New York State Department of Environmental Conservation awards US$3M to 45 land trusts; grants will support 61 conservation projects and leverage US$2.6M in private funding

Albany, N.Y. — New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton has announced more than $3 million was awarded to 45 not-for-profit land trusts across the state. The funding, made available through the Conservation Partnership Program, will support 61 projects designed to support land trusts and their ongoing work, which complements the state’s efforts to protect water quality, prevent farmland conversion, boost public access for outdoor recreation, and conserve open space.

“The Conservation Partnership Program demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing New York’s environmental goals,” said Commissioner Lefton. “Land trusts are essential partners in protecting critical habitats, expanding public access to nature and making communities across the state more climate resilient. The Conservation Partnership Program grants announced today build upon the successful partnership between DEC, the Land Trust Alliance and New York’s land trusts, and reflect our dedication to working hand-in-hand with local organizations to achieve our shared conservation goals and protect public land. Congratulations to the awardees — your dedication is helping to build a greener, healthier and more sustainable New York.”

The grants are supported by the state’s Environmental Protection Fund and will leverage an additional $2.6 million in private and local funding. The Land Trust Alliance administers the Conservation Partnership Program in coordination with DEC. Since its creation in 2002, the Conservation Partnership Program has awarded 1,268 grants totaling more than $34 million to 99 land trusts, with the funding leveraging at least $36 million in additional private and local funding.

“Supporting land trusts and private land conservation benefits the people of New York in countless ways, from protecting open spaces to preserving farmland and conserving natural resources,” said Ashley Demosthenes, CEO of the Land Trust Alliance. “New York’s Conservation Partnership Program grants illustrate the state’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of its residents and the environment by leveraging the strengths of New York’s land trust community to protect treasured local outdoor spaces and enhance resilience against the impacts of increasingly severe weather and a changing climate. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul, DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for working to ensure the continued availability of clean water, outdoor recreation and economic opportunities for all New Yorkers.”

The grant awards announced today range from $2,000 to $100,000. This year's grantees include 35 accredited land trusts that secured independent verification that their work and operations meet high standards for land conservation, stewardship, and nonprofit management.

Project list and summaries:

• 2025 grant roster with project summaries2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Capacity & Excellence Grants Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Beaverkill Valley Land Trust Systems Improvement Program - Grant will enable Beaverkill Valley Land Trust Lew Beach, Beaverkill Valley Land Trust to update and upgrade its systems and remedy issues with old conservation easement paperwork in $20,000 Sullivan County preparation for accreditation. Strategic Planning and Building Organizational Capacity - Grant will enable Chenango Greenway Norwich, C o n s e r vancy to update their strategic plan with a focus on identifying strategies for growing the Chenango Greenway Conservancy $18,750 Chenango County organization, building a sustainable revenue sources and implementation of Land Trust Standards and Practices in preparation for pursuing accreditation. Island Cottage Woods Site Design Improvements - Grant will enable Genesee Land Trust to work with a Greece, Genesee Land Trust* landscape architecture firm to design a more accessible, interactive and resilient trail system at Island $50,000 Monroe County Cottage Woods Preserve. Building Deeper Expertise on Grassland Birds and Their Habitat - Grant will enable Grassland Bird Trust to Schuylerville, Grassland Bird Trust deepen their staff, board and volunteers understanding of grassland birds and the important role the $24,460 Saratoga County Washington County Grassland habitat plays in preventing their extirpation in the Northeast. Rebuilding Momentum: Strengthening Fundraising Capacity for the Manhattan