Great news for the land, water, wildlife, and people of New York State!

Annie Jacobs, May 8, 2024

The summit of Bunker Hill at Boehme Legacy Forest in Grafton will be accessible to hikers thanks in part to funding through the New York State Conservation Partnership Program. Photo by Nate Simms.

On May 7, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the award of $3 million in New York State Conservation Partnership Program grants for 64 projects (supporting 44 land trusts across the state) that will "protect water quality, prevent farmland conversion, boost public access for outdoor recreation, and conserve open space."

Rensselaer Plateau Alliance / Rensselaer Land Trust is thrilled to be among these groups to be awarded. We are honored to receive funding that will support the opening of the David M. Hunt Preserve in Grafton, allow for hiking access across a creek to an amazing rocky summit at Boehme Legacy Forest, and ensure the protection of a keystone piece of forest that connects two conservation areas on the Rensselaer Plateau.

These projects are supported with funding from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York's Environmental Protection Fund. The NYSCPP is administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Please read the governor's full press release for more details here.