New York State Policy Program
The Land Trust Alliance's New York State Policy Program strives to advance policies at the state level that support the common efforts and conservation goals of New York's land trust community. With the assistance of the New York Advisory Board, the Land Trust Alliance works to build relationships with key partners in Albany, broadening political support for state level conservation initiatives ensuring that NY's 90 land trusts have a consistent, steady voice at the state capitol. Land Trust Alliance and our partners also work to maintain funding for land trusts through the New York State Conservation Partnership Program, which is supported by the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and administered by the Land Trust Alliance in coordination with the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
New: Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC's)
On Thursday, September 15th at 10:00 am, Land Trust Alliance staff and members of our New York Advisory Board will hold a special conference call to brief land trusts on Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils. A number of the Councils have already scheduled public hearings (www.nyworks.ny.gov). We strongly encourage land trust leaders and their community partners to participate in these sessions, to learn more about the Councils and to highlight the positive impact that land conservation and local land trusts have on jobs and New York’s economy.
2011 New York State Policy Updates
Video: Legislative Report with NY Senator Mark Grisanti
Interview with Megan Mills Hoffman of Western New York Land Conservancy and New York Senator Mark Grisanti, who chairs the state senate environmental conservation committee. The video was featured on the Senator's YouTube series, and provides an excellent example of how to use new media to reach potential donors and thank your elected official for their support.
March 14, 2011: Public-Private Partnerships to Boost Local Land--Conservation Communities Across New York State to Benefit
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance (the Alliance) joined members of the state Legislature and land trust representatives today to announce $1.4 million in Conservation Partnership Program grants. The grants, funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), will enable local nonprofit land trusts to increase the pace, improve the quality, and ensure the permanence of voluntary conservation of private lands, resulting in significant environmental and economic benefits for communities across the state.
2011-12 Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Budget Detail
2011-12 Land Trust Alliance Budget Testimony
New York Policy Archive
Environmental Protection Fund (EPF)
Environmental Protection Fund Overview (From the Friends of New York's Environmental coalition)
January 19, 2011: (Albany Times Union) Loggers, tree-huggers unite: Timber interests join greens in support of more money in Environmental Protection Fund
November 3, 2010: Groups Congratulate Gov-Elect Cuomo, Send 1st Green Assignment: Rebuild NY's Environmental Agencies & Restore Funding
November 2010: Friends of NY's Environment Letter to Governor Elect Cuomo
October 30, 2010: Cuomo Announces Comprehensive Agenda to Address the Long Term Needs of New York State's Environment
Farmland Protection
November 2010: New York Farm and Food Alliance Letter to Governor Elect Andrew Cuomo
October 2010: Bet on the Farm: Farmland Protection as a Strategy for Economic Growth and Renewal (Office of the State Comptroller--OSC)
September 2010: New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Farming in New York State
February 2010 Report, The Role of Agriculture in the New York State Economy (OSC)
Economic Benefits of Land Conservation
March 2010 Open Space Benefits Report and Press Release (OSC)
2010: The Economic Benefits and Fiscal Impact of Parks and Open Space in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York (A Report by the Trust for Public Land)
Conservation: An Investment That Pays, 2009 (Trust for Public Land)
Tax Incentives for Land Conservation
In 2006, the Land Trust Alliance, with the support of the New York Advisory Board and land trust leaders across the state, was successful in getting New York State to enact the Conservation Easment Tax Credit. This innovative credit enables taxpayers whose land is restricted by a conservation easement to apply for an annual New York State income tax credit of up to 25% of the school district, county, and town real estate taxes paid on the restricted land, up to an annual maximum of $5,000 per taxpayer. Both New York State residents and non-residents may be eligible to claim the tax credit. All conservation easements must be registered with teh New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in order to claim the credit.
Guides
Forms
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has posted the taxpayer forms and instructions for the Conservation Easement Tax Credit on its website.
Individual Taxpayers (2010 Forms)
Form IT-242 | Instructions for Form IT-242
Non-Residents and Part-Year Residents (2010 Forms)
Form IT-203 | Instructions for Form IT-203
Corporations (2010 Forms)
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