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DEC Announces Fifth Round of Regenerate NY Forestry
Cost Share Grants
Published: January 20, 2026
at 06:45 a.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Announces Fifth Round of Regenerate NY Forestry
Cost Share Grants
$5 Million Available for Private Forest Landowners to
Expand, Improve, and Restore Forests
Projects Support Governor Hochul’s 25 Million Trees by 2033 Initiative and New York State
Climate Goals
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton has
announced that more than $5 million is now available through the fifth
round of the Regenerate NY Forestry Cost Share Grant Program. This grant
program provides financial assistance to private landowners establishing
new forests, improving the health of existing forests, and restoring
forests that are heavily impacted by factors such as deer browse, invasive pests, or fragmentation. The funding
for this round is made possible by the State Environmental Protection
Fund’s (EPF) Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Program,
the Forest Landowners Support grant from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, and the Arbor Day Foundation. New trees
planted as a result of funded projects will contribute to Governor Hochul’s 25 Million Trees Initiative.
“Regenerate NY
reflects commitments by Governor Kathy Hochul and DEC to protecting and
strengthening New York’s forests for future generations,” said
Commissioner Lefton. “Private landowners own approximately 75% of
our state’s forestland, so it is essential that we support and invest in
their ability to manage their forests sustainably. This round of funding
will empower landowners to expand and restore their forests, support green
jobs and local economies, and ensure these lands continue to provide clean
air and water, habitat for wildlife, and resilient landscapes.”
Private
landowners may apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $1 million to
conduct one or more of the following practices on their property:
- Planting trees to restore or create new
forests,
- Creating young forest habitat to initiate
natural regeneration and improve wildlife habitat,
- Thinning to remove unhealthy or close-growing
trees and to promote forest health or regrowth,
- Removing competing or invasive vegetation,
and
- Installing tree protection to prevent deer browse of young tree seedlings.
Eligible
applicants include any individual, trust, corporate entity or other
for-profit organization that owns between 5 and 2,500 acres of undeveloped
land that is forested or can become forested through tree planting or
associated practices to encourage forest regeneration. Not-for-profit
organizations and Indian Nations or Tribes with 5 or more acres of
undeveloped land are also eligible and are not subject to the 2,500-acre
maximum requirement. Projects must be at least 5 acres and must be guided
by a private forester or natural resource professional. There is no limit
to the number of applications/bids that a landowner or organization may
submit; however, they cannot be for the same land area. Projects must be
completed by December 15, 2029.
DEC Director of
Lands and Forests and New York State Forester Fiona Watt said, “This grant
opportunity offers a flexible toolkit for landowners to create new forest
habitat on open land, and to nurture young and struggling forests to
greater health and resilience. Regenerating New York’s private
forests is a key pathway to supporting working lands, nature’s
benefits, and addressing climate change.”
Portions of the
grant funds will be reserved until March 11, 2026, for priority applicants,
including new forest landowners, active military service members and
veterans, and State or federally recognized Tribes and Indian Nations.
Funds will also be reserved for priority projects, including planting trees
on a large scale or restoring forests significantly impacted by invasive
pests or diseases. Any funds not awarded by that
date will then be available to all eligible applicants.
DEC will host a
webinar on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to provide information and answer
questions about this funding opportunity. Register for the webinar
here.
Applications will
be accepted until Thursday, August 27, 2026, and must be submitted through
the Statewide Financial System (SFS). Applicants must
register for an SFS account before they can apply, and
not-for-profits must also prequalify by the deadline or their application
will not be evaluated. For more details about the grant opportunity,
visit DEC’s website or email RegenNY@dec.ny.gov.
Regenerate NY
supports New York State’s 25 Million Trees Initiative, launched by Governor
Hochul in 2024 to drive reforestation efforts and forest stewardship across
the state. Trees planted through funded projects will be entered into the
Initiative’s Tree Tracker to
count toward the State’s goal. For more information about the 25 Million
Trees Initiative, visit DEC’s website.
Governor Hochul’s
2026 State of the State address reaffirmed New York State’s commitment to
environmental leadership with a record proposal of $425 million in funding
for the EPF. This historic investment reinforces the State’s role as a
national leader in conservation and environmental protection, helping
preserve New York’s environment for generations to come.
A $100,000 grant
from the Arbor Day Foundation to
the Natural Heritage Trust,
the charitable partner for New York’s public lands and waters, for plant
material associated with these projects will fund up to 20,000 tree
seedlings. Learn more about the Trust
and donations.
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