Environment DEC
From the April 2003 issue
Open Space Conservation Grants Total $250,000
As part of a continuing effort to protect critical lands across the state, the New York State Conservation Partnership Program will provide $250,000 in competitive matching grants and technical help to 24 land trust organizations across the state.
The program, which was initiated last year to enhance local open space conservation programs, is funded by the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and administered by the Land Trust Alliance (LTA).
Grant Types
The grants will provide about 644 acres of new conservation land in 13 locations across the state and lay the foundation to conserve more. Several types of grants are available:
- organizational development grants, which help land trusts with planning, community outreach, fund raising and other program areas;
- transaction grants, which help cover costs associated with purchasing property or accepting a land donation or conservation easement protecting private property; and
- staffing grants, which are targeted for volunteer land trusts and smaller land trusts to help them add professional staff to more effectively protect and manage open space.
All grant recipients must have adopted the LTA Land Trust Standards and Practices to ensure that professional standards of operation are met.
Land Trust Alliance
The LTA is a non-profit, membership-supported organization dedicated to increasing the pace and quality of land conservation across America. Founded in 1982, LTA works with more than 1,200 land trusts nationwide, including 72 in New York State that comprise more than 36,000 individual members representing local communities. Working with state and local governments, LTA and the land trust community have helped to protect about 430,000 acres of land in New York State and more than 6 million acres nationwide. For a complete listing of the grants awarded, see DEC's recent press release.
