named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Outdoor Classroom
Educational initiative featuring visual displays on water ecology, natural and social history, birds, bugs, and plant life along the trail
Trail Maintenance Program
Volunteer-coordinated efforts to maintain and improve trail conditions on completed sections
Wildlife Observation Reporting
Program encouraging trail users to report wildlife sightings with photos, location, and time for ecological monitoring
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 5 activities
- Advocacy for full trail completionAdvocates for the completion of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail from Wassaic to Chatham, promoting the finalization of the full 46-mile route.
- Installation of trail amenitiesDevelops and purchases trail amenities such as signs and benches for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail to enhance user experience and accessibility.
- Safety promotion initiatives for trail usersConducts initiatives to promote the safe use of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, including public outreach and educational materials.
- Secured state funding for trail developmentReceived $2.5 million in funding from New York State Parks for the development of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Columbia County, supporting infrastructure and expansion efforts.
- Trail development proposal on abandoned railbedProposed the development of a 46-mile recreational trail on the abandoned Penn Central Railroad railbed across Columbia and Dutchess Counties.
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Community Festival & Event Production 2 activities
- Annual autumn event on trail and nature educationHosts an annual autumn event at Taconic State Park with family-friendly games, crafts, and educational activities focused on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and local nature.
- Family events at Taconic State ParkHosts family events at Taconic State Park featuring food, activities, learning stations, and craft-making, including a plush toy activity with the Bear Bus.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Educational outreach to trail usersProvides educational information to trail users about nature, trail history, and safe usage practices.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Volunteer trail maintenance coordinationCoordinates volunteer programs to maintain completed sections of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, supporting ongoing usability and safety.
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Outdoor Recreation Access Promotion 1 activity
- Wildlife observation opportunities along the trailProvides opportunities for wildlife observation along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, with documented sightings of species such as ducks, beavers, deer, foxes, and bears.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Botanical survey and guide publicationConducted a survey of plant life along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail and produced a downloadable botanical guide to share findings with the public.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$801K
Contributions & grants$773K96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$27K3%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$949K
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$63K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$960K
Cash$955K
Investments$0
Liabilities$59
Net assets$960K
Liquid reserves12.1 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +74.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 10
- AMY KRANE — DIRECTOR
- CATHERINE BARUFALDI — TREASURER
- DAN HAAS — DIRECTOR
- DICK HERMANS — DIRECTOR
- KAREN BUDD — DIRECTOR
- KYLE REED — SECRETARY
- LAURA FRIEDMAN — DIRECTOR
- PAMELA BARR — DIRECTOR
- PHIL MEEKS — CHAIRMAN
- TOM GOLDSWORTHY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- New York Central Railroad Partner — Trail is built along the former Harlem Line of the New York Central Railroad, incorporating its historical infrastructure and legacy.
- New York State Parks Government — Government agency providing $2.5 million in funding for trail development in Columbia County.
- New York State Parks Government — Primary government funder providing $2.5 million for trail development in Columbia County.
- New York State Parks Government — Provides funding and collaborates on trail development and programming for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.
- New York State Parks Government — Receives funding and collaborates with New York State Parks on trail development and maintenance in Columbia County.
- Parks and Trails New York Funder — Provided a Park and Trail Partnership Grant that partially funded the organization's website.
- PayPal Funder — Processes online membership payments and donations for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association.
- Penn Central Railroad Government — Original railroad operator whose abandoned railbed became the basis for the trail project
- Taconic State Park Partner — Hosts joint events with the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, such as the Summer Bash and Autumn celebration.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Engagement Through Recreational and Educational Eventsmethodology: community_engagement_eventsBy hosting family-friendly and seasonal events that combine recreation, education, and creative activities, we foster sustained trail use and community connection, because participatory experiences in nature strengthen public stewardship, raise awareness, and build social cohesion around shared spaces.
- Nonprofit and Volunteer Stewardship Modelmethodology: community_stewardshipBy managing and maintaining the trail through nonprofit leadership and volunteer labor, we ensure long-term sustainability and community ownership, because local participation in trail care fosters civic pride, reduces operational costs, and strengthens public investment in shared green infrastructure.
- Rail-to-Trail Conversion for Public Accessmethodology: rail_trail_conversionBy repurposing abandoned railroad corridors into public recreational trails, we increase community access to safe, active transportation and outdoor recreation, because converting underutilized infrastructure into shared green space promotes equitable, sustainable, and health-promoting community assets.