DEC Announces Fifth Round of Regenerate NY Forestry Cost Share Grants

 

$5 Million Available for Private Forest Landowners to Expand, Improve, and Restore Forests

Projects Support Governor Hochul’s 25 Million Trees by 2033 Initiative and New York State Climate Goals 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced that more than $5 million is now available through the fifth round of the Regenerate NY Forestry Cost Share Grant Program. This grant program provides financial assistance to private landowners establishing new forests, improving the health of existing forests, and restoring forests that are heavily impacted by factors such as deer browse, invasive pests, or fragmentation. The funding for this round is made possible by the State Environmental Protection Fund’s (EPF) Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Program, the Forest Landowners Support grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, and the Arbor Day Foundation. New trees planted as a result of funded projects will contribute to Governor Hochul’s 25 Million Trees Initiative. 

“Regenerate NY reflects commitments by Governor Kathy Hochul and DEC to protecting and strengthening New York’s forests for future generations,” said Commissioner Lefton. “Private landowners own approximately 75% of our state’s forestland, so it is essential that we support and invest in their ability to manage their forests sustainably. This round of funding will empower landowners to expand and restore their forests, support green jobs and local economies, and ensure these lands continue to provide clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, and resilient landscapes.”   

Private landowners may apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $1 million to conduct one or more of the following practices on their property:  

• 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 and to promote forest health or regrowth, 
• Removing competing or invasive vegetation, and  
• Installing tree protection to prevent deer browse of young tree seedlings.  

Eligible applicants include any individual, trust, corporate entity or other for-profit organization that owns between 5 and 2,500 acres of undeveloped land that is forested or can become forested through tree planting or associated practices to encourage forest regeneration. Not-for-profit organizations and Indian Nations or Tribes with 5 or more acres of undeveloped land are also eligible and are not subject to the 2,500-acre maximum requirement. Projects must be at least 5 acres and must be guided by a private forester or natural resource professional. There is no limit to the number of applications/bids that a landowner or organization may submit; however, they cannot be for the same land area. Projects must be completed by December 15, 2029.   

DEC Director of Lands and Forests and New York State Forester Fiona Watt said, “This grant opportunity offers a flexible toolkit for landowners to create new forest habitat on open land, and to nurture young and struggling forests to greater health and resilience. Regenerating New York’s private forests is a key pathway to supporting working lands, nature’s benefits, and addressing climate change.”  

Portions of the grant funds will be reserved until March 11, 2026, for priority applicants, including new forest landowners, active military service members and veterans, and State or federally recognized Tribes and Indian Nations. Funds will also be reserved for priority projects, including planting trees on a large scale or restoring forests significantly impacted by invasive pests or diseases. Any funds not awarded by that date will then be available to all eligible applicants.   

DEC will host a webinar on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to provide information and answer questions about this funding opportunity. Register for the webinar here.  

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, August 27, 2026, and must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System (SFS). Applicants must register for an SFS account before they can apply, and not-for-profits must also prequalify by the deadline or their application will not be evaluated. For more details about the grant opportunity, visit DEC’s website or email RegenNY@dec.ny.gov.  

Regenerate NY supports New York State’s 25 Million Trees Initiative, launched by Governor Hochul in 2024 to drive reforestation efforts and forest stewardship across the state. Trees planted through funded projects will be entered into the Initiative’s Tree Tracker to count toward the State’s goal. For more information about the 25 Million Trees Initiative, visit DEC’s website.  

Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address reaffirmed New York State’s commitment to environmental leadership with a record proposal of $425 million in funding for the EPF. This historic investment reinforces the State’s role as a national leader in conservation and environmental protection, helping preserve New York’s environment for generations to come.  

A $100,000 grant from the Arbor Day Foundation to the Natural Heritage Trust, the charitable partner for New York’s public lands and waters, for plant material associated with these projects will fund up to 20,000 tree seedlings. For more information about the Trust and donations, visit https://www.naturalheritagetrust.org/

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS NYSNA NURSES ON STRIKE AT PICKET LINES

This week, Senator Rivera stood in solidarity with nurses from the New York State Nurses Association at Montefiore Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital, who have been on strike since Monday.

When addressing the crowd, Senator Rivera expressed his admiration for the crucial work that nurses play in our healthcare system. Senator Rivera strongly agrees that our nurses deserve a dignified and fair contract and full implementation of the historic safe staffing laws of 2021, which NYSNA was instrumental in helping to pass.

