A massive conservation partnership program grant was announced on October 1st, with the DEC revealing that $2.7 million in funding was awarded across New York State. The Hudson Valley has been allocated nearly $900,00 in funds for area lands.

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Mid-Hudson Area of New York State Awarded $899,911 in Grant Funding

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced a whopping $2.7 million has been awarded to 45 not-for-profit land trusts across the state through the Conservation Partnership Program. DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, in an official press release, indicated that the money available through the CPP 'will support 56 projects designed to support land trusts and their ongoing work, which complement the State’s efforts to conserve open space, boost public access for outdoor recreation, protect water quality, and promote climate resiliency.'

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A total of 38 accredited land trusts were awarded funding this year ranging in allocation from $6,861 to $100,000. Here in the Hudson Valley (classified as Mid-Hudson in the release), a total of $899,991 has been allocated to the following areas:

• Beaverkill Valley Land Trust: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $24,510 
• Dutchess Land Conservancy: Professional Development Grant, $100,000 
• Hudson Highlands Land Trust: Stewardship and Resource Management Grants, $25,000 and $60,000 
• Kingston Land Trust: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $50,000; Transaction Grant, $25,000 
• Mianus River Gorge: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $58,192 
• Mohonk Preserve: Conservation Catalyst Grant, $42,000; Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $50,000 
• Open Space Institute Land Trust: Conservation Catalyst Grant, $100,000 
• Orange County Land Trust: Capacity Grant, $50,000 
• Pound Ridge Land Conservancy: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $34,000 
• Teatown Lake Reservation: Transaction Grant, $62,000 
• Wallkill Valley Land Trust: Transaction Grant, $16,689 
• Westchester Land Trust: Capacity Grant, $25,000: Transaction Grant, $75,000 
• Winnakee Land Trust: Conservation Catalyst Grant, $44,900 
• Woodstock Land Conservancy: Stewardship and Resource Management Grant, $57,700 

Climate Resiliency, Recreation, Conservation of Open Spaces Focus of Grant Funding

The Conservation Partnership Program just allocated their 22nd round of grants, with a huge investment in New York State Land Trusts. Throughout the years, since their inception in 2002, CPP has awarded more than $36.7 million across 1,325 grants.

Olivier Le Moal

New York State DEC Commissioner Lefton shared the following regarding the funds:

Partnerships with land trusts are essential to achieving our statewide conservation goals. Continuing this successful partnership with the Land Trust Alliance and New York’s land trusts across the state ensures the benefits of open space are enjoyed by all including providing recreation access, supporting community conservation projects, and promoting climate resilience through land stewardship.

Additional information about the funding across New York State through this program can be viewed on the DEC website here.