Otsego Land Trust Receives Grants from Partnership

The Land Trust Alliance and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced October 1st that Otsego Land Trust is the recipient of two New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) grants totaling $29,000.

The first grant will enable Otsego Land Trust to more effectively share information about their flexible and innovative land protection tools via the internet. An enhanced website will make information more accessible to conservation-minded landowners, and allow Otsego Land Trust to share the fascinating stories of landowners who used their tools to protect rural lands.

The second grant will support Otsego Land Trust’s preparation for a rigorous national accreditation. This comprehensive certification is designed to ensure the long term success of the Otsego Land Trust and the conservation easements they support.

Peter Hujik, Executive Director, says “There is a remarkable group of conservation-minded individuals in our community who have taken initiative to protect their lands. Through their collaborative efforts with

Otsego Land Trust, a network of conservation lands is emerging throughout the region that compliments the lands already secured by the state, the county, private foundations, and local communities.”

Otsego Land Trust has received a total of $133,665 in awards from the NYSCPP since 2003. A previous NYSCPP award enabled Otsego Land Trust to develop a Conservation Blueprint, a guide that steers land protection efforts in strategic areas throughout the Otsego region. Last year’s NYSCPP award provided additional support to work with landowners interested in protecting their land.

Over $1.4 million dollars were granted to New York land trusts by the New York State Conservation Partnership Program, a dedicated trust fund supported by New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which provides funding for open space, solid waste and parks, recreation and historic preservation.