Senator Rivera urges hospital management and our nurses to return to the negotiating table and deliver a fair contract for the sake of our patients.

Watch his remarks to the nurses on strike at Montefiore here.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS SENATE HEARING ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

This week, Senator Rivera joined Chair of the Senate Committee on Internet and Technology Kristen Gonzalez and other State Senate colleagues at a legislative hearing on regulating the high-risk uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in the private sector. During this hearing, lawmakers discussed potential risk factors, solutions, and best practices concerning AI use, including improving transparency.

Senator Rivera is currently a co-sponsor of Senator Gonzalez's bill S1169A, which will regulate the development and use of certain artificial intelligence systems by requiring audits of high-risk AI systems, granting enforcement authority to the state attorney general, and establishing the private right to action.

This week, Senator Rivera visited the Bronx School for Music (BSM) in his district. BSM is a nonprofit community-based music education program that educates a diverse group of students, the majority of whom come from low income and minority communities.

Thank you to BSM's President and Founder Philip Kwoka for the invitation!

SENATOR RIVERA'S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S STATE OF THE STATE

This week, Senator Rivera joined colleagues and New Yorkers from across the state in Albany to urge the passage of the New York For All Act (S.2235A), which would prohibit New York state and local agencies from cooperating with federal entities, such as ICE.

We cannot allow our State to be complicit in the trump administration’s lawless deportation squad that is kidnapping and murdering people. It's time to stand up and protect our neighbors!

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS 1199SEIU RALLY TO TO PROTECT NEW YORK'S HEALTHCARE

This week, Senator Rivera also joined members of 1199SEIU at a rally in Albany advocating for the state to protect New Yorkers' healthcare. Washington has stripped millions of Americans of healthcare so our State must step up and pass the New York Health Act to fix what’s completely broken.

Watch my remarks here.

This week, Senator Rivera sat with Katelyn Cordero from Politico to discuss Governor Kathy Hochul's 2026 State of the State Address as well as his priorities for this year's legislative session in Albany, which includes the New York Health Act, his bill to create a single payer healthcare in New York State.

“I don’t believe that, in this moment, we need to be conservative. I think the opposite is true,” Rivera said. “We need to be bold, and I think that relying on federal action as a sign of what the federal government will do going forward is not the best approach. I don’t trust that the federal government is going to do anything positive for us,” said Senator Gustavo Rivera.

ATTENTION PARENTS! APPLICATIONS TO 3-K AND PRE-K ARE NOW OPEN! 

Fall 2026 Admissions Timeline:    Wednesday, January 14, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Open  Friday, February 27, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Close  Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Pre-K Offer Release  Tuesday, May 19, 2026: 3-K Offer Release

NYS SENATE MAJORITY CONFERENCE: GRANTS UPDATE

NYC DYCD LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE FREE PASSPORTS AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

USBP Records Zero Releases for Eighth Consecutive Month

 

Both December and first fiscal quarter of 2026 show historic lows at the border 

 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released operational statistics today for December 2025 under President Donald Trump’s border security policies.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the dedication of DHS law enforcement, America’s borders are safer than any time in our nation’s history. What President Trump and our CBP agents and officers have been able to do in a single year is nothing short of extraordinary,” said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “Once again, we have a record low number of encounters at the border and the 8th straight month of zero releases. Month after month, we are delivering results that were once thought impossible: the most secure border in history and unmatched enforcement successes.”

“Our agents and officers have set a new standard for border security, achieving historic results that speak for themselves,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. “The men and women of CBP are demonstrating what’s possible through unwavering commitment and effective enforcement and will continue to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s borders every single day.”

Below is a snapshot of December’s key figures. Full monthly reporting can be viewed on CBP’s Stats and Summaries webpage.

Border Enforcement at Historic Levels

CBP recorded its lowest encounter totals ever to start a fiscal year:

• 91,603 total encounters nationwide in October, November, December – lower than any prior fiscal year to date. This is 25% lower than the previous low of 121,469 in FY2012.
• US Border Patrol recorded the lowest number of apprehensions along the southwest border ever in the first quarter of a fiscal year (21,815 in FY2026), which was 95% lower than the first quarter average under the Biden administration.

