On Oct. 14 three Hudson Valley environmental groups will unveil their ideas for a federal role in building and restoring the region’s green infrastructure. These will include how New York State can spur the economy through eco-tourism and training for green jobs and how environmental agencies can work with business.
    Participating in the conference will be Paul Gallay, president of Riverkeeper Jeff Rumpf, executive director of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater and Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson. They plan to present an agenda for state efforts to restore the region’s land and waterways. The three will also discuss opportunities to reconnect urban areas with the outdoors.
    The economic importance of the region’s natural resources came into focus this past July when federal officials, including US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and representatives from the US Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a listening tour in the Hudson Valley. The tour was part of the America’s Great Outdoors initiative, proposed by President Obama.
      The event will begin at 10am — rain or shine — at the Yonkers Recreation Pier (71 Water Grant St; at the end of Main St) at 10am. Directions may be found at http://yonkersdowntown.com/directions.shtml.
