New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the second round of competitive grants for the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts (FCELT) Grant Program. In partnership with the Land Trust Alliance, a total of $1.35 million in grant funding is available for DEC to award to eligible, accredited land trusts to purchase conservation easements on forested land for the purpose of protecting these lands from future development. The goal of the grant program is to increase the pace of forest land conservation to keep forests as forests and combat climate change.
"Protecting and managing forests is essential to the state’s efforts to combat climate change and we commend partners like the Land Trust Alliance for helping to implement programs that protect our vital forest resources,” said Commissioner Seggos. "These grants are just one tool DEC is using to advance the state’s forest conservation goals, implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Scoping Plan recommendations, and protect the state’s biodiversity for future generations. I encourage land trusts to apply for these grants and help us conserve New York’s forests.”
Applicants may apply for up to $350,000 to fund the acquisition of conservation easements on forest land in New York State. To apply, a 25 percent match of grant funding is required and land trusts must be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
"We must increase the pace of land conservation to help prevent the worst effects of climate change and to make progress on achieving the critical goals laid out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Scoping Plan,” said Jennifer Miller Herzog, the Land Trust Alliance's Chief Program Officer. “This new round of funding to help protect New York’s forests signals a strong commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers and the environment. The Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts program leverages the strengths and expertise of local land trusts and their ability to work with willing landowners to keep their forests as forests. We are proud to partner with DEC to help continue this innovative approach to protecting one of our most important natural resources. 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.”
Funding for the grant program is provided by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Governor Hochul's 2023-24 Executive 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.
FCELT grants will further goals/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.
The program has a two-step application process which includes a pre-application and a full application. Pre-applications are now being accepted and are due by May 11, 2023. Full applications are by invitation only. Applicants invited to submit a full application will be notified by June 13, 2023. Full applications are due by July 28, 2023. Complete details about this grant opportunity including eligibility requirements and other program elements can be found on the FCELT webpage.
Privately owned forest lands cover 13.62 million acres and represent 74 percent of New York's forests. More than 10 million acres are considered family-owned or non-corporate forests. These nearly 700,000 private forest landowners help support clean air and water protection, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat conservation, and grow the state’s forest-based economy. The FCELT provides resources to combat leading threats facing the states forests and to keeping privately-owned forests healthy and intact.
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. More information about the Alliance is available on the Land Trust Alliance website at https://landtrustalliance.org.