Illegal crossings in December remained historically low:

• 30,698 total encounters nationwide in December — 92% below the peak of the Biden administration’s 370,883, and the lowest encounters ever for a month of December.
• 6,478 Border Patrol apprehensions on the southwest border in December — 96% lower than the monthly average of the Biden administration, and less than what was apprehended in 4 days in December 2024.
• 209 USBP apprehensions per day on the southwest border in December — 96% lower than the daily average under the Biden administration, and less than the number apprehended every 1.5 hours under the Biden administration.
• Zero parole releases — compared to 7,041 released by the Border Patrol under the Biden administration along the southwest border in December 2024.

Visit for more encounter statistics.

Drug Interdictions That Save Lives

As the nation’s border security agency, CBP is on the frontline against foreign terrorist organizations that threaten the safety and well-being of Americans. CBP is uniquely positioned to detect, identify, and seize illicit drugs like fentanyl before they enter our communities.

Nationwide in December, CBP seized 39,030 pounds of illicit drugs, including the following seizure totals:

• Fentanyl seizures: 865 pounds
• Methamphetamine seizures: 12,833 pounds
• Cocaine seizures: 3,793 pounds
• Heroin seizures: 164 pounds
• Marijuana seizures: 14,445 pounds

Additional CBP drug seizure statistics can be found on the Drug Seizure Statistics webpage.

Tariff Enforcement & Economic Security

CBP plays a central role in executing the President’s tariff policy as trade enforcement and revenue collection authorities. This has included the implementation of 42 presidential tariff actions directed by the Trump administration. In December 2025 alone, CBP:

• Processed $314 billion in imports
• Identified $28.4 billion in duties owed

From Jan. 20 through Dec. 31, CBP collected:

• $297 billion from all tariffs, taxes, and fees

Through audits, targeting, and frontline import reviews, CBP is enforcing trade law and safeguarding America’s economic sovereignty.

Visit CBP’s tariff implementation page for more.

High-Ranking Sinaloa Cartel Member Extradited from Mexico to Atlanta to Face Cocaine Trafficking Charges

 

Following his extradition from Mexico to the United States, Roberto Najera Gutierrez, also known as “Kunfu Panda” and “La Gallina,” pleaded not guilty in the Northern District of Georgia to a federal charge of conspiring to manufacture and distribute cocaine that he knew would be imported into the United States.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and our brave DEA agents, the cartels are no longer free to import poison into our communities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We appreciate the work of our Office of International Affairs which secured the extradition of this alleged narco-terrorist and our attorneys in the Northern District of Georgia will ensure he’s met with swift justice in the United States.”

“As a senior member of the brutal Sinaloa Cartel, Najera Gutierrez is allegedly responsible for distributing massive amounts of cocaine from South America and through Mexico that were intended to poison communities in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg for the Northern District of Georgia. “This federal indictment, as well as the recent arraignment in Atlanta of alleged Sinaloa Cartel trafficker Zhi Dong Zhang, demonstrates the global reach of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and underscores that narco-terrorists abroad will ultimately face justice in American courtrooms.”

“This indictment is part of a multi-agency collaboration dedicated to dismantling transnational criminal organizations responsible for drug trafficking and violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Jae W. Chung of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Through sustained cooperation, we are holding cartel leaders accountable and reducing the harm they cause to our communities.”

“IRS-CI is proud to stand alongside our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks responsible for trafficking massive amounts of cocaine and other illegal drugs into the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Atlanta Field Office.

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: In 2013, DEA agents began an investigation of drug traffickers working with the Sinaloa Cartel to transport cocaine from South America to Mexico for importation into the United States, including into the Northern District of Georgia. The Sinaloa Cartel is a transnational criminal group based in Mexico. On Feb. 20, 2025, the Sinaloa Cartel was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

As part of the investigation, agents identified Roberto Najera Gutierrez as a then-high-ranking member of the cartel who allegedly led and coordinated the transportation of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine by boat from Colombia and Ecuador to Honduras and Guatemala. Once the drugs were in Central America, they were smuggled across the Guatemalan border into Mexico. Najera Gutierrez allegedly distributed that cocaine to other high-level drug traffickers in Mexico who imported the cocaine into Atlanta, Chicago, and the states of Florida, New York, and California. Najera Gutierrez also allegedly coordinated the collection and remission of drug proceeds through bank accounts.

Roberto Najera Gutierrez, 48, of Tizimín, Yucatán, Mexico, is in federal custody. The recently unsealed indictment against Najera Gutierrez was returned in March 2018. In October 2023, Najera Gutierrez was served with a warrant pursuant to the U.S. request for his extradition. On Jan. 8, 2026, he was extradited from Mexico and surrendered to the United States.       

