HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Construction has started on the ReGeneration Campus in Hudson, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced on Saturday. The two-acre facility will serve as a community and environmental education center on the Hudson riverfront.
The ReGeneration Campus will act as the permanent home for Kite’s Nest, a youth education organization that focuses on equity, justice, creativity and social connection. The facility will offer programming on ecological education, the arts and youth leadership, as well as space for gatherings, trainings and events for other community groups.
The property will include an 8,500-square-foot accessible education facility containing several learning spaces, such as an arts workshop, digital media and recording studio, learning kitchen, classrooms and more. The building will add onto the campus’ existing 1,400-square-foot learning greenhouse, which was completed in 2022.
“This project represents a deep investment in the power, creativity and leadership of young people,” said Kaya Weidman, co-executive director of Kite’s Nest. “The ReGeneration Campus will be a permanent home where children and teens can thrive, where their voices are centered, and where they can lead the way to building more just and resilient communities.”
Funding for the ReGeneration Campus project was awarded through $7.1 million in New York State grants, including from the New York State Council on the Arts, Empire State Development, DEC and several other agencies.
“Environmental education starts at the local level,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, “and DEC is proud to support community-based organizations like Kite’s Nest in their efforts to connect local residents with opportunities to learn about the environment.”
Kite’s Nest, which was founded in 2013, has been working with the Hudson community to plan and design the ReGeneration Campus since at least 2021. The facility will be located at 59 North Front Street.
