New York State Contract Reporter #2139566

New York DEC grants for municipal community forest land acquisition

New York State is offering municipal grants to acquire land for publicly accessible community forests. - Government buyer: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Division of Lands & Forests; Community Forest Conservation Grant Program. - Funding: Approximately $1.5 million is available through the Environmental Protection Fund. Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000, with no matching funds required. - Eligible projects: Municipal acquisition of private land by fee title or conservation easement to establish or expand a community forest. A site must include at least 10 contiguous acres and be at least 75% forested. - Access and project requirements: Acquired properties must provide 100% public access. Eligible grant costs may include land or easement purchase, appraisal, survey, environmental assessment, title work and insurance, legal and recording costs, and a community forest management plan. - Payments and timing: Funding is performance-based and may include advance payments. Applicants should allow time for acquisition-document review and payment processing; the process may not fit an existing or expedited closing schedule. - Vendors and products: No OEMs, product vendors, or specific product purchases are identified; this is a grant opportunity. - Term information: The notice lists a three-year term, while the application guidelines describe a four-year project period. The guidelines anticipate opening the community forest to the public about 18–24 months after closing.

Description

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announces Environmental Protection Fund grant funding for municipalities to acquire private land and establish or extend community forests through fee title or conservation easements. Project areas must be at least 10 acres and 75% forested, and acquired properties must allow 100% public access; any site restrictions require DEC approval. The grant has no match requirement, and the application documents state award amounts of $50,000 to $500,000. The notice cautions that document review and payment may not accommodate an existing or expedited acquisition-closing timeline.

View original listing