Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $1.35 million is now available to protect New York’s forestlands. The Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts Grant Program enables eligible, accredited land trusts to apply for up to $350,000 to purchase conservation easements on forested land in New York State for the purpose of protecting these lands and realizing their numerous economic and environmental benefits. 

 

“Investments in forest conservation move New York closer to our bold goal of protecting 30 percent of the state’s lands and water by 2030, which in turn protects wildlife habitat, preserves biodiversity, protects air and water quality, and helps combat the impacts of climate change,” Governor Hochul said. “Supporting these public-private partnerships is crucial to protecting essential forest habitat and advancing our open space protection goals.”

 

The Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts (FCELT) grants help increase the pace of forest land conservation to protect the vital ecosystem services that forests provide, including helping combat climate change. The grants are administered by the Land Trust Alliance in coordination with the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Funding for the grant program is provided by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. The Governors FY 2025 Executive Budget maintains EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history.

 

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Protecting New York’s forests is central to achieving our climate goals, and safeguarding air and water quality, and this $1.35 million investment by the Governor will provide direct support to land trusts as we advance partnerships to achieve our forest conservation goals. We encourage all eligible land trusts to apply and advance the states land protection strategies." 

 

Only land trusts accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission may apply. A 25-percent match is required. Interested applicants must submit an overview of their proposed project by May 10, 2024, as part of the pre-application process. Submitting a full application is by invitation only and those invited to do so will be notified by June 14, 2024. Projects selected for FCELT grants should further goals and/or strategies identified in the New York State Open Space Plan, the New York State Wildlife Action Plan, the New York State Forest Action Plan, and/or other local, regional, or statewide land protection plans. Complete details about this grant opportunity can be found on the FCELT webpage.

 

Land Trust Alliance New York Program Manager Jamie Brown said, “Thank you to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Governor Hochul, and the Legislature for this commitment to protecting our state’s forests. New York’s land trust community is grateful for this partnership and eager to continue their work of protecting and caring for our valuable forests so that the land can continue to benefit all New Yorkers.” 

 

The grant opportunity announced today builds on New York’s ongoing efforts to protect open space through successful partnerships. Last week, Governor Hochul announced a historic agreement to permanently protect more than 14,600 acres of ecologically rare and culturally significant natural resources in the Adirondacks through two conservation easements and a research consortium initiative with The Nature Conservancy. The public-private research consortium will guide scientific research of a globally rare ecosystem at Follensby Pond, and the conservation easements will provide new public recreational access to Raquette River Watershed.

 

About the Land Trust Alliance

Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents more than 950-member land trusts and their 6.4 million supporters nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. Visit the Land Trust Alliance website for more information.