunteers have been successful by completing grant deliverables within a respectful timeframe and building capacity of the organization to where they are now seeking their own 501(c) 3 designation.

Financial Report/Fund-Raising Effort

The Hudson River Valley Greenway Conservancy Council has awarded the partnership a $15,000 grant to develop a land and water based trail map for public access to these beacons. The partnership has received in kind services from Hudson Valley Network for the development of an interactive website for information about the history of the lighthouses and how to get tourism information. The website is www.hudsonlights.com

The National Park Services Rivers and Trails Program has provided staff time to organization the trail map themes. The Hudson River Foundation has produced funds to the Coalition in the amount of $5,000 for the development of educational panels at the Little Red Lighthouse in Manhattan. An additional $12,000 was raised by the volunteers through private organizations for the printing of the trail map. 100,000 copies have been distributed to date.