MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting Governor Andrew Cuomo, January 5, announced a plan to preserve 4,000 acres of open space in the Mid-Hudson Valley, expanding seven state parks, adding new trails and viewpoints, and conserving important ecological corridors. The initiative would total $20.6 million in state funding from the Environmental Protection Fund and the Hudson Highlands Conservation Act. Under the proposal, a total of 965 acres would be preserved in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. A 20-parcel would create new trail routes, provide new views of West Point and the Hudson River, and connect Arden Point on the Hudson River with the rest of Hudson Highlands State Park. A total of 633 acres would be added to the northeastern section of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County. In Orange County, 158 acres would be preserved for a public trail to link up Schunnemunk State Park with the Storm King Arts Center. Sterling Forest State Park would expand by 112 acres creating access to the 22,000-acre Sterling Forest State Park and to the Appalachian Trail. And Fahnestock State Park would see a 150-acre addition to protect natural resources and connect the park to a local Scout Reservation that has a trail open to the public. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.