Nature Conservancy awards $500K to advance climate resilience in NY

ARLINGTON, VA. | The Nature Conservancy in New York has awarded $500,000 through its 2025 Climate Resilience Grant Program to support 12 projects that will protect more than 1,200 acres and strengthen climate resilience across the state. Now in its fifth year, the Climate Resilience Grant Program funds land trusts, local governments, Tribal Nations and nonprofit organizations working to conserve resilient lands, protect floodplains and shorelines, and build local capacity to adapt to climate change. This year's grants include six land protection projects and six planning and capacity-building initiatives, selected from a record number of applications. Projects span the Adirondacks, Hudson Valley and Western New York, with a growing emphasis on flood resilience and engaging communities across New York. "The Climate Resilience Grant Program continues to demonstrate how conservation can deliver tangible benefits for both nature and people," said Matt Levy, director of land protection for The Nature Conservancy in New York. "We're proud to support partners who are protecting vital landscapes and building the capacity needed to meet the challenges of a changing climate here in New York." 2025 GRANT HIGHLIGHTS: Land protection projects will conserve crucial forests, wetlands and shorelines, including: A 388-acre land acquisition in Madison County by Cazenovia Preservation Foundation to protect wetlands and expand public access. A newly established 276-acre preserve in Allegany County by Western New York Land Conservancy to safeguard drinking water, enhance flood resilience and increase community access to local nature. A one-acre parcel in the Village of Mamaroneck that will complete a 3.1-mile greenway in a flood-prone neighborhood. Planning and capacity-building projects will support new studies, community engagement and organizational growth, including: A coastal resilience study by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to assess flood risk along Lake Erie. A collaborative caretaking plan led by the Onondaga Nation and SUNY ESF's Center for Native Peoples and the Environment for the 1,000 acres returned to the Onondaga Nation in 2024, the largest land return to date in what is now known as New York State. A regional outreach initiative by Paul Smith's College to amplify rural voices and promote flood resilience in the Adirondack-North Country region. This year's awards reflect the program's growing emphasis on community engagement and fostering broad participation by encouraging applicants from various sectors to apply, including Indigenous partners. Several projects are led by or directly benefit communities facing environmental challenges, and all grantees demonstrated clear, tangible benefits for local residents. "We're especially proud to see past capacity-building grantees now leading ambitious land protection efforts," said Levy. "It's a strong sign that our investments in organizational growth are translating into lasting conservation outcomes." Since its launch in 2021, the Climate Resilience Grant Program has awarded $2.5 million in private funding to support the permanent protection of nearly 12,000 acres of climate-resilient lands and waters across New York. The next round of applications for grant funding will open in November 2025. The New York Climate Resilience Grant Program is part of The Nature Conservancy's larger Connectivity, Climate and Communities Fund, which also includes The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program. The Fund's overall areas of focus include: Connectivity: Creating a connected network of resilient lands and waters—a biodiversity superhighway enabling plants and animals to adapt to a changing climate. Climate: Protecting and managing forests that store significant amounts of carbon, accelerating the transition to well-sited renewable energy and helping communities to adapt and mitigate impacts from flooding. Communities: Supporting resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods—and strong connections to their natural landscapes. For more information about eligibility and guidelines, visit the website.

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Nature Conservancy awards $500K to advance climate resilience in NY

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