DEC ANNOUNCES $1.25 MILLION IN FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY COMMUNITIES
Grants Support Resiliency Planning and Adaptation to Climate Risk in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed
Additional Funding for Improvements to Estuary Health, Recreational Access, and Environmental Education
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the availability of $1.25 million in grants for projects to help communities within the Hudson River Estuary watershed plan for and adapt to climate change, advance conservation and stewardship, restore habitat, improve recreational river access, and expand educational programming. The funding is announced during Climate Week and National Estuaries Week, an annual celebration to promote the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them.
“During Climate Week, New York recognizes the impact Governor Kathy Hochul’s record investments in local conservation efforts are making in improving our state’s resiliency to climate change,” Commissioner Lefton said. “Healthy estuaries play a crucial role and the $1.25 million available now through the Hudson River Estuary Grants program will help Hudson River communities further adapt to climate risk and implement projects that restore and protect estuary ecosystems.”
Four Requests for Applications (RFAs) are available: Tributary Restoration and Resilience, Local Stewardship Planning, River Education, and River Access. All projects must align with goals in the 2026–2030 Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda.
$350,000 for Local Stewardship Planning
Approximately $350,000 is available to help local organizations and communities prepare plans, studies, and policies, and engage the public in climate adaptation, conservation, and tributary stewardship in the estuary watershed. Eligible projects include:
- Climate adaptation and resilience planning and actions to adapt to climate risks
- Planning for conservation of habitats and contiguous natural areas
- Watershed-based stewardship and planning for Hudson River estuary tributaries
The minimum grant award for Local Stewardship Planning is $10,500 and the maximum is $50,000.
$400,000 for Tributary Restoration and Resiliency
Approximately $400,000 is available for projects to support restoration of free-flowing tributaries to conserve and restore habitat, improve water quality, and address localized flooding. Eligible projects include:
- Dam removal construction
- Dam removal engineering and design
-
Dam removal initial reconnaissance and risk assessment
- Stream crossing replacement
- Stream crossing design
- Stream crossing design and replacement
Projects that benefit river herring and American eel and are in closest sequential proximity to tidal waters are priorities. The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum is $200,000.
$250,000 for River Education
Approximately $250,000 is available for projects to enhance education about the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed and make learning opportunities more accessible for a wide range of people. Eligible projects include:
- Locally-based facilities for learning about the Hudson River Estuary
- Education programs and resources about the Hudson River Estuary
- Educator professional development or curriculum development
- Intensive environmental science research programs for young adults
The minimum grant award for River Education is $20,000, and the maximum grant amount is $100,000.
$250,000 for River Access
Approximately $250,000 is available for projects to improve resiliency to flooding and sea-level rise and improve accessibility to the Hudson River Estuary and its tidal tributaries. Eligible projects include:
- Access site improvements for swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities
- Access site resiliency to flooding and sea level rise
The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum grant amount is $100,000.
Webinars about project eligibility and the application process will be held on October 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Register for the webinars on the Hudson River Estuary Program’s Grants and Funding Opportunities webpage. The webinars will be recorded and will be available to view on DEC’s website. Applications are due on December 17, 2026.
Now in its 23rd year, DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in DEC's 2026–2030 Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda. To date, the Hudson River Estuary Program has awarded more than 680 grants totaling more than $31.7 million.
Funding for DEC’s Estuary Grants program is provided by New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a critical resource for environmental programs, such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. The FY 2026–27 New York State Budget includes an increase of the Environmental Protection Fund to a record $450 million to support measures to adapt and mitigate climate impacts.
###
|