Land Trust - Grant will Manhattan, e nable Green Guerillas to support the Manhattan Land Trust by engaging a grant writer, a fundraising Green Guerillas $7,600 New York County consultant and a board trainer to help rebuild fundraising capacity. Activities include grant proposal development, donor outreach campaigns and a board training session on fundraising. Strengthening the Roots: Building Sustainable Fundraising Capacity for the Bronx Land Trust - Grant will The Bronx, e n able Green Guerillas to fortify the Bronx Land Trust's financial sustainability and empower its board to Green Guerillas $7,200 Bronx County lead effective fundraising efforts. The initiative will enhance the land trusts capacity to secure diverse funding streams. Building on Goals and Strategies: A Plan to Establish Scientific Pathways for Fishers Island - Grant will Fishers Island, HL Ferguson Museum enable the HL Ferguson Museum use their newly developed conservation management strategies and land $35,300 Suffolk County trust goals to develop realistic, executable pathways for scientific research partnerships on Fishers Island. Getting to Know Our Winged Neighbors: Inventorying Breeding Birds in the Hudson Highlands - HHLT will Philipstown/ continue to develop a comprehensive baseline of important natural communities, rare & indicator species Hudson Highlands Land Trust* Putnam Valley, $50,000 across its preserves in Putnam County by partnering with the NY Natural Heritage Program on breeding bird Putnam County population surveys. 1 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Capacity & Excellence Grants (continued) Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Sitewide Asset Improvement Plan: Phase 1 - Grant will enable Mohonk Preserve to develop a management Gardiner, Mohonk Preserve* improvement plan with schedules and estimates for repairs and upgrades for a list of 30 prioritized $48,000 Ulster County structures. The project is phase 1 of a broader effort to develop plans for all Preserve facilities. Using the Lessons of the Monarch to Engage a Community in Habitat Protection - Grant will enable North Huntington, North Shore Land Alliance* Shore Land Alliance to build a butterfly house for the monarch butterfly and use it as a tool to engage and $23,500 Suffolk County educate community members in and effort to help secure a future for the species on Long Island. Pound Ridge, Surveying and Boundary Marking - Grant will enable Pound Ridge Land Conservancy to hire a surveyor to Pound Ridge Land Conservancy* Westchester update boundaries at target preserves (staking, flagging, locating pins) to address ongoing encroachment $50,000 County concerns. Board Development and Executive Leadership Evaluation - Grant will enable Pound Ridge Land Pound Ridge, Conservancy to work with a consultant to evaluate the land trusts personnel needs, in particular the Pound Ridge Land Conservancy* Westchester $2,000 possibility of adding executive staff and develop board and staff structure, expectations, succession and County recruiting processes. Capacity for Excellence in Land Stewardship - Grant will enable Ramapo Munsee Land Alliance to work with Stony Point, a fundraising consultant to identify ways to enhance donor outreach, strengthen fundraising systems and Ramapo Munsee Land Alliance $25,000 Rockland County ensure financial stability, allowing the organization to more effectively implement their mission of protecting and stewarding sacred Indigenous lands. Fee Title Management Plan & Policy Updates - Grant will allow Saratoga PLAN to update management Saratoga Springs, plans and revise the organizations stewardship policy in accordance with Land Trust Standards and Saratoga PLAN* $50,000 Saratoga County Practices. Updates will include considerations for climate change, invasive species management and improving accessibility of recreational areas. Improving Pollinator Habitats in a Community Green Space - Grant will enable the Sisters of St. Joseph to undertake multiple projects across their 212-acre campus including expanding existing native plant gardens, Brentwood, Sisters of Saint Joseph of Brentwood exploring no mowing and prescribed burn strategies to improve pollinator connectivity and species diversity $25,000 Suffolk County and engaging and educating volunteers about invasive species removal and the importance of protecting pollinator habitat. Strategic Conservation Plan Update - Climate and Connectivity - Grant will allow Thousand Islands Land Clayton, Thousand Islands Land Trust* Trust to revise their outdated GIS based Strategic Conservation Plan to incorporate new conservation $37,250 Jefferson County opportunities and challenges related to protecting and stewarding land for climate resilience. 