Regenerate New York 2026 - Small Projects

The Regenerate NY Forestry Cost Share Program is a grant initiative administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), aimed at helping private landowners and nonprofit organizations in New York restore and regenerate forestlands. Round 5 of the program is supported through funding from the USDA Forest Service under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Forest Landowner Support Initiative and the Environmental Protection Fund for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. With a total allocation of approximately $5.08 million for this round, the program is divided into two funding tracks: Small Projects (under $50,000) and Large Projects ($50,000–$1,000,000). This analysis focuses on the Small Projects category, which has a dedicated funding pool of up to $1 million. The grant supports five key forestry practices: tree planting (afforestation and reforestation), regeneration silviculture or early successional habitat, forest health resiliency thinning, competing vegetation control, and deer exclosures. These practices aim to address New York's forest degradation challenges, including the effects of invasive species, overabundant deer, and changing climate conditions. Projects must treat a minimum of five contiguous acres and be located in rural parts of New York State, as defined by federal census data. The program strongly encourages applications from underserved landowners, including those owning forest land for less than 10 years, military veterans, and federally recognized Indian Nations or Tribes. Applicants must demonstrate technical capacity and submit a detailed work plan, including site maps, timelines, a financial workbook, and cost estimates. A certified forester, arborist, or natural resource professional must be involved in project planning and execution. All applications must be submitted through the New York State SFS Vendor Portal. The application process includes mandatory document uploads such as certifications for Sexual Harassment Prevention, Executive Order No. 16, and Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace, among others. The application period for Round 5 began on January 16, 2026. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis in the order received until the deadline of August 31, 2026, at 3 PM ET or until funds are exhausted. A performance-based payment structure is used, with milestone payments tied to deliverables outlined in the applicant’s work plan. Project activities must be completed by July 1, 2029, and the entire contract must conclude by December 15, 2029. All applicants must provide at least a 10% non-state and non-federal match, which may include in-kind contributions. Eligible applicants include non-industrial private landowners (owning less than 2,500 acres), land trusts, not-for-profits, Indian Nations or Tribes, and organizations acting on behalf of these entities. Projects that fall within the scope of the New York State 25 Million Trees Initiative or require extensive afforestation may receive prioritized consideration. Field inspections by NYSDEC staff and long-term monitoring are integral to the award and evaluation process. By addressing both ecological and climate-related threats to New York’s forests, the Regenerate NY program plays a critical role in ensuring sustainable forest management, biodiversity preservation, and long-term environmental resilience. This grant opportunity offers robust support to small-scale landowners seeking to contribute to statewide climate and conservation goals.

Prioritize early submission; Partner with a forester; Ensure rural eligibility; Target priority areas or demographics for increased competitiveness.