DEC Announces More Than $1.26 Million in Grants to Land Trusts to Protect Forests Through Conservation Easements

Funded Projects Will Directly Contribute to State's '30 by 30' Land Conservation Goal

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced more than $1.26 million in grants for four land trusts to support five projects that help safeguard local forests. Land trusts will use this funding to create new conservation easements that will protect water quality, build wildlife corridors, preserve old growth forests, increase climate resilience, strengthen biodiversity, and expand recreation opportunities for New Yorkers.

"New York's natural landscapes are vital to our quality of life and our economy," said Interim Commissioner Mahar. "This $1.26 million in funding for land trusts will empower communities to protect cherished open spaces and contribute to the State's 30 by 30 initiative-conserving 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. Together, we are investing in a sustainable future for all New Yorkers and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty of our state."

The grants, administered by the Land Trust Alliance in partnership with DEC, were made available through the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts (FCELT) Grant Program.

"We want to thank DEC and the State for partnering with the Alliance to offer funding to land trusts through the FCELT Grant Program," said Jamie Brown, New York Senior Program Manager for the Land Trust Alliance. "Our forest lands play critical roles in terms of providing jobs, wildlife habitat, and helping to mitigate climate change. New York's nearly 95 land trusts are working to protect these important lands, as well as other open space that is important to all New Yorkers. We are grateful to the State's support and leadership in protecting our natural resources and important places."

Funded Projects:
Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, Inc., Madison County: $350,000 to purchase a 467-acre conservation easement on forested land adjacent to the State's Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area. The property was identified as a conservation target in the organizations recent Strategic Land Conservation Plan and will be conserved for sustainable forestry, recreational hunting, and habitat protection. The large size of this easement ensures substantive climate resilient forest characteristics and habitat connectivity benefits for future generations.

Dutchess Land Conservancy, Dutchess County: $350,000 to purchase a 260-acre conservation easement on property located within the Taconic Ridge/Harlem Valley, which was identified in the New York State Open Space Plan as a priority for protection. The property, comprised of upland conifer and hardwood forests, will add to more than 1,100 contiguous acres of adjacent protected land and provide important habitat for the threatened timber rattlesnake and endangered Indiana bat.

Genesee Valley Conservancy, Livingston County: $199,950 to purchase a 129-acre conservation easement on property located within the Finger Lakes Plateau Forest Legacy Area and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative area. The new easement will provide a buffer to the nearby Hemlock-Canadice State Forest and Hemlock Lake, a primary water supply for the City of Rochester and the towns of Livonia, Henrietta, and Rush. The area contains forests that are diverse in species composition, age, and structure, and support bird species of Special Concern including the golden-winged warbler and American woodcock.

Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, Herkimer County: $139,250 to purchase a 190-acre conservation easement on land adjacent to the Hinckley State Forest and near West Canada Creek, an area which was identified by the land trust as a priority conservation area. The conservation easement will promote sustainable forestry, help mitigate the impacts of climate change, preserve the area's biodiversity, and protect important habitat for several threatened and endangered species.

Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, Oswego County: $222,550 to purchase a 268-acre conservation easement on property located adjacent to the Stave Mill State Forest. The forest is dominated by northern hardwood species and contains areas of old growth forest designated as "Important Habitat Area Significant Natural Communities" by the town of Boylston. The property includes areas along Pine Creek recognized by the New York State Natural Heritage Program as containing a significantly rare, largely undisturbed hemlock-hardwood swamp, which is also designated as a Special Area by the town of Boylston under the Special Areas and Tug Hill Reserve Act.

The grants are funded through the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Among the many environmental victories in the enacted 2024-25 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders maintained the historically high level of $400 million in EPF funding. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. The EPF also supports New York's 30x30 initiative, which commits to conserving 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.

Photo: Laurelbrook Heifer Forest Conservation Easement, Dutchess County

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