This case is being investigated by the DEA and IRS-CI. The U.S. Marshals Service assisted in transporting Najera Gutierrez from Mexico to appear before the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Georgia.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel Milam and Jonell L. Lucca for the Northern District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.

The Justice Department Criminal Division’s Office of Enforcement Operations assisted in the investigation, and the Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and Jan. 8 extradition from Mexico of Najera Gutierrez.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

These prosecutions are also part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

New York State Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Public Lands Partner Organizations Awarded $2.25 Million in Grants

 

Highest Private and Public Funding Allocation for the Program's 10^th Anniversary

Builds on Governor Hochul's efforts to encourage New Yorkers to “Get Offline, Get Outside”

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announces $2.25 million in grants to 27 not-for-profit organizations to support the stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands. Park and Trail Partnership Grants (PTPG) help partner organizations leverage private funds to support capital projects, engage in maintenance and beautification, provide educational programming, and host special events that promote public use of the parks.

“This innovative grant program helps enhance the incredible work done at the grassroots level by the partner organizations that help look after our state parks, historic sites, trails and public lands,” New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser said. “I am grateful to Governor Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ initiative that supports this vital partnership with Parks & Trails New York and our many statewide partners, friends’ groups, and volunteers. This collective effort helps ensure the continued success of our parks and historic sites. I look forward to seeing how this investment expands access and strengthens connections to New York State’s extraordinary natural and historic resources.”

The Park and Trail Partnership Grants program is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and 2026 marks its 10th anniversary. Grants are administered in partnership with the not-for-profit advocacy group Parks & Trails New York. Recipients must raise outside funding for a match of at least 10 percent of the grant amount received.

This new round totals the highest amount awarded in the program’s history and will leverage over $800,000 in private funds. Since the first round, awarded in the spring of 2016, over 90 organizations have received more than $10 million to aid in their missions to steward, promote, and enhance New York’s diverse state parks, historic sites, and public lands. The program has supported 272 remarkable projects including 27 career-building, permanent positions that exist because this funding made them possible.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Governor Hochul recognizes the value of partnerships in protecting and enhancing New York's unique lands and accessible outdoor recreation areas. These Park and Trail Partnership Grant recipients and the many other volunteer-driven organizations working in our communities are amplifying conservation and education efforts that are crucial to providing New Yorkers with opportunities to get outdoors and connect with nature.”

The following projects have been awarded Park and Trail Partnership Grants:

NORTH COUNTRY

Adirondack Architectural Heritage ($28,825) for the completion of a Cultural Landscape Report for the Great Camp Santanoni Historic Area.

Adirondack Mountain Club ($80,000) for an Interpretive Facilities Educator position that will engage visitors in safety and rescue prevention conversations, communicate rules and regulations for recreation on state lands, and support ADK's overarching mission.

Cranberry Lake Mountaineers Snowmobile Club, INC ($143,500) to purchase equipment to make their network of trails safer and more accessible for various recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, primitive camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding.

John Brown Lives! ($77,550) to hire a Director of Development and Communications to lead a sustainable fundraising strategy that secures long-term growth and will strengthen capacity to support the John Brown Farm State Historic Site and ensure its continued use as a vital site of conscience and human rights destination.

Friends of Higley Flow State Park ($40,389) to purchase a tracked UTV and a grooming drag implement to improve conditions for classic and freestyle cross-country skiing and snowshoeing recreation on the trail network at the park.

Winona Forest Recreation Association ($23,549) to provide a dynamic outdoor classroom designed to enhance learning with interactive stations.

WESTERN NEW YORK

Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System, Inc. ($206,975) to provide environmentally friendly, sustainable trail rehabilitation to protect the wetland habitats of local species and diversify users in North Harmony State Forest.

IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails, Inc. ($28,800) to hire an Administrative Coordinator as the first paid staff person to provide critical logistical support, allowing the organization to grow beyond what is possible for an all-volunteer organization.

Friends of Knox Farm ($151,205) for the reconstruction of the historic stable’s roof and cupola and refurbishment of the adjoining concrete pad that is essential to preserving the building’s architectural integrity, ensuring public safety, and enabling continued educational and cultural programming.

MID-HUDSON

Bannerman Castle Trust ($27,450) to connect the historic "Red Trail" to "The Grotto" to the "Wee Bay" facilitating access for all visitors, especially those who are mobility impaired.

