The Finger Lakes Land Trust is celebrating a major step forward for conservation in New York following a new agreement between Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James aimed at accelerating the state’s land protection efforts.
The agreement streamlines legal and administrative procedures used to acquire and conserve open space, with a particular focus on expanding the use of commercial title insurance. The Land Trust says the move will remove longstanding bottlenecks in conservation deals — a win for both the environment and the people who live and recreate in the region.
“This is a very positive step for New York State,” said Finger Lakes Land Trust President Andrew Zepp. “It will help streamline the land acquisition process and address a backlog of pending acquisitions for conservation.”
According to Zepp, the impact will be felt across the Finger Lakes, with projects already in the pipeline that would expand state forests in Cayuga, Cortland, Steuben, and Tompkins counties. The agreement also supports additions to the Bare Hill Unique Area and High Tor Wildlife Management Area in Yates County.
“These acquisitions will all result in the conservation of significant natural resources while expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation,” Zepp said.
Clearing roadblocks for conservation
At the heart of the agreement is a practical fix to a longstanding challenge: land deals requiring lengthy and costly legal reviews have slowed down projects statewide. By allowing more widespread use of title insurance, New York joins other states in giving land trusts and state agencies a faster, more efficient path to closing conservation deals.
The new Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Attorney General’s Office is designed to support New York’s broader climate and conservation goals — including the state’s “30×30” commitment to preserve 30% of its lands and waters by 2030.
In the Finger Lakes region, the Finger Lakes Land Trust plays a key role in identifying and protecting high-priority lands that safeguard water quality, support wildlife, and provide access to nature. The group says these kinds of reforms are essential to keep pace with growing conservation needs.
“This kind of collaboration between state leaders and conservation partners shows real commitment to New York’s natural heritage,” Zepp added.
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