Governor Hochul Awards More Than $3 Million in Conservation Partnership Program Grants

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $3 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants for 45 not-for-profit land trusts across the state to support projects that protect water quality and farmland, boost public access for outdoor recreation and conserve open space to benefit community health, tourism and economic development. The announcements include 67 grants funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund that will leverage an additional $3 million in private and local funding.

“Land conservation is essential in New York’s fight to mitigate climate change and protect our state’s unparalleled natural resources,” Governor Hochul said. “Supporting the critical work of land trusts across the state will bring us closer to our goal of safeguarding 30 percent of public land in New York by 2030, ensuring future generations will have access to green space and protected natural habitats.”

The Land Trust Alliance administers the Conservation Partnership Program in coordination with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The $3.075 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants and $3 million in private and local funding will increase resilience of state lands to climate change and contribute to climate solutions by storing carbon. Natural climate solutions will have a significant role in addressing risks associated with climate change.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “As New York State continues to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the capacity built by the Conservation Partnership Program in the land trust community will be very important. Land trusts play a significant role in conserving the forests and open spaces that will help us reach the carbon sequestration goals of the Scoping Plan, including conserving natural areas in disadvantaged communities to help reduce air pollution and climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions. DEC commends the Land Trust Alliance for administering this vital program."

President and CEO of the Land Trust Alliance Andrew Bowman said, “The people of New York need and love open spaces for the many health, recreation, and economic benefits they provide and this new round of funding for the Conservation Partnership Program signals a strong commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers and the environment. These grants will leverage the strengths of New York’s land trust community to protect treasured local outdoor places and help provide important climate benefits. On behalf of the Land Trust Alliance, I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and DEC Commissioner Seggos for their work toward ensuring the continued availability of clean water, outdoor recreation, and economic opportunity in the face of climate change.”

The grant awards announced today range from $2,960 to $100,000, and include:

Capital Region - $664,040 total

• Agricultural Stewardship Association: Professional Development Grant, $100,000; Transaction Grant, $8,480
• American Farmland Trust: Catalyst Grant, $85,000
• Columbia Land Conservancy: Catalyst Grants, $115,200
• Greene Land Trust: Professional Development Grant, $78,000
• Lake George Land Conservancy: Capacity Grant, $23,8000; Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $44,500
• Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $20,900; Transaction Grant, $19,440
• The Nature Conservancy: Capacity Grant, $50,000
• Pitney Meadows Community Farm: Capacity Grant, $23,600
• Rensselaer Plateau Alliance: Capacity Grant, $23,100; Transaction Grants, $48,500
• Saratoga PLAN: Capacity Grant, $23,520

Central New York - $88,300 total

• Cazenovia Preservation Foundation: Capacity Grants, $37,400
• Finger Lakes Land Trust: Transaction Grant, $13,000
• New York Agricultural Land Trust: Capacity Grant, $37,900

Finger Lakes - $138,100 total

• Genesee Land Trust: Capacity Grant, $49,400; Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $74,400
• Genesee Valley Conservancy: Capacity Grant, $14,300

Long Island - $253,900 total

• North Shore Land Alliance: Stewardship and Resource Management Grants, $92,700
• Peconic Land Trust: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $61,200

Mid-Hudson - $870,950 total

• Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Transaction Grant, $27,700
• Dutchess Land Conservancy: Capacity Grant $49,000; Transaction Grant, $75,000
• Hudson Highlands Land Trust: Capacity Grant $50,000; Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $100,000
• Mianus River Gorge Preserve: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $39,700
• Mohonk Preserve: Capacity Grant $27,500; Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $50,000
• Orange County Land Trust: Transaction Grant, $49,750
• Outdoor Promise: Capacity Grant $24,700
• Pound Ridge Land Conservancy: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $35,000
• Putnam County Land Trust: Capacity Grant, $26,000
• Scenic Hudson Land Trust: Catalyst Grant, $100,000
• Teatown Lake Reservation: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $51,700
• Wallkill Valley Land Trust: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $32,500
• Westchester Land Trust: Professional Development Grant, $100,000; Transaction Grant $17,400
• Woodstock Land Conservancy: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $15,000

Mohawk Valley - $51,000 total

• Northeast Wilderness Trust: Transaction Grant, $31,000
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust: Transaction Grant, $20,000

New York City - $177,620 total

• Brooklyn Queens Land Trust: Capacity Grant, $33,000
• Green Guerillas: Stewardship and Resource Management Grants, $44,620
• The Trust for Public Land: Professional Development Grant, $100,000
• Open Space Institute: Catalyst Grant, $75,000

North Country - $513,790 total

• Adirondack Land Trust: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $93,300
• Champlain Area Trails: Professional Development Grant, $100,000
• Indian River Lakes Conservancy: Capacity Grant, $45,800; Transaction Grant, $2,960
• Northeast Wilderness Trust: Transaction Grant, $69,000
• OBI Land Trust: Capacity Grant, $18,850; Transaction Grant, $7,880
• Open Space Institute: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $75,000
• Thousand Islands Land Trust: Professional Development Grant, $80,000; Transaction Grant, $21,000

Southern Tier - $60,700 total

• Finger Lakes Land Trust: Catalyst Grant, $60,700

Western New York - $256,600 total

• Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust: Capacity Grants, $70,000
• Grassroots Gardens WNY: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $36,600
• Western New York Land Conservancy: Capacity Grant, $50,000; Catalyst Grant, $100,000

A detailed breakdown of these grants is available on the DEC website.

This year's grantees include 35 accredited land trusts that have secured independent verification that their work and operations meet high standards for land conservation, stewardship and nonprofit management. Accredited grantees include Adirondack Land Trust, Agricultural Stewardship Association, Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, Champlain Area Trails, Columbia Land Conservancy, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Dutchess Land Conservancy, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Genesee Land Trust, Genesee Valley Conservancy, Grassroots Gardens WNY, Greene Land Trust, Hudson Highlands Land Trust, Indian River Lakes Conservancy, Lake George Land Conservancy, Mianus River Gorge, Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, Mohonk Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, Northeast Wilderness Trust, North Shore Land Alliance, Orange County Land Trust, Open Space Institute, Peconic Land Trust, Pound Ridge Land Conservancy, Putnam County Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, Saratoga PLAN, Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Thousand Islands Land Trust, Trust for Public Land, Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, Wallkill Valley Land Trust, Westchester Land Trust, Western New York Land Conservancy and Woodstock Land Conservancy.

Since the Conservation Partnership Program's creation in 2002, and including this year's grants, the program awarded 1,144 grants totaling more than $28 million to 94 land trusts. Cumulatively, the State's investment has leveraged $29.5 million in additional funding from local and private sources.

In December 2022, Governor Hochul signed legislation setting the goal to support and contribute to national efforts to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by 2030. This law promotes biodiversity and preserves New York's wildlife, forests, and clean water sources, which are all essential to New York's health and economy. The FY2024 Enacted Budget sustains the EPF at a historic $400 million. The EPF provides funding for critical environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, enhanced recreational access, water quality improvement, and an aggressive environmental justice agenda.

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 approximately 950-member land trusts supported by more than 250,000 volunteers and 6.3 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.