2 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Capacity & Excellence Grants (continued) Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Fund Development and Engagement Program Implementation - Grant will enable Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust to hire a contractor to begin implementation of phase 1 of their new Fund Development and Watertown, Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust* Engagement Plan which aims to help the land trust become more sustainable through a series of steps $50,000 Jefferson County including diversifying funding sources, improving outreach and communications, community engagement and more. Bedford Hills, Drawing the Line: Delineating Boundaries to Protect Legacy Lands - Grant will allow Westchester Land Westchester Land Trust* Westchester Trust to accelerate their annual property boundary survey program as they prepare for reaccreditation and $50,000 County to address current boundary disputes and prevent egregious encroachments and issues in the future. Bedford Hills, Embodying a Conservation Culture of Care - Westchester Land Trust will be implementing year one of a 3- Westchester Land Trust* Westchester $15,000 year plan to ensure its work is responsive to the evolving conservation needs of all communities it serves. County Bedford Hills, Engaging and Empowering Landowners Through Conservation Easement Stewardship - Grant will enable Westchester Land Trust* Westchester Westchester Land Trust to reframe their easement stewardship work by shifting to a more collaborative $32,000 County approach than just annual monitoring by building stronger relationships with easement landowners.. TOTAL $621,060 Conservation Catalyst Grants Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Hemlock to High Tor Initiative - Grant will allow the Finger Lakes Land Trust to work with partners to launch Naples, Finger Lakes Land Trust* the Hemlock to High Tor Initiative that will ensure the future protection of a 114,000-acre forested $100,000 Ontario County landscape extending from Hemlock Lake to the High Tor Wildlife Management Area. Community Grow Program - Grant will enable Grassroots Gardens WNY to partner with Buffalo Olmsted Buffalo, P a r k s C o nservancy to launch a community grow program which will bring people from different groups Grassroots Gardens WNY* $47,150 Erie County together to grow native plants in community growing space, creating networks for collaboration, share resources and create additional community engagement in land stewardship. Red Flags in Green Spaces: Understanding the Risk of Tick Bite Exposure Together - Grant will bring Bedford, together Mianus River Gorge, Mohonk Preserve and Nature Health Global to advance tick research, Mianus River Gorge* Westchester $71,850 enhance bite prevention education and inform natural area management strategies that prioritize tick County control. 3 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Conservation Catalyst Grants (continued) Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Expanding Access & Leveraging Partnerships: Community-Centered Open Space Funding - The Open Space Garrison, Putnam Institute in partnership with the New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition, will leverage the Open Spaces for Open Space Institute $75,000 County All report and collaborate with federal, state, and local grantors to improve outdoor access for disadvantaged communities. Connecting Families to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail: Enhancing Engagement & Education in Gardiner - Gardiner, G r ant will enable Wallkill Valley Land Trust to partner with the Gardiner Library to enhance family Wallkill Valley Land Trust* $17,500 Ulster County engagement on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail by installing interactive storyboards and providing educational backpacks that families can borrow from the library to explore the outdoors. TOTAL $311,500 Professional Development Grants Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Adirondack Conservation Operations Specialist - Grant will enable Adirondack Land Trust to bring on a full- Keene, t i m e Conservation Operations Specialist, a new position that will help staff meet land-protection Adirondack Land Trust* $80,000 Essex County opportunities, broaden benefits of protected lands and sustain private lands—a big step toward capacity suited to the size, needs and importance of the Adirondacks. Building Capacity for Long Term Sustainability - Grant will enable Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust to work Buffalo, o n s ustainability by hiring a full-time Development Coordinator to work with the staff and board to Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust* $100,000 Erie County strengthen land trust operations, broaden financial support and continue to build relationships with community groups and individuals in their service area. Development Coordinator - Grant will allow Cazenovia Preservation Foundation to hire a part-time Cazenovia, Cazenovia Preservation Foundation* Development Coordinator to help the staff and board grow the organization's development program to $97,500 Madison County support strategic plan goals and long-term sustainability. Creating the First Land Conservation Manager Position for Champlain Area Trails - Grant will enable Westport, C h amplain Area Trails to hire a full-time Land Conservation Manager to take on the bulk of the land trusts Champlain Area Trails* $100,000 Essex County land protection work including monitoring conservation easements and working with landowners to convert revocable trail agreements to permanent trail easements. 4 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Professional Development Grants (continued) Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Land Protection Manager - Grant will enable Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy to hire a full-time Land Albany, Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy* Protection Manager to help the organization meet the growing demand for their land conservation services $100,000 Albany County throughout their service area which includes Albany, Montgomery and Schenectady counties. Human Resources Manager - Grant will enable Mohonk Preserve to hire their first Human Resources Gardiner, M a nager. The position will be full-time and will help to professionalize and centralize this crucial role to Mohonk Preserve* $80,000 Ulster County enable leadership to devote more time and resources to core priorities of conservation. stewardship and environmental education. Cooperstown, E n h a n c i n g Land Protection Capacity - Grant will allow Otsego Land Trust to expand the staff capacity for Otsego Land Trust* $98,000 Otsego County land protection and stewardship by adding a full-time Conservation Easement and Stewardship Manager. Land Protection Specialist to Manage Teatown Lake Reservation’s Land Trust - Grant will support Ossining, Teatown's hiring of a full-time Land Protection Manager, a position which will be responsible for Teatown Lake Reservation* Westchester $80,000 monitoring and maintaining conservation easement and fee land boundaries and ensuring that the newly County accredited land trust remains fully compliant with the expectations that come with that designation.. Increasing Executive Director's Capacity - Grant will enable the New York Agricultural Land Trust to Elbridge, u p g r a d e t h e i r Executive Director from part-time to full-time, which will give the land trust more capacity for The New York Agricultural Land Trust $80,000 Onondaga County outreach and fundraising while continuing to oversee the conservation and easement stewardship programs. TOTAL $815,500 Stewardship & Resource Management Grants Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Preparing for Public Access at the Argyle Community Forest - Grant will support the Agricultural Argyle, S t e w a r d s hip Associations implementation of the first phase of trail building on its newly acquired 78-acre Agricultural Stewardship Association* $95,000 Washington County community forest property in preparation for welcoming the public and providing a long-lasting community amenity. Queens/Brooklyn, Strengthening Approaches to Stewardship - Grant will enable Brooklyn Queens Land Trust to begin Brooklyn Queens Land Trust* Queens/Kings addressing critical infrastructure needs at their gardens including water systems, property protection and $50,000 Counties hardscape repairs. 