By Blake Jackson
New York State is investing $45 million in 44 projects to strengthen tree nurseries, forest businesses, and reforestation efforts. The funding supports sustainable forest management, increases native tree production, creates green jobs, and helps advance the state's goal of planting 25 million trees.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the funding through the Advancing Forest Markets (AFM) grant initiative. The program supports businesses and organizations working to improve tree seed collection, seedling production, timber processing, and forest product markets.
The grants also aim to make native trees more affordable and increase the use of locally sourced wood. These efforts help strengthen rural economies, improve forest health, and support climate change protection.
Commissioner Lefton said, “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.”
Supporting Tree Nurseries and Reforestation
The projects are expected to strengthen the state's tree supply chain over the next year. Grant recipients plan to collect more than 5 million native tree seeds and grow over 1 million locally adapted seedlings. They will distribute nearly 500,000 seeds and 310,000 seedlings for reforestation projects.
More than 250 seed collectors, nurseries, and forestry professionals will develop partnerships to improve supply chain operations, reduce seedling waste, and increase tree survival.
The projects will also create more than 56 full-time green jobs and over 30 paid internships and apprenticeships. Educational programs, workshops, and training materials will help more than 400 students, landowners, and professionals learn about reforestation.
Other activities include improving seed collection guidelines, protecting native species that are culturally important to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, and developing technology to track seeds and seedlings.
Strengthening Forest Product Businesses
The funding also supports New York's forest product industry. Projects will create 24 additional green jobs and provide field training to nearly 100 forestry professionals.
Businesses will increase their ability to process an additional 1,000 truckloads of low-grade timber. They will also recover more than 24 truckloads of wood from removed street trees and reclaimed buildings that might otherwise go to landfills.
The projects will increase timber purchasing capacity by more than 400 truckloads and provide education and technical support to over 175 family forest landowners. They will also develop more than 50 sustainable forest management plans and expand forest inventory and planning across over 80,000 additional acres of private forestland.
New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Economic market initiatives like the Advancing Forest Markets grants are vital to promoting economic growth and industrial market development. These grants will bolster production within the forest product and nursery supply chains and enhance capacity in these industries into the future.”
Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York State’s working forests and tree nurseries are a critical part of our rural and agricultural economies. I commend the Governor and our partners at DEC for advancing this program, which will provide much-needed support to these markets in a time of uncertainty, while promoting sustainable forest stewardship and protecting this treasured resource for generations to come.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York’s forest products industry supports businesses, jobs and rural economies across the state. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, these investments will help companies expand production, strengthen supply chains and open new markets for New York-grown products, creating new economic opportunities.”
Empire State Forest Products Association Executive Director Courtney Johnson Woods said, “New York’s forest products industry contributes $15.1 billion in economic output for New York State through the manufacturing sector and is vital for the health and sustainability of our forests and our rural communities. The Advancing Forest Markets Program will drive innovation in the forest products industry at a critical time and serves as a potential model for long-term investment and partnerships in market development and acceleration.”
The Nature Conservancy New York Director of Natural Climate Solutions Dr. Michelle Brown said, “Through investments in sustainable forestry and conservation, New York can create jobs, support innovation and economic development—and advance the state’s climate goals. These grant awards will help strengthen New York’s nursery and seedling supply chain, building the capacity needed to produce the trees that will support key reforestation projects and healthy forests.”
Projects Across New York State
The 44 projects cover several regions and counties:
Capital District: Albany County supports the Home Earth Alliance ($973,189) and the National Audubon Society ($272,933). Columbia County supports Native Wild Restoration Farms LLC ($568,720). Warren County includes Lyme Adirondack Forest Company LLC ($5,080,250), while Washington County supports Breadtree Farms LLC ($647,000).
Central New York: Cayuga County includes Brookside Lumber ($1,540,000). Cortland County supports Gutchess Lumber Co. LLC ($665,000). Madison County includes Forest Integrity Timber Services LLC ($211,150) and SUNY Morrisville ($447,500). Onondaga County supports Limeledge Botanical Garden and Arboretum ($1,323,000), Slate Hill Edible Forest ($223,000), and Syracuse University ($692,668).
Finger Lakes: Livingston County includes Matthew Weir ($1,850,000). Monroe County supports Woodwise Forestry LLC ($847,724), while Ontario County includes Hickory Hill Farms ($509,860).
Long Island: Nassau County supports Sound Designs New York Inc. ($260,000). Suffolk County includes Landscaping by Country Garden Inc. ($3,828,450).
Mid-Hudson: Westchester County supports Plan It Wild LLC ($768,099) and PM Excellence LLC ($1,990,000).
Mohawk Valley: Herkimer County includes Van Slyke House ($340,056). Montgomery County supports Willow Water LLC ($229,000). Oneida County includes B&B RE LLC ($7,678,661), while Schoharie County supports CDS Firewood and Logging LLC ($199,500).
New York City: Kings County includes Tri-Lox Millworks LLC ($1,600,287). Richmond County supports New York City Parks ($1,605,304).
North Country: Clinton County includes KS Nursery ($250,000), Mace Chasm Farm ($105,000), and Weathered Tree LLC ($236,000). Essex County supports Ausable Freshwater Center ($2,000,036), while Franklin County includes Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe ($382,737).
Southern Tier: Broome County supports AMRO United Corp ($651,480). Tioga County includes ArcheWild LLC ($2,912,725) and Understory Conservation Nursery LLC ($150,780). Tompkins County supports Khuba International ($436,500) and Permaculture Berkshire LLC ($251,000).
Western New York: Chautauqua County includes Native Forest Nursery ($1,797,000) and Southern Tier Seed and Tree LLC ($442,600). Erie County supports Allison Lynne Sagraves ($336,000) and Primeval Forest LLC ($271,330). Niagara County includes Swiftwater Organic Farmstand & Reserve ($196,732).
Advancing the 25 million Trees Goal
Governor Kathy Hochul launched the 25 million Trees Initiative to recognize the importance of forests in reducing climate change impacts, limiting extreme heat, and helping communities become more resilient.
New York residents can support this goal by planting trees and recording their contributions through DEC's Tree Tracker. The initiative encourages individuals and communities to take part in expanding tree cover across the state.
Through these grants, New York aims to strengthen its nursery and forestry industries, improve access to native trees, support rural businesses, and build healthier forests for future generations.
The funding is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under agreement number NR233A750004G035.
Photo Credit: istock-pyzata
Categories: New York, Government & Policy