State offers funding for historic sites, trails

NEW YORK STATE--Parks and Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), with support from the governor and legislature, announce the fourth round of $500,000 in competitive grants through the NYS Park and Trail Partnership Program funded through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund. The grants are available to organizations that support parks, trails, historic sites and public lands, and are administered by PTNY, in partnership with OPRHP.
The program is designed to:
• Enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, environmental education, maintenance and promotion of New York state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands.
• Increase the sustainability, effectiveness, productivity, volunteerism and fundraising capabilities of not-for-profit organizations that promote, maintain and support NYS parks, trails, historic sites and public lands.
• Promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails, greenways, and public lands.
"It's inspiring to see the transformational effect of the Park and Trail Partnership Program grants and how they are enhancing the ability of friends groups to make an even greater contribution to the stewardship of New York's great outdoor spaces," said PTNY Executive Director Robin Dropkin.
"State parks, trails, historic sites and forests offer outstanding recreational opportunities, add to our quality of life, and bring people together," State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. "Friends groups and volunteers are crucial to the success of the state park system, and these grants will help these dedicated organizations to make our public lands even better."
Applications are due Nov. 30, 2018. Grant awards are expected to be announced in March 2019. The Park and Trail Partnership Program is open to organizations whose primary mission is the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, environmental education, maintenance and promotion of a specific New York state park, trail, historic site or public land under the jurisdiction of OPRHP or DEC. More information is available at http://ptny.org/our-work/support/park-trail-partnership-program.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "New York is making significant investments with the state's Environmental Protection Fund to sustainably improve and expand access for outdoor recreation in a manner that is protective of the state's irreplaceable natural resources and partners are key to our success. [The] DEC is proud to be a part of this year's NYS Park and Trail Partnership Program. These EPF-supported grants will help our partners improve stewardship of trails and parks across the state while advancing conservation activities and enhancing opportunities for outdoor recreation."
Parks and Trails New York is New York's statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space.