$150K awarded for Long Island conservation efforts

Three Long Island organizations were awarded state grants for projects that protect water quality and farmland, boost public access for outdoor recreation and conserve open space.

The $150,000 in grants for Long Island are part of $2.2 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants for 50 nonprofit land trusts across the state. The program is administered by the Land Trust Alliance  in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The Peconic Land Trust received $44,000 for property transactions and $34,500 for stewardship and resource management; the North Shore Land Alliance was awarded $40,000 for stewardship and resource management; and the Henry L. Ferguson Museum on Fishers Island got a catalyst grant of $32,000.

Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization working to strengthen land conservation across America. The group represents 1,000-member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide.