2023 grants

Announcing the 2023 grantees

May 2, 2023: Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $3 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants for 45 not-for-profit land trusts across the state to support projects that protect water quality and farmland, boost public access for outdoor recreation and conserve open space to benefit community health, tourism and economic development. The announcements include 67 grants funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund that will leverage an additional $3 million in private and local funding.

The Land Trust Alliance administers the Conservation Partnership Program in coordination with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The $3.075 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants and $3 million in private and local funding will increase resilience of state lands to climate change and contribute to climate solutions by storing carbon. Natural climate solutions will have a significant role in addressing risks associated with climate change.

Program history

Throughout its history, the Conservation Partnership Program has awarded 1,144 grants totaling more than $28 million to 94 land trusts working across New York. This funding, provided by New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, has leveraged more than $29.5 million in local matching funds, helping land trusts conserve tens of thousands of acres of farmland, wildlife habitat, recreational areas and urban open spaces.

Current funding opportunities

The New York State Conservation Partnership Program is not currently accepting applications. Please check back for future announcements of funding opportunities.

Current grantees can always access their account through our online Application and Reporting Portal. Having trouble logging in or need to update organizational information? Please contact the Katrina Howey, grants program specialist, at 518-587-0932.

Grant types available

Conservation Partnership Program Grants are available in five categories:

Capacity & Excellence

Grants to develop land trust programs and build organizational capacity to increase impact and sustainability of non-profit conservation organizations.

Conservation Catalyst

Grants to support collaborative projects that “catalyze” new partnerships and community-supported conservation, stewardship and outreach initiatives.

Professional Development

Grants for land trusts looking to professionalize and strengthen programs and services by adding permanent staff.

Stewardship & Resource Management

Grants for land trusts seeking to make a substantial capital investment in public access improvements and on the ground stewardship of conserved properties.

Transaction

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.

  • Applicant’s mission is dedicated to land conservation and/or stewardship of conserved lands, and has formally adopted the 2017 Land Trust Standards and Practices.

  • Applicants do not need 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 land trust membership.

  • While accreditation is also not a prerequisite, accreditation status (including applicant’s demonstrated intention to prepare for accreditation) is an important factor in the grant evaluation process.

Review the 2023 request for applications

Questions? Reach out.

Jamie Brown

New York Program Manager

901-569-7133 | jbrown@lta.org

Katrina Howey

Grants Management Specialist

518-587-0932 | khowey@lta.org