Regenerate NY is a cost share program offered by the DEC with an aim to improve native regeneration and forest resilience in New York forests. The funding helps to implement a wide range of management practices for your woodlot.
REGENERATE NY
Regenerate NY is a cost share program offered to landowners in New York State by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The goal of the program is to improve the quality of New York forests by improving native regeneration and forest resiliency. Funding requirements may change from year to year, so it is important to read through the Request for Applications (RFA) on the DEC application when planning your project. The last funding round provided funding to landowners for the management activities of tree planting, regeneration silviculture/early successional habitat, forest health resiliency thinning, competing vegetation control, and deer exclosures. Landowners should work with a consulting forester when applying, as they will be able to help with the required Practice Plan, Budget, and Herbicide Application Plan (if needed). This program can be used to help implement practices outlined in 480a work schedules.
In the last round of funding, $5,080,000 was allocated for landowners applying for Regenerate NY. Applications for this program typically open every March, depending on funding availability. The open application period is very short, as once a certain amount of applications are received, the application period ends for the year. It is important to submit applications as quickly as possible. The minimum project acreage is 5 acres. Planned projects can be for up to 4 years in total to give more flexibility to landowners. It is important to note that there is a match requirement from the landowner. The landowner must contribute 10% of the total project funding, while Regenerate NY provides 90% of funding. For example, for a $55,000 project, the landowner would be responsible for $5,000 and would receive grant funding for $50,000. The landowner can reduce their own contribution percentage by offering an “in-kind” contribution. This is where the landowner does some of the work associated with the project themselves and receives a benefit for their labor.
This grant program is an excellent option for landowners who own forested or are interested in reforesting their property, although it is a fairly competitive program. A similar cost share program is offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service called Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The Watershed Agricultural Council also offers a similar program called the Management Assistance Program (MAP) for landowners whose property is located within the NYC watershed. Since these projects do have some differences between them, it is important to take the time to learn about these programs to see which is the best fit for you and your project. Consulting foresters can be a great resource to help you decide on the best cost share program to work with.
While Watershed Agricultural Council’s MAP program is very similar to Regenerate NY, it can only be offered within the NYC watershed. This makes Regenerate NY an especially great choice for landowners living outside the NYC watershed. Regenerate NY also has the potential to assist with finishing very large projects that may involve one or more contractors, within just a couple of years. This is because the grant has a maximum project funding of $1,000,000.
The resources below can be used to learn more about these cost share programs.
Regenerate New York Forestry Cost Share Grant Program (DEC)
