Canal Corporation Announces Partnership with Green Thumb Environmental Beautification, Inc.

Over 40 Senior Citizens Work to Beautify Grounds Along the Canal System

The New York State Canal Corporation today announced it has signed a contract with Green Thumb Environmental Beautification, Inc (Green Thumb), to maintain and beautify the grounds along the New York Canal System. As part of this contract, which is valid through April 30, 2007, over 40 income-eligible senior citizens are hired as part-time seasonal workers to perform duties such as mowing lawns, trimming shrubbery, planting and caring for flowers, painting and custodial duties.

“For over 30 years, the Canal Corporation has been pleased to utilize the services of Green Thumb,” Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello said. “This is a wonderful project that not only benefits the Canal, but allows these seniors to make a positive and lasting contribution to their communities. The duties Green Thumb performs on the land surrounding the Canal System are a vital component to keeping our lock sites aesthetically pleasing, which attracts even more visitors to the canal.”

Green Thumb is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide environmental beautification services to the State. Green Thumb employs those 55 years of age or older who meet certain income eligibility requirements and are physically able to perform the necessary beautification services. Employees are placed to work at lock sites and Section Headquarters and are paid in accordance with minimum wage. Enacted by the State Legislature in 1974, the Green Thumb program continues to improve the grounds around New York State through the efforts of our senior citizens.

For more information about Green Thumb Environmental Beautification, Inc. please call 607-652-2015.

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

In late May 2005, Governor Pataki unveiled his vision for establishing the Erie Canal Greenway and, ultimately, the Empire State Greenway, connecting the Niagara, Erie and Hudson River Greenways. The Canal Corporation and an interagency task force conducted an extensive outreach campaign to gather input and ideas, and develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to create the new Erie and Empire State Greenways and examine certain roles and responsibilities currently assigned to the Canal Corporation. The recommendations were made public and delivered in a report to the Governor in late December 2005.