Conservation Partnership Program

Conservation Partnership Program is sponsored by New York State (administered via Land Trust Alliance). Provides grants to New York land trusts/nonprofits for capacity building, collaborative conservation, professional development, stewardship, public access improvements, and transaction costs for land/easement acquisitions.

The New York State Conservation Partnership Program is an innovative public-private partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Alliance’s New York Program. Throughout its history, the Conservation Partnership Program has awarded 1,325 grants totaling more than $36. 7 million to 100 land trusts working across New York.

This funding, provided by New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, has leveraged at least $36. 8 million in local matching funds, helping land trusts conserve tens of thousands of acres of farmland, wildlife habitat, recreational areas and urban open spaces. Learn more about the impact of the program New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced $2.

7 million is now available through New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Conservation Partnership Program. Supported by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund and administered by the Land Trust Alliance in coordination with DEC, the CPP provides competitive grants to qualified not-for-profit land conservation organizations for projects that complement New York State’s conservation priorities.

“New York’s land trusts are important partners in protecting the natural resources that sustain our communities,” said Commissioner Lefton. “The Conservation Partnership Program is a proven tool that helps support organizations in protecting priority lands and wildlife habitat, safeguarding water quality, and expanding opportunities for New Yorkers to connect with the outdoors. ” Read the full press release.

The deadline for all applications is **Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, by 5 p. m.

Eastern****. ** Conservation Partnership Program Grants are available in five categories: Grants to develop land trust programs and build organizational capacity to increase impact and sustainability of non-profit conservation organizations. Grants to support collaborative projects that “catalyze” new partnerships and community-supported conservation, stewardship and outreach initiatives.

Grants for land trusts looking to professionalize and strengthen programs and services by adding permanent staff. Grants for land trusts seeking to make a substantial capital investment in public access improvements and on the ground stewardship of conserved properties.

Grants that help cover the indirect costs associated with new conservation easements and fee-acquisition projects that result in strategic, permanent protection of environmentally significant lands in New York.

## Eligibility requirements Grant funding through the Conservation Partnership Program is available to qualified land conservation organizations working in New York State that meet the following criteria: * Applicant is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. * Applicants’ primary mission is the conservation and/or stewardship of private lands.

Organizations that are exclusively focused on advocacy, education or the conservation and stewardship of public lands, e.g. state-owned lands, are not eligible. * Applicant has formally adopted the Alliance’s Land Trust Standards and Practices (revised 2017) by submitting a board resolution to the Land Trust Alliance. This must be completed before submitting a grant application.

* The applicant’s service area and/or project site are located within the State of New York. Grant funds may only be used for projects, programs and activities within the State of New York. * Applicants are not required to be members of the Land Trust Alliance to apply for or receive grant funding, however, non-member land trusts are encouraged to learn more about the benefits of becoming an Alliance member.

* Applicants are not required to be accredited to apply for or receive grant funding, however, accreditation status (including an applicant’s demonstrated intention to prepare for accreditation) is an important factor in the grant evaluation process. For reference while working on your application.

* These guidelines describe how to operate a land trust legally, ethically and in the public interest, with a sound program of land transactions and land stewardship. * [](http://www. landtrustaccreditation.

org/)Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. * [](http://www. dec.

ny. gov/lands/98720. html)The Open Space Conservation Plan is a comprehensive statewide plan that describes current open space conservation goals, actions, tools, resources and programs administered by state and federal agencies and conservation nonprofits.

* [](https://www. dec. ny.

gov/animals/7179. html)The New York SWAP assesses the health of the state's wildlife and habitats, identifies the problems they face and outlines the actions that are needed to conserve them over the long term. * [](https://energyplan.

ny. gov/)The State Energy Plan is a comprehensive roadmap to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. The plan fosters economic prosperity and environmental stewardship— government and industry working together through public-private partnerships to achieve our shared goal of a healthier and stronger New York economy.

* [](https://www. dec. ny.

gov/lands/60829. html)The value of forests encompasses all the irreplaceable life-giving and life-enhancing benefits they provide. The recommendations in the plan outline the actions to be taken to ensure New York's forests are prepared for the challenges and opportunities.

* [](https://dec. ny. gov/nature/open-space/30x30)30x30 is a New York State initiative that is a part of greater national and international goals of conserving 30% of lands and waters.

* [](https://climate. ny. gov/resources/scoping-plan/)The Scoping Plan is the framework for how New York will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero emissions, increase renewable energy use, and ensure all communities equitably benefit in the clean energy transition.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that $2. 7 million was awarded to 45 not-for-profit land trusts across the state.

The funding, made available through the Conservation Partnership Program, 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.

“This year marks the 22nd round of Conservation Partnership Program grants, demonstrating New York’s commitment to supporting Land Trusts in their important work,” said Commissioner Lefton. “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. ”