5 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Stewardship & Resource Management Grants Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Building Community through Habitat Restoration and Trail Enhancements - Grant will enable Columbia Philmont, L a n d C o n s e rvancy to engage contractors and volunteers to enhance the trail network and overlook area at Columbia Land Conservancy* $88,750 Columbia County High Falls through habitat restoration and trail improvements, creating more accessible access to enjoy the highest waterfall in Columbia County Management of Calcareous Fen Habitat and its Rare Species - Grant will enable Friends of the Great Dover, S w a m p to continue the work they started with a 2020 CPP grant to improve bog turtle habitat through the Friends of the Great Swamp $58,000 Dutchess County removal of phragmites and control of purple loosestrife by expanding the project area and focusing on the overall management of the fen habitat. Creating Ambassador Nature Preserves at Deer Creek Woods - Grant will enable Genesee Land Trust to Ontario, Genesee Land Trust* contract with trail builders to develop Ambassador Nature Preserves in Ontario, NY with accessible trails, $50,000 Wayne County interpretive signage, benches and enabling deeper connections of people to nature. Avon/Geneseo, Launching an Invasive Species Strike Team - Grant will enable Genesee Valley Conservancy to recruit, train Livingston County, Genesee Valley Conservancy* and equip qualified personnel to target and remove invasive species that threaten the goals of fee lands $50,700 Wayland, Steuben according to prioritization inventories. County Sustainable Public Access Improvements at the Wiawaka Uplands - Grant will allow Lake George Land Lake George, C o n s e rvancy to construct sustainable parking and trail upgrades to provide public access to the historic Lake George Land Conservancy* $100,000 Warren County Wiawaka Uplands Property in Lake George, which the land trust protected with a conservation easement in 2024. Bedford, G a t e w a y t o the Gorge - Phase II - Grant will support the second phase of Mianus River Gorges' “Gateway to Mianus River Gorge* Westchester the Gorge” restoration project which will include new graphic panels in the map shelter and bird $21,600 County observatory, adding to the Phase I improvements to the woodland habitat, trail and parking area. Peekskill, Improving Outdoor Access in Peekskill - Grant will enable New City Parks to make public access New City Parks Westchester improvements including trails, trailheads, kiosks and signs to the 176-acre Depew Park and work with the $75,000 County community and City of Peekskill to build a team of volunteer stewards. Farms for the Future Initiative Expansion - Grant will enable Peconic Land Trust to develop a new farm with Cutchogue, a g r i c u l t u r a l i nfrastructure as part of their long-standing Farms for the Future Initiative. Infrastructure will Peconic Land Trust* $100,000 Suffolk County include a deer fence, irrigation well/system and barn repairs. Once complete, the farm will be ready to be leased and farmed effectively. 6 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Stewardship & Resource Management Grants (continued) Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Ossining, Cliffdale Farm Meadow Restoration - Grant will enable Teatown Lake Reservation to establish an adaptive Teatown Lake Reservation* Westchester management plan for the ecologically significant yet degrading meadows at Cliffdale Farm Meadow, with $50,000 County the goal of restoring habitat function and improving overall health and biodiversity. Replacing Critical Infrastructure at Spring Pond Bog - Grant will enable The Nature Conservancy to replace Tupper Lake, The Nature Conservancy* a washed out culvert with a new bridge at Spring Pond Bog Preserve, connecting at least 6 miles of brook $55,000 Franklin County trout habitat and allowing the Preserve to be reopened to the public. Tibbetts Point Preserve Recreational Enhancement Grant - TILT's recent expansion of its Tibbetts Point Cape Vincent, P r e s e rve has safeguarded an ecological gem. The proposal seek to bring compatible recreational Thousand Islands Land Trust* $77,890 Jefferson County opportunities and access enhancements to the Preserve, garnering environmental awareness and public buy-in. TOTAL $871,940 Transaction Grants Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Rose Valley Forest II Conservation Easement - Grant funds will enable Delaware Highlands Conservancy to Thompson, Delaware Highlands Conservancy* permanently protect 18-acres of forest and wetlands directly abutting the Conservancy's existing 25.6-acre $24,300 Sullivan County Rose Valley Forest Conservation Easement in the Town of Thompson, Sullivan County. D'Auria Conservation Easement - Grant funds will assist Delaware Highlands Conservancy with the Fallsburg, Delaware Highlands Conservancy* permanent protection of 152-acres of farmland, forest and riparian areas in the Town of Fallsburg, Sullivan $24,300 Sullivan County County. Bennett Park - Grant will reimburse Dutchess Land Conservancy for costs incurred from the purchase of Millbrook, Dutchess Land Conservancy* development rights for Bennett Park, a 34-acre , historically significant property that is in the process of $18,920 Dutchess County being transformed into an accessible, outdoor space for local residents and visitors to enjoy. Expanding Canopus Creek Preserve - Grant will reimburse Hudson Highlands Land Trust for costs associated Putnam Valley, with the acquisition of the last unprotected 138-acres of Cimarron Ranch, a high conservation value Hudson Highlands Land Trust* $75,000 Putnam County property adjoining the land trusts 315-acre Canopus Creek Preserve, creating 450 contiguous acres of woods & wetlands, and enhancing public access to the preserve. 7 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Transaction Grants Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Bentley's Cave Preserve - Grant will reimburse Hudson Taconic Lands for costs associated with the recent Berlin, Hudson Taconic Lands* acquisition of the 90-acre Bentley's Cave Preserve and allow them to partner with the Northeastern Cave $18,245 Rensselaer County Conservancy on managing the property and making public access improvements. Castleton-On- Papscanee Island Preserve Expansion - Grant will enable Hudson Taconic Lands to partner with the Hudson Taconic Lands* Hudson, Rensselaer Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe to acquire and clean-up a 10-acre parcel which will be added to the Papscanee $75,000 County Island Nature Preserve which was donated back to the Tribe in 2021 by the Open Space Institute. Sucker Brook to Anthony's Nose Connector - Grant will reimburse Lake George Land Conservancy for costs Putnam, Lake George Land Conservancy* associated with a recently purchased 86-acre property that connects other land trust preserves, resulting in $31,660 Washington County a 1,620 acre tract of contiguously protected land in a vital area of the Lake George watershed. Bedford, Insolia Property Donation - Grant will enable Mianus River Gorge to cover costs associated with accepting Mianus River Gorge* Westchester $7,549 the donation of a 3-acre parcel will be added to the preserve. County Little River Wilderness Preserve - Grant will enable Northeast Wilderness Trust will acquire and conserve as Star Lake, forever-wild the 257-acre Little River Wilderness Preserve, a property with vast and ecologically sensitive Northeast Wilderness Trust* St. Lawrence $14,438 wetlands adjacent to the 107,230-acre Five Ponds Wilderness which is part of the Adirondack Forest County Preserve. Deerpark/ Buyske Easement - Grant will enable Orange County Land Trust to acquire a conservation easement on a Forestburgh, Orange County Land Trust* 134-acre property that will conserve headwaters of the Neversink River, protect diverse and resilient $20,505 Orange/Sullivan ecosystems and contribute to regional conservation efforts and climate resiliency. Counties Gibraltar Rock Community Forest - Grant will enable Orange County Land Trust, as part of a community- Warwick, Orange County Land Trust* driven efforts, to open the 136-acre Gibraltar Rock Community Forest for public access and connect it to a $50,300 Orange County larger trail network. Stack Property Easement - Grant will reimburse Otsego Land Trust for costs associated with the acquisition Davenport, Otsego Land Trust* of a conservation easement on 96-acres of farm and forestland, which will enhance the Upper Susquehanna $22,200 Delaware County watershed and serve as a model conservation strategy for neighboring landowners. 8 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summaries Transaction Grants (continued) Organization Project Location Project Summary Grant Award *Denotes Accredited Land Trusts Protecting the Floating Fen - Grant will reimburse Western New York Land Conservancy for costs Towns of Portland Western New York Land associated with the acquisition of the 225-acre Floating Fen property, a rare wetland and forest complex in and Stockton, $44,583 Conservancy* Chautauqua County. Acquired in 2023, the preserve will become publicly accessible with the opening of a Chautauqua County trail system in 2025. Acquisition of Snake Hill - Grant will reimburse Winnakee Land Trust for transaction costs associated with Stanford, Dutchess Winnakee Land Trust* the acquisition of Snake Hill, a 101-acre property of woodlands and wetlands adjacent to Winnakee Land $28,000 County Trust’s Dutchess Gables property. TOTAL $455,000 Summary of 2025 Conservation Partnership Program Grant Awards Grant Category Grant Funding # of Grants Capacity & Excellence Grants $621,060 20 Conservation Catalyst Grants $311,500 5 Professional Development Grants $815,500 9 Stewardship & Resource Management Grants $871,940 13 Transaction Grants [1,486 acres] $455,000 14 TOTAL $3,075,000 61 9

