Get involved!  You can help Kingston's streams, volunteer to improve the environment, and learn more about local history. Be a part of the conversation and join the Tannery Brook Community group on Facebook.

 

Trees for Tribs planting on the Main Street Brook.

Help Kingston's Streams

The land along a stream contributes to its health, as does the surrounding neighborhood, because runoff from these areas drains there. Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs provides free, native trees and shrubs to plant along streams, along with technical assistance and advice. You can do your part to pick up litter any time, or participate in organized clean-ups like Kingston Clean Sweep or Riverkeeper Sweep. Be mindful of where runoff goes when it rains. Green infrastructure stormwater practices can help reduce flooding and improve water quality, and simple practices like installing a rain barrel or directing downspouts toward vegetated areas can make a difference.

 

Esopus Creek, at the mouth of the Tannery Brook.

Local Environment

Many groups actively work to improve Kingston's environment. These include governmental councils like the Conservation Advisory Council and Climate Smart Kingston Commission, non-profits like Kingston Land Trust, and volunteer-based organizations. The Tannery Brook is part of the Esopus Creek watershed, and Riverkeeper has been monitoring water quality in the Esopus Creek since 2011. Kingston's Natural Resource Inventory is an excellent reference for environmental information. The Tannery Brook is also included in the Tidal Rondout Creek Watershed Management Plan, since a portion of the brook has been redirected to the Twaalfskill Creek via the Washington Ave. tunnel. Reducing flooding in the Tannery Brook parallel to Linderman Ave. is one of three high priority projects for implementation. 

 

Louw Bogardus Mill House, owned by Friends of Historic Kingston.

Local History

Kingston has a rich and celebrated history. You can visit historic buildings that include exhibits on local history at Friends of Historic Kingston, Senate House State Historic Site, and the Matthewis Persen House. The Louw Bogardus ruins are the site of the old mill house, affiliated with the mill that was powered by the Tannery Brook. If you're conducting your own research, Kingston Library's local history room is an excellent resource, as are the Ulster County Archives and land records, New York State Library, and New York State Archives. The documentary film Lost Rondout discusses the impact of urban renewal in Kingston, which also played a role in development Uptown.