72 Conservation Partnership Program grants awarded to 55 New York land trusts across the state

At a festive Earth Week event in Skaneateles, NY yesterday, the Land Trust Alliance and NY State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos gathered land conservation leaders from across the state to announce a 13th round of funding from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program. 

The Catskill Center was a recipient of funding for stewardship and access improvements at its Platte Clove Preserve, located in Elka Park, NY. Visit catskillcenter.org/platte-clove-preserve for information on the preserve and how to visit. Funding for this project and the New York State Conservation Partnership comes from the Environmental Protection Fund.

In all, the Land Trust Alliance is awarding 72 grants totaling $1.8 million to 55 land trusts from Long Island to Buffalo.

“Land trusts continue to make a difference in local communities, maximizing public and private dollars to protect and preserve our state’s natural resources for generations to come,” said Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Through partnerships like these, the Environmental Protection Fund provides critical support for many environmental and open space programs, generating revenue, creating jobs, and ensuring a cleaner and healthier New York.”

The investments will support a suite of local and regional conservation initiatives, strengthen strategic partnerships and help land trusts permanently conserve 1,470 acres of prime farmland, wildlife habitat and priority open space. 

This year’s funding advances several key themes for conservation in New York, captured in this year’s “highlights” posters:

·         Improving Public Access for Outdoor Recreation & Tourism (Capacity Grants)

·         Food Matters: Next Generation Farmers & Community Gardens (Conservation Catalyst Grants)

·         Protecting New York’s Precious Water Resources (Transaction Grants)

·         Building Community Through Stewardship (Professional Development Grants)

“We applaud New York’s tremendous progress in strengthening the Environmental Protection Fund in this year’s state budget.  Individually and together, these are smart investments promoting healthy communities, strategic land conservation and environmental stewardship. On behalf of the Land Trust Alliance and its supporters, we thank Governor Cuomo, Acting Commissioner Seggos and the New York State Legislature,” said Andrew Bowman, president of the Land Trust Alliance.

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ABOUT THE CATSKILL CENTER

Since 1969, we have led the effort to protect the more than 700,000 acres of the Catskill Park and Catskill Forest Preserve.

We are the major force advocating for the Catskill region.

Our Mission: To protect and foster the environmental, cultural and economic well-being of the Catskill region.

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