Forty-four Forest Projects Receive Funding To Plant Trees And Strengthen Wood Markets

October 29, 2026, grants for 44 projects across New York State were awarded, totalling $45 million from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, according to Commissioner Amanda Lefton.

Supporting NYS Tree Nursery and Forest Product Markets

These projects will help to promote forest resilience and climate mitigation through sustainable forest management and reforestation, contributing to New York State's goal of planting 25 million trees. According to the announcement, the grants will help businesses expand tree seedling and forest product capacity, production, and markets.

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At a time when the forest products sector faces significant economic pressures, these grants provide a welcome investment in New York State’s forest-based economy. This funding will strengthen markets for low-grade and locally sourced wood, expand processing capacity, and improve the efficiency and competitiveness of forest product businesses across the state. By helping businesses put more of the wood harvested in our forests to productive use, these investments will create jobs, support rural economies, and keep working forests economically viable. - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton

Funding of these statewide projects:

• Creates new green jobs
• Field-based training across the various stages of the reforestation and forest product sectors
• Provides critical resources to tree nurseries, seed collection, and reforestation operations

Who Gets These Grants?

Grants have been awarded to several organizations throughout 10 regions in New York State, including the Southern Tier and Central New York, according to the NYS DEC:

Broome County - 
AMRO United Corp, $651,480

Tioga County - 
ArcheWild LLC, $2,912,725
Understory Conservation Nursery LLC, $150,780

Tompkins County - 
Khuba International, $436,500
Permaculture Berkshire LLC, $251,000

Cayuga County -
Brookside Lumber, $1,540,000

Cortland County -
Gutchess Lumber Co. LLC, $665,000

For more detailed information and to learn how to contribute to the 25 Million Trees Initiative, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.