Open Space

On This Page:

• Importance of Conserving Forests and Open Space
• Land Conservation Grant Opportunities
• New York State Open Space Conservation Plan
• 30x30: Conserving 30% of New York State’s Lands and Waters by 2030
• Conservation Easements
• Recent Land Acquisitions
• Smart Growth
• Open Space Conservation License Plate

Importance of Conserving Forests and Open Space

Open space is simply land or water that is undeveloped (free from residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional use). Open space can be either private or publicly owned and includes areas such as forests, agricultural field, public parks and preserves, and coastal lands. These spaces can be as small as a vacant lot or as large as the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve.

Open spaces provide benefits to New York State's economy, culture, environment, and our population's general well-being by providing:

• Resilience against natural hazards, such as flooding, and protection of water supplies;
• Scenic beauty, cultural value and historic significance;
• Production of food and forest products;
• Outdoor recreation, public access, and ecotourism;
• Protection or restoration of ecological functions; and
• Wildlife diversity and habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species.

New York State Open Space Conservation Plan

The Open Space Conservation Plan (Plan) is a comprehensive statewide plan developed by DEC and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation that describes current open space conservation goals, actions, tools, resources and programs administered by state and federal agencies and conservation nonprofits.

Conserving 30% of New York State's Lands and Waters by 2030

 In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation which sets forth New York’s commitment to conserve 30% of New York’s lands and waters by 2030 in collaboration with a broad group of partners and stakeholders. DEC and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation have developed strategies to support this effort.

Conservation Easements

Conservation easements are an important open space conservation tool that protect natural and/or cultural resources and limit future development on private property. Most conservation easements allow some form of public recreation, and many allow landowners to practice sustainable forestry on their property. 

Recent Land Acquisitions

In accordance with the State Open Space Conservation Plan, DEC and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation report land and conservation easement acquisitions utilizing funding from multiple sources such as the Environmental Protection Fund, the Natural Resources Damage Fund, Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, Court of Claims, Pittman-Robertson Act Funds and Federal Forest Legacy Funds.

Smart Growth

Smart growth is an approach to land use that redirects economic growth away from undeveloped areas and back into established communities. It uses economic development and job creation to enhance the quality-of-life of a community, while preserving its natural and working environments. Smart growth encourages communities that are full of activity, diversity and character. Achieving this vision requires a combination of community planning activity, land use regulations, government grants and incentives, and individual actions to work toward improved communities and quality of life.

DEC manages the Smart Growth Grant program within the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

Open Space Conservation License Plate

Order New York's first conservation license plate and help complete urgent land conservation projects that provide recreational enjoyment for people, necessary habitat for plants and animals, and economic benefit for businesses and communities.

When you buy your Bluebird Environmental plate, $25 goes directly into the State's Environmental Protection Fund, dedicated for conservation projects identified in New York's Open Space Conservation Plan. The Bluebird Environmental plate is designed exclusively for New York by world-renowned artist and naturalist, Roger Tory Peterson, and is made from recycled aluminum.