William J, Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman land preservation groups statewide were awarded $1.4 million in statewide conservation funding, Thurs., Apr. 25. The grants were announced by the Department of Environmental Conservation, which said 57 nonprofit land trusts across the state would receive financial assistance through the Conservation Partnership Program. The grants announced included more than $50,000 for Columbia County groups and $15,400 for Greene County groups. Scenic Hudson was awarded $38,000 to work with land trusts in Ulster and Columbia counties on trail enhancements. The money is to be used in conjunction with funding  provided by the land conservancies. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.