The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced that approximately $5 million in funding is now available in the fifth round of the State’s ‘Regenerate NY’ Forestry Cost Share Grant Program. The grant program is designed to assist private landowners in growing the next generation of forests, which are crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change, providing wildlife habitat, protecting air and water quality, and supporting green jobs and local economies. Funded projects will enhance efforts made through New York’s 25 Million Trees Initiative to restore and sustain the state’s natural landscapes.
For Round 5 of this grant opportunity, DEC’s goal is to support underserved landowners and priority projects. A portion of the grant funds will be reserved until March 10, 2026, for landowners and projects that meet the following criteria:
Landowners:
- active or veteran military landowners;
- first-time landowners (owned property less than 10 years); and
- State or federally recognized Indian Nations or Tribes.
Or projects dedicated to:
- Improving the health of significantly degraded forests due to an insect pest or disease outbreak; and
- Large-scale planting projects (greater than 5 acres).
Private landowners planning to restore or establish five or more acres of forest land in New York State may apply for grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $1 million. A 10 percent match is required. A portion of the funding for projects in this round will be available upfront to assist with the high costs associated with these practices. Eligible projects include:
- 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 to promote forest health or regrowth;
- removing competing or invasive vegetation that would interfere with seedling establishment and growth; and
- Installing tree protection to prevent deer browsing of young tree seedlings.
Applicants must work with a forester or a qualified natural resource professional to develop their project.
A portion of the grant funds will be reserved for priority landowners and projects until Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Any remaining funds will then be made available to all qualified applicants. Applications will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on August 31, 2026, in SFS Grants Management. Grant funds will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or the August 31 deadline.
Expanded funding for the fifth Round of Regenerate NY is supported by the USDA Forest Landowner Support Grant, the Environmental Protection Fund, and the Arbor Day Foundation.
For more details about the grant opportunity including application criteria, visit DEC’s website. For more information, read the January 16 press release.
If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it. Try it free for a whole month
