The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a new Community Forest Conservation Grant Program. $1 million in grant funds will be available to municipalities for forest land acquisition to establish community forests.
Donor Name: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/13/2022
Size of the Grant: $50,000-$300,000
Detail:
The Community Forest Conservation Grant program funds municipal land acquisition for community forests, which are vital for wildlife habitat, flood mitigation, recreational opportunities, mental health, air quality, water quality, and to meet the obligations outlined in New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Community forests build local ownership of forests and local participation in forest management.
This is a reimbursement grant and costs eligible for reimbursement will include, but are not limited to, purchase price, appraisal, survey, title search, tax service, recording fees, and attorney fees. Properties to be acquired must be ten or more contiguous acres in size, have forests on at least 75% of the acreage, be accessible to the public, and provide public benefits such as recreation opportunities, flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, clean water, and forest products.
$1 million in grant funds will be available to municipalities for forest land acquisition to establish community forests. The grant program’s goal is to assist communities in the conservation of local forests to create opportunities for public access, help protect natural areas from development, and encourage sustainable management of forested lands.
Funding Information
A total of $1,000,000 is available in Round 1 of this grant opportunity. Applicants may request a minimum grant amount of $50,000 and up to a maximum of $300,000.
Eligibility Criteria
New York municipalities including counties, cities, towns, villages, municipal corporations, soil and water conservation districts, and Indian nations or tribes recognized by the State or the United States with a reservation wholly or partly within the boundaries of New York State, or any combination thereof, are eligible to apply for these grants.
Project Location
Eligible locations for acquisition include private properties of 10 or more acres within New York State. At least 75% of the property must be forested.
For more information, visit Community Forest Conservation Grant Program.
