In our Outdoors program area, The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation (PCLB) seeks to increase the pace of land conservation; preserve land with significant biodiversity and climate resilience; protect water quality; connect open space; and connect people to nature. To advance these goals, PCLB has established a Land and Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP) that provides grants to help land trusts complete projects that align with these goals in the Hudson River and Lake Champlain Watersheds in New York. Grants are intended to close funding gaps for active projects that are otherwise ready to close. Funds can be used to acquire land and conservation easements. Priority will be given to projects that:

• Promote biodiversity.
• Interconnect open space.
• Protect high-quality water resources.
• Provide meaningful public access opportunities.

Complete program guidelines can be found here. More information about the eligible geographic areas can be found here.