Open Space Conservation 2025 Round 1

The Open Space Conservation Grant, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), is designed to facilitate the purchase of land for open space conservation across New York State. This program is part of a broader initiative funded through the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 and the Environmental Protection Fund. It seeks to enhance access to outdoor recreation, improve environmental quality, and increase climate resilience by funding land acquisitions that align with the state's conservation priorities. The grant supports projects that aim to protect air and water quality, promote habitat connectivity, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate climate change impacts. Eligible projects must involve fee simple acquisitions that meet criteria established in the Bond Act and New York's Open Space Conservation Plan. These include lands with ecological, habitat, recreational, or scenic value, flood mitigation benefits, or potential for public recreational use or community gardening. Grants cannot be used for conservation easements, properties with conflicting encumbrances, or lands already owned by the applicant. Eligible applicants include municipalities, not-for-profit organizations incorporated in New York State and recognized under IRS 501(c)(3), and Indian Nations or Tribes. The program is structured around a performance-based budget, with payments issued across five stages tied to project milestones. Awards range from $50,000 to $3,500,000, with $25 million available for Round 1. Importantly, no matching funds are required, and approximately $200,000 from the Environmental Protection Fund is reserved for pre-acquisition costs. Applications must be submitted through the NYS SFS Grants Management system by 3:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Prequalification is mandatory for not-for-profit applicants, and tribal applicants must register but are exempt from prequalification. Required documentation includes landowner agreement letters, market value estimates, municipal resolutions or intent statements, and various financial and legal documents. DEC will also host a mandatory information session webinar on December 3, 2025. Applications will be evaluated in two stages: an eligibility screening and a scoring process based on criteria such as environmental impact, climate adaptation value, community benefits, acquisition readiness, and cost-effectiveness. Award notifications are expected by May 2026, and projects must be completed within a three-year contract term. Additional guidelines cover post-award requirements, eligible expenditures, and grant management procedures. Grantees must also meet state compliance obligations such as SEQRA, MWBE/EEO policies, and anti-harassment certifications.

Upload all required documents in the correct slots within the SFS Grants Management system to avoid disqualification. Use the provided checklist in Appendix B. Full appraisals submitted at application earn bonus points.