ALBANY - Conservation Partnership Program grants totaling $1.4 million were awarded to 53 nonprofit land trusts across the state, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance announced today at Seneca Park in the City of Rochester. The grants, funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), will be matched by $1.2 million in private and local funding.

The purpose of the grants is to increase the pace, improve the quality and ensure the permanence of voluntary conservation of private lands, which will result in significant environmental and economic benefits for communities throughout New York.

“Through the hard work of New York’s many land trusts, the Conservation Partnership Program continues its important role in improving quality of life  by enabling environmental, social and economic improvement projects in urban, rural and suburban settings,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “Land conservation benefits New York’s residents, visitors, environment and economy.”

The grants announced today will help local land trusts sustain and expand community and landowner outreach, land conservation, stewardship and education programs.

The $1.4 million was awarded by region as follows:

• Western New York /Finger Lakes/Southern Tier: 10 awards totaling $232,650

• Central New York/Mohawk Valley: 5 awards totaling $80,300

• Northern New York/Adirondacks: 14 awards totaling $257,200

• Capital Region: 14 awards totaling $246,262

• Hudson Valley: 22 awards totaling $456,088

• New York City: 2 awards totaling $100,000

• Long Island: 3 awards totaling $45,000