• 2025 regional summary of funded projects with contact information2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Summary of Grant Awards by Region Contacts: Lori Severino, NYS DEC, (518) 402-8000, lori.severino@dec.ny.gov Jamie Brown, Land Trust Alliance, (901) 569-7133, jbrown@lta.org Capital District: 9 awards totaling $583,115 Agricultural Stewardship Association Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $95,000 Renee Bouplon, Executive Director, (518) 692-7285, renee@agstewardship.org Columbia Land Conservancy Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $88,750 Troy Weldy, President, (518) 392-5252, troy.weldy@clctrust.org Grassland Bird Trust Bonnie Nightengale, Stewardship & Outreach Director, (518) 499-0012, Capacity Grant $24,460 bnightingale@grasslandbirdtrust.org Transaction Grant $18,245.00 Hudson Taconic Lands Jim Bonesteel, Executive Director, (518) 712-9211, jim@rensselaerplateau.org Transaction Grant $75,000.00 Capacity Grant $31,660.00 Lake George Land Conservancy Mike Horn, Executive Director, (518) 644-9673, mhorn@lglc.org Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $100,000.00 Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy Professional Development Grant $100,000 Mark King, Executive Director, (518) 436-6346, mark@mohawkhudson.org Saratoga PLAN Capacity Grant $50,000 Robert Davies, Executive Director, (518) 587-5554, RobertD@saratogaplan.org Central New York: 2 awards totaling $177,500 Cazenovia Preservation Foundation Professional Development Grant $97,500 Jennifer Wong, Executive Director, (315) 877-1742, jwong@cazpreservation.org The New York Agricultural Land Trust Professional Development Grant $80,000 Brandy Colebrook, Executive Director, (315) 203-6077, bcolebrook@nyalt.org 1 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Summary of Grant Awards by Region Finger Lakes: 4 awards totaling $232,558 Finger Lakes Land Trust Catalyst Grant $100,000 Andy Zepp, Executive Director, (607) 275-9487, andrewzepp@fllt.org Capacity Grant $50,000 Genesee Land Trust Lorna Wright, Executive Director, (585) 256-2130, lwright@geneseelandtrust.org Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $50,000 Genesee Valley Conservancy Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $50,700 Ben Gajewski, Executive Director, (585) 243-2190, ben@geneseevalleyconservancy.org Long Island: 4 awards totaling $138,380 HL Ferguson Museum Capacity Grant $35,300 Pierce Rafferty, Executive Director, (631) 788-7239, fimuseum@fishersisland.net North Shore Land Alliance Capacity Grant $23,500 Lisa Ott, President & CEO, (516) 922-1028, lisa@northshorelandalliance.org Peconic Land Trust Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $100,000 John Halsey, President, (631) 283-3195, jhalsey@peconiclandtrust.org Sisters of Saint Joseph of Brentwood Capacity Grant $25,000 Tesa Fitzgerald, President, (631) 273-1187, fitzgeraldt@csjbrentwood.org Mid-Hudson: 26 awards totaling $1,069,824 Beaverkill Valley Land Trust Capacity Grant $20,000 Gwen Schantz, Administrative Director, (718) 404-2023, gwen.schantz@gmail.com Transaction Grant $24,300 Delaware Highlands Conservancy Diane Rosencrance, Executive Director, (570) 226-3164, diane@delawarehighlands.org Transaction Grant $24,300 Dutchess Land Conservancy Transaction Grant $18,920 Rebecca Thornton, President, (845) 677-3002, beckyt@dutchessland.org Friends of the Great Swamp Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $58,000 James Utter, Chair, (845) 216-2178, JMUtter98@aol.com 2 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Summary of Grant Awards by Region Mid-Hudson Continued: 26 awards totaling $1,069,824 Capacity Grant $50,000 Hudson Highlands Land Trust Katrina Shindledecker, Executive Director, (845) 424-3358, katrina.shindledecker@hhlt.org Transaction Grant $75,000 Catalyst Grant $71,850 Mianus River Gorge Rod Christie, Executive Director, (914) 234-3455, rchristie@mianus.org Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $21,600 Transaction Grant $7,549 Capacity Grant $48,000 Mohonk Preserve Kevin Case, President and CEO, (845) 255-0919, kcase@mohonkpreserve.org Professional Development Grant $80,000 New City Parks Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $75,000 LoriJeane Moody, Managing Director, (732) 595-8331, LoriJeane@newcityparks.org Open Space Institute Catalyst Grant $75,000 Kathy Moser, Chief Conservation and Policy Officer, (212) 290-8200, kmoser@osiny.org Transaction Grant $20,505 Orange County Land Trust Jim Delaune, Executive Director, (845) 534-3690, jim@oclt.org Transaction Grant $50,300 Capacity Grant $2,000 Pound Ridge Land Conservancy Jack Wilson, President, (914) 205-3533, jwilson@bsfllp.com Capacity Grant $50,000 Ramapo Munsee Land Alliance Madeline Escobar Betancourt, Executive Director, (917) 817-9155, Capacity Grant $25,000 madeline@ramapomunseelandalliance.org Professional Development Grant $80,000 Teatown Lake Reservation Kevin Carter, Executive Director, (914) 762-2912, kcarter@teatown.org Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $50,000 3 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Summary of Grant Awards by Region Mid-Hudson Continued: 26 awards totaling $1,069,824 Wallkill Valley Land Trust Catalyst Grant $17,500 Christie DeBoer, Executive Director, (845) 255-2761, Christie@wallkillvalleylt.org Capacity Grant $50,000 Westchester Land Trust Kara Whelan, President, (914) 234-6992, kara@westchesterlandtrust.org Capacity Grant $32,000 Capacity Grant $15,000 Winnakee Land Trust Transaction Grant $28,000 Robert Davis, Executive Director, (845) 876-4213, director@winnakee.org Mohawk Valley: 1 awards totaling $98,000 Otsego Land Trust Professional Development Grant $98,000 Greg Farmer, Executive Director, (607) 547-2366, Gregory@otsegolandtrust.org New York City: 3 awards totaling $64,800 Brooklyn Queens Land Trust Capacity Grant $50,000 DeVonne Jackson Perez, Executive Director, (718) 963-7020, devonne.perez@bqlt.org Capacity Grant $7,200 Green Guerillas Sarah Williams, Executive Director, (212) 594-2155, sarah@nycgreen.org Capacity Grant $7,600 North Country: 7 awards totaling $414,578 Adirondack Land Trust Professional Development Grant $80,000 Mike Carr, Executive Director, (518) 837-7569, mike.carr@adirondacklandtrust.org Champlain Area Trails Professional Development Grant $100,000 Arin Burdo, Executive Director, (518) 962-2287, Arin@champlainareatrails.com Northeast Wilderness Trust Transaction Grant $14,438 Jon Leibowitz, Executive Director, (802) 224-1000, jon@newildernesstrust.org 4 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Summary of Grant Awards by Region North Country Continued: 7 awards totaling $414,578 The Nature Conservancy Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $55,000 Anna Bartlett, Grants Specialist, (518)-690-7870, anna.bartlett@tnc.org Capacity Grant $37,250 Thousand Islands Land Trust Jake Tibbles, Executive Director, (315) 686-5345, jtibbles@tilandtrust.org Stewardship & Resource Management Grant $77,890 Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust Capacity Grant $50,000 Mark Pacilio, Executive Director, (315) 779-8240, mpacilio@tughilltomorrowlandtrust.org Southern Tier: 2 awards totaling $40,950 Chenango Greenway Conservancy Capacity Grant $18,750 Sharon Pelois, Chair, (607) 373-9948, sharon.pelosi@gmail.com Otsego Land Trust Transaction Grant $22,200 Greg Farmer, Executive Director, (607) 547-2366, Gregory@otsegolandtrust.org Western New York: 3 awards totaling $191,733 Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust Professional Development Grant $100,000 Tracy Fletcher, Executive Director, (716) 431-5250, tracy@bnrlandtrust.org Grassroots Gardens WNY Catalyst Grant $47,150 Tim Chen, Executive Director, (716) 783-9653, director@grassrootsgardens.org Western New York Land Conservancy Transaction Grant $44,583 Marisa Riggi, Executive Director, (716) 687-1225, marisa@wnylc.org 5 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Summary of Grant Awards by Region Summary: Region Total # Grant Awards Total Capital Region 9 $583,115 Central New York 2 $177,500 Finger Lakes 4 $250,700 Long Island 4 $183,800 Mid-Hudson 26 $1,069,824 Mohawk Valley 1 $98,000 New York City 3 $64,800 North Country 7 $414,578 Southern Tier 2 $40,950 Western New York 3 $191,733 Total Acreage Protected: 1,486 61 $3,075,000 Please refer to 2025 New York State Conservation Partnership Program Detailed Project Summary for additional information on individual projects. 6

The grants are the latest state action to help promote open space preservation and conservation. The 2025-26 enacted state budget increases the EPF to a record $425 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. In December 2022, Governor Hochul signed legislation setting the goal to support and contribute to national efforts to conserve at least 30% of U.S. land and water by 2030. This law promotes biodiversity and conserves New York's wildlife, forests and clean water sources, which are all essential to New York's health and economy.

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