ALBANY, NY (April 5, 2026) — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced more than $5.1 million in grants for 51 projects statewide to combat aquatic and terrestrial invasive species, including several initiatives in Westchester County aimed at habitat restoration and ecosystem management.
The funding, announced by DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, is intended to support prevention, early detection, rapid response, control, research, and restoration efforts to address invasive species impacts on natural resources, infrastructure, agriculture, and local economies.
“Managing invasive species and mitigating their negative impacts to our lands and waters is essential to the environment, public health, and quality of life,” Lefton said. “Investing in science-based management and strong local partnerships is strengthening New York’s efforts to combat invasive species, protect biodiversity, build more resilient ecosystems, and protect our forests, waters, farms, and communities.”
The grants are divided across four categories: $467,810 for six aquatic invasive species prevention and boat decontamination projects; $1,664,197 for 18 early detection, rapid response, and control projects; $699,142 for eight research projects; and $2,286,727 for 19 restoration and resiliency projects.
The entire list of grantees is here.
In Westchester County, several organizations and municipalities received funding for targeted projects:
The Bedford Audubon Society was awarded $40,819 to control invasive vegetation and reestablish native plant communities at selected sites.
Friends of Kensico Cemetery received $230,000 for invasive species management and reforestation to restore a degraded wetland and stream habitat in the central portion of Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla.
Pace University was awarded $55,685 to study the relationship between forest decline and the spread of invasive plants, including examining the effects of hemlock wooly adelgid and beech leaf disease on newly introduced invasive species.
The Village of Mount Kisco received $250,000 to restore a high-priority ecological area along a segment of the Kisco River in Leonard Park, where invasive species including multiflora rose, Japanese knotweed, Japanese stiltgrass, Asiatic bittersweet, and mugwort are present.
The Westchester Parks Foundation was awarded $173,561 to purchase an aquatic Eco-Harvester and trailer to address infestations of water chestnut and Eurasian milfoil in parks.
The DEC said the projects are intended to strengthen long-term ecosystem health, economic stability, and community wellbeing, while also supporting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s initiative to plant 25 million trees by 2033.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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