DEC AND OPRHP ANNOUNCE FINALIZATION OF “30x30” OPEN SPACE CONSERVATON STRATEGIES AND METHODOLOGY

 

Outlines Key Measures to Conserve 30 Percent of New York Lands and Waters by 2030 and Support a Greener, Healthier, and More Resilient New York State

Informs Open Space Conservation Grant Programs Funded Through the Environmental Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today announced the release of the final 30x30 Strategies and Methodology, a key milestone in advancing New York State’s commitment to conserving 30 percent of its lands and waters by 2030. It outlines the State’s scientific framework, criteria, and strategic approach to identify, measure, and advance conservation efforts. The final document reflects extensive collaboration with State agencies, local governments, Tribal Nations, landowners, conservation organizations, and community stakeholders. 

Governor Kathy Hochul in 2022 signed legislation codifying New York's commitment to conserve 30% of the State's lands and waters by 2030 in collaboration with a broad group of partners and stakeholders. 

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Conserving New York’s lands and waters is a priority of Governor Hochul and fundamental to protecting biodiversity, strengthening climate resilience, and ensuring the benefits of our natural resources can be enjoyed by future generations. The final 30x30 guidance document provides a clear, credible, and measurable path forward—one that recognizes the urgency of conservation while valuing collaboration, equity, and sound science.” 

OPRHP Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said, “New York’s state parks, historic sites, and protected landscapes play a critical role in achieving the goals of 30x30. This strategy reflects our commitment to stewardship, recreation, and partnerships that connect people to the outdoors while safeguarding the places that define our state.”

DEC and OPRHP released a draft of the 30x30 Strategies and Methodology on July 1, 2024, for public comment and held two virtual public meetings to facilitate meaningful public engagement, discussion, and comment. More than 400 public comments and recommendations were received, which were essential in developing a thoughtful and inclusive approach to achieving conservation goals. A summary of the public comments and a responsiveness summary can be found on DEC’s website. 

Progress Towards 30x30

To date, more than 23% of New York State’s lands and waters are conserved. Since 2022, DEC and OPRHP are making substantial gains towards the 30x30 goal with the conservation of more than 36,241 acres of open space through direct fee acquisitions and conservation easements, as well as new policies and programs that engage partnering landowners across the state. 

For instance, the newly announced Open Space Conservation Grant Program—with an available $25 million for land conservation partners to protect and conserve open space—will contribute directly to 30x30. Thanks to funding provided by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, municipalities, not-for-profits, and Indian Nations or Tribes can apply for grants to purchase land for permanent conservation. 

In addition, DEC collaborates with the Land Trust Alliance to award grants through the New York State Conservation Partnership Program and Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts that will result in the conservation of nearly 20,000 acres once all projects are completed (2022 – 2025). 

Recent DEC acquisition accomplishments include:

• Acquiring multiple land parcels to create the Cowee State Forest in 2024. Additional acquisitions since then have brought the total number of acres for the state forest to 4,574 (2022 through 2025).
• Acquiring more than 1,200 acres to create the Blue Hill State Forest in Western New York (2024).
• Permanently protecting more than 14,600 acres through the Raquette River Recreational Access and Follensby Pond Research Preserve conservation easements (2024).
• Adding more than 900 acres to the Forest Preserve in the Catskill Mountains (2025).
• Acquired more than 3,300 acres along Spruce Creek in Herkimer County to add to the Forest Preserve and create a new state forest (2025). 

Recent OPRHP acquisition accomplishments include:

• Adding 946 acres to the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve (2022).
• Adding 179 acres to the Schunnemunk State Park (2022).
• Adding 763 acres to Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park (2024).
• Adding 79 acres to Saratoga Spa State Park (2026).
• Partnering with The Nature Conservancy to add 203 acres to Fillmore Glen State Park and protect 72 acres of forested wetlands in Venice (2024).
• Adding nearly 300 acres to Minnewaska State Park (2025).
• Assisting Rockland County with their acquisition of the 236-acre Eagle Valley Assemblage (2025). 

Open Space Institute President and CEO Erik Kulleseid said, “Conservation is critical to ensuring a healthy future for New York’s people, wildlife, and communities, and the 30x30 framework sets a clear pathway for science based progress. OSI applauds Governor Kathy Hochul, DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, and acting NYS Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser for their leadership in advancing methodology that will strategically maximize the state’s investments in protecting land and water while delivering real benefits for everyone across our state.” 

Help New York Achieve Our Goal: Submit Your Open Space Property to the Database

The 2025-26 enacted State Budget increased the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to a record $425 million, which included funding for the New York Natural Heritage Program to update and improve the New York Protected Areas Database (NYPAD). This spatial database is an essential resource for tracking 30x30’s permanently protected lands and a planning tool for State agencies, organizations, and individuals working to conserve New York’s lands and waters. If you are a land trust, municipality, or county that holds conserved open space (either land held in fee or a conservation easement), please check NYPAD’s interactive map to make sure your land is counted. If lands do not appear on the map, help us make it count by completing this short form. Sharing information on protected land can help us better track the progress of 30x30.