Funding Futures:

Highlands

Highlands: Together We Decide

Led by Olga Anderson (second from right) and her core team of volunteers, assisted by Sustainable Hudson Valley

Photos by Luca Pearl Khosrova

  • In early February, 2026, the group hosted an international potluck, spotlighting the diversity in their community.

  • The food was delicious!

  • A facilitator led a world cafe workshop, a structured brainstorming method.

  • Folks brainstormed ideas with the people at their tables.

  • Olga invited people to share their project ideas.

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Participants were asked to rank their favorite ideas or share a new one.

Next, the team will put the ideas on a ballot and get out the vote, community-wide!

The results of the vote will be revealed in the spring. Then the real work begins: making a plan and organizing volunteers and funding.

Check the Highlands: Together We Decide website for details.

Highlands: Together We Decide

  • Olga Anderson

    HIGHLANDS
    Highlands: Together We Decide

    Olga Kuchar Anderson is currently Chair of the Town of Highlands Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee which she founded in 2019. The Committee focuses its work primarily on New York State’s Clean Energy and Climate Smart Community initiatives on behalf of the municipality. Olga is manager of the Community Garden at Holy Innocents in Highland Falls, a member of the Friends of the Highland Falls Library, and sits on the Board of Directors at Sustainable Hudson Valley. She is a recent recipient of the Evelyn Drew Memorial Democratic Service Award for her environmental work.

    Photo by Richard Beaven