New eligibility guidelines for biodiversity issued

ALBANY | The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (State Parks) have announced new eligibility guidelines for biodiversity conservation and enhancement projects. DEC and State Parks are responsible for managing millions of acres of public lands across the state, and thanks to the Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act), the state is bolstering open space conservation, providing valuable ecosystem services such as climate resiliency and protecting water, air, and vital habitat for flora and fauna. "Healthy ecosystems help make our communities more resilient," DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. "These new guidelines will help DEC and our partners at State Parks identify Bond Act investments for projects improving lands and waters of ecological significance. By protecting and enhancing biodiversity, a wide range of ecosystem services can help people and nature adapt to climate change and extreme weather events." State Parks Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons said, "Protecting New York's biodiversity is vital to a healthy ecosystem, and the guidelines released today are an important step in advancing New York's commitment to a clean and resilient environment. These projects will directly benefit treasured landscapes in communities statewide, and I encourage New Yorkers to share their thoughts on this Bond Act initiative." Public lands face challenges from habitat loss, fragmentation, and ecological degradation. Implementing habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement projects are a significant component of protecting New York's biodiversity and network of resilience. Protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of natural areas provides a wide range of ecosystem services that help people and nature adapt to climate change, increase resilience to extreme weather events, and contribute to ecosystem health, which is increasingly recognized as being inseparable from human wellbeing. DEC and State Parks will use Bond Act funds to undertake and/or support ecosystem restoration and enhancement projects. These projects will include, but are not limited to, floodplain, wetland, and stream restoration, grassland, shrubland, and forest expansion, restoration, and conservation. Project Criteria To be funded, individual biodiversity conservation and enhancement projects must: Enhance, protect, conserve, or establish ecosystems and species that provide a range of ecosystem services such as flood protection, clean air and water, food security, intrinsic value of natural areas, recreation and tourism, among others; Strategically maximize benefits to multiple species using ecosystem management and natural design principles;Avoid and minimize adverse effects on other native New York flora and fauna; Use scientifically supported methods for restoration or enhancement. If new or experimental techniques are proposed, projects will include approaches for evaluation and adaptive management; Identify the expected results and benefits; Align with statewide climate resiliency programs such as, but not limited to, the 25 Million Trees Initiative, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act Scoping Plan, DEC's Division of Lands and Forests Statewide Reforestation Plan species-specific, guild-specific, or area-specific management plans, such as species conservation plans; Incorporate climate change impacts, protection, and restoration for climate resilient landscapes and biodiversity; Address priorities, needs, or threats identified by larger State or regional conservation initiatives such as, but not limited to, the Atlantic Flyway Council, the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture, the Appalachian Mountain Joint Venture, the Northeast Partnership for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, or the Staying Connected Initiative Create persistent, durable, bondable outcomes The full eligibility guidelines are available in the Sept. 3, 2025, Environmental Notice Bulletin. Public comments on the draft guidelines will be accepted until Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. and must be submitted in writing by mail to Nathan Ermer, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor Albany, NY 12233-3505. Questions can be directed to 518- 402-3447 or Nathan.ermer@dec.ny.gov The Bond Act requires that disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than 35 percent, with the goal of 40 percent, of the benefit of total Bond Act funds ($4.2 billion). Disadvantaged communities are those identified by the Climate Justice Working Group, pursuant to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Consistent with this Bond Act requirement, DEC will aim to prioritize 40 percent of grant awards benefit disadvantaged communities. Visit the Bond Act website for related information and to sign up for progress updates.

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New eligibility guidelines for biodiversity issued

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