2025 Community Forest Conservation Round 3

Welcome to Round 3 of the Community Forest Conservation (CFC) Grant Program! The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is pleased to announce available NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) funding for municipalities to acquire private land and establish new or extend existing community forests through use of fee title or conservation easements on areas that are at least 10 acres or more. Eligible project sites must be at least 75% forested. All properties acquired through this grant program are required to allow 100% public access.

This is a performance-based payments grant (payment are made upfront to awardees) for municipalities, with a 10% match requirement. Please note that document review and interim payments from this grant program may not be able to accommodate an existing or otherwise expedited timeline for acquisition closing.

Visit the DEC Community Forest Conservation Grant program at https://dec.ny.gov/nature/open-space/community-forest-conservation-grant-program .