New York getting closer to stated goal of conserving 30% of its lands and waters

Albany — New York State’s commitment to conserving 30% of its lands and waters by 2030 is getting closer to fruition.

With the recent release of the final 30×30 Strategies and Methodology, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) said to date more than 23% of New York State’s lands and waters are conserved. 

Since 2022, DEC and OPRHP have been making substantial gains toward the 30×30 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.

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 in the Adirondacks (2024);

• Adding more than 900 acres to the Forest Preserve in the Catskill Mountains (2025);

• Acquiring more than 3,300 acres along Spruce Creek in Herkimer County to add to the Adirondack Forest Preserve and create a new state forest (2025).

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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).

The 30×30 Strategies and Methodology 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.

Gov. 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 and OPRHP released a draft of the 30×30 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. A summary of the public comments and a responsiveness summary can be found on DEC’s website.

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).

“Conserving New York’s lands and waters is a priority,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “The final 30×30 guidance document provides a clear, credible, and measurable path forward – one that recognizes the urgency of conservation while valuing collaboration, equity, and sound science.”