DEC: $4.5M funding to establish new forests available

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Funding through the Establishing Large Forests (ELF) Grant Program is now available for private landowners. According to the New York State Department of Enviornmental Conservation (DEC), the program is designed to support the creation of new forests crucial for mitigating clime change, protecting air and water qualities, providing wildlife habitats and supplying timber.

Under the grant program, landowners with five or more unforested land may apply for $30,000 to $750,000 to reimburse costs for establishing new forests or related projects in the state. Projects can be from preparing sites and planting trees to removing invasive plants to protecting new plantings from deer browse.

"Growing New York’s forests of the future is essential to boosting climate resilience and this grant opportunity supports both Governor Hochul’s ‘25 Million Trees’ initiative and ongoing efforts to reforest 1.7 million acres of land across the state," Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said in a statement. "Every new acre of forest land brings us closer to the State’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and private landowner play a crucial role in these efforts."

Those interested in applying for a grant must work with a forester or a qualified natural resource professional to develop their projects, according to the DEC. Applicants must also agree to maintain the new forest for at least 15 years.

"Thanks to this funding from USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), these ELF grants will incentivize forest growth on private lands and maximize the benefits of forests including biodiversity, habitat, air and water quality, and carbon storage, and I encourage all eligible landowners to apply," Mahar said.

The DEC will host a webinar on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to provide additional information and to answer questions related to the opportunity. Applications will be accepted through the SFS Grants Management System until 3 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2025.