Calvert Vaux Preservation Alliance ($19,800) to hire temporary staff to support ongoing capacity building work by hosting a series of public tours and talks to increase visibility and engagement with Vaux’s work and The Point.

Catskill Center ($31,033) to improve accessibility and the visitor experience at the Catskills Visitor Center by replacing damaged and out-of-date signage, installing an informational kiosk and interpretive signage along the trail systems, and placing Adirondack chairs for visitors to utilize the space outside of regular hours.

Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands ($77,950) to preserve and restore an historic 1874 one-room schoolhouse for transformation into an interpretative Visitor Center, providing a window into late 19th to early 20th century way of life.

Friends of John Jay Homestead ($36,868) to enhance the fundraising and development capacity of the Friends in preparation for its 2028 reopening by overhauling its strategies and modernizing donor systems.

Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association ($263,132) to construct an ADA-compliant boardwalk along an environmentally sensitive section of trail that is part of the eventual 46-mile regional rail trail system.

Walkway Over the Hudson ($62,350) to design a system of interpretive and wayfinding signage to replace outdated, degraded signs that will enhance the visitor experience by improving accessibility, supporting inclusive storytelling, and encouraging learning through a holistic signage plan grounded in universal design principles.

FINGER LAKES

Friends of Hamlin Beach State Park ($135,000) for phase 2 facility upgrades of the interior to a unique and historic hexagon building to provide a multi-use gathering space that will meet the needs of the Friends and Parks programming staff.

Friends of Letchworth State Park ($91,535) to preserve the Council House and Nancy Jemison Cabin at the Council Grounds by procuring and facilitating the installation of historically correct roofing and creation of a brochure to better share the history of the Council Grounds area.

LONG ISLAND

Caumsett Foundation, Inc. ($100,000) to restore the historic Fresh Pond Trail following a 2022 erosion study. The project aims to redirect damaging foot traffic from fragile hillsides onto the repaired historic trail, using stepped walkways, drainage systems, and an accessible path.

Friends of Orient Beach Inc. ($18,000) for capacity building of the organization including strategic planning, board recruitment and development, fundraising, branding and marketing, communications, community outreach and awareness, membership, and mission focused programs.

Planting Fields Foundation ($69,913) for a Service-Learning Corps that will engage three cohorts of young adults in mission-critical projects pairing hands-on stewardship with structured learning, strengthening participants’ skills and sense of belonging while delivering visible public benefits at Planting Fields and cultivating future civic leaders.

NEW YORK CITY

Friends of Gantry Plaza State Park ($9,357) to purchase additional tables and umbrellas to expand seating to address increased need.

CAPITAL DISTRICT

Friends of Clermont ($111,027) for programming and accessibility upgrades to the Visitor Services Area.

Friends of Five Rivers ($140,000) to hire an Advancement Officer to cultivate strong donor connections and leverage customer relations management to ensure the long-term sustainability and expanded impact of the vital environmental education programs, professionalize fundraising efforts, diversify revenue streams, and secure the financial health needed to meet increasing community demand.

Friends of Moreau State Park ($55,491) to enhance an accessible and inclusive trail by installing signs with printed/raised text and Braille, tactile elements for images of the respective subjects, and audio descriptions of their content to educate and inform people of all abilities about the park’s woods and lake.

Friends of Thacher Park ($190,000) to transform the interior exhibits at the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center after 25 years of programming and public engagement. The proposed upgrades will introduce educational innovation and enhanced accessibility to galvanize increased participation and reach broader audiences.

Wilton Wildlife Preserve ($31,900) to expand environmental education opportunities to the community through an internship program that hires, trains, and mentors emerging professionals from traditionally underserved constituencies.

The grant program builds on Governor Hochul's efforts to encourage affordable outdoor recreation. The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget provided the funding for this round of the Park and Trail Partnership Grants program, as part of a record $425 million Environmental Protection Fund to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improve agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protect our water sources, advance conservation efforts, and provide recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. The Governor's new Unplug and Play initiative also earmarked $100 million for construction and renovation of community centers through the Build Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS), $67.5 million for the Places for Learning, Activity and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) initiative helping New York communities construct new playgrounds and renovate existing playgrounds; and an additional $90 million for the continuation of the NY SWIMS initiative.  

Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide advocate for New York's parks and trails, working with grassroots groups for over 40 years to strengthen public-private partnerships and improve New Yorker's health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. For more information, visit www.ptny.org.