NYS DEC Announces Funding For Local Environmental Projects

Earth Week for 2026 began on April 19th and runs through April 25th. Earth Day is today, Wednesday, April 22nd.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is celebrating Earth Week as well, and announced on April 21st, Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants totaling approximately $6 million earmarked for 32 New York State community-based organizations to help improve the well-being of those most vulnerable to climate and pollution impacts.

NYS DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton noted that these grants support projects addressing environmental issues, harms, and health hazards, build community consensus, set priorities, and improve public outreach and education.

For two decades, DEC’s Environmental Justice grant programs have delivered real outcomes in support of a healthier, more sustainable future for people all across New York.  The awards we are announcing today, through Governor Hochul leadership, support organizations that are working tirelessly to lift up their communities and advance an environmental justice. We look forward to many more years of providing necessary resources to grantees and their partners to improve environmental outcomes across the state. - NYS DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton

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Also announced on April 21st - $7 million in new funding is available for qualifying applicants to build upon the progress being made to create a healthier, more equitable future.

The 32 projects are coming from eight areas in New York State, including the Southern Tier, Central New York, the Finger Lakes region, Western New York, the Capitol District, Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.

Southern Tier Region

Volunteers Improving Neighborhood - $200,000
Constructing two new community gardens in Greater Binghamton, maintaining and expanding existing community gardens, addressing lead soil in home gardening for New Americans, and boosting educational programming for healthier communities.

Center for Community Transportation Inc. - $196,908
The Center for Community Transportation - Ithaca Carshare, Bikeshare & BikeWalk Tompkins -  in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension, is researching how micro-mobility and multi-modal transit options benefit public health in Tompkins County.

Central New York

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland - $200,000.
Blocks in Bloom will plant front yard flower, pollinator, and/or vegetable gardens on 20 Cortland downtown blocks to reduce heat, improve soil health, boost pollinators, and strengthen community bonds.

For more information about this and other NYS DEC news, visit DEC’s website.