DEC Announces Permanent Protection of 965 Acres to Enhance Cranberry Lake Wild Forest

Complements Recent and Future Easement Purchases and Supports Governor Hochul's 2025 State of the State Land Accessibility Goal and State's 30x30 Initiative

Video Available: Cranberry Lake Land Acquisition

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the acquisition of more than 965 acres along the Oswegatchie River in the town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County. The acquisition connects portions of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, preserving approximately 2.3 miles of the river and providing the public with new and enhanced paddling and fishing opportunities that include nearly 2,200 additional brook trout and brown trout stocked into the Oswegatchie River.

"DEC prioritizes land acquisition as a critical strategy for protecting New York State's ecological assets and wildlife populations and achieving our climate goals," said Interim Commissioner Mahar. "Connecting the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest and its recreational and ecological resources is an essential component of DEC's sustained conservation efforts and will help draw more visitors to the region's abundant year-round recreational offerings."

DEC Region 6 Director Randall Young said, "Securing the river corridor is imperative for the long-term conservation of vital aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Additionally, as with all DEC land acquisitions, the expansion will broaden recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the North Country."

The Conservation Fund Vice President and Northeast Representative Tom Duffus said, "The purchase by the state is part of a very large complex of lands TCF and DEC prioritized for conservation in the Cranberry Lake and Newton Falls area. Together with DEC, our work will continue to conserve important resources, grow public access and support local jobs through sustainable forest management, guiding services and historic hunt clubs valued by the community."

The 25,671-acre Cranberry Lake Wild Forest consists of four parcels to the west, northwest, and east of Cranberry Lake; it contains 6.2 miles of administrative roads, 26.9 miles of foot trails, 9.3 miles of snowmobile trails, 12.6 miles of ski trails, a 0.4-mile canoe carry, and three Adirondack lean-tos.

Identified as a priority project in the State's 2016 Open Space Conservation Plan, this acquisition consolidates portions of the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, connecting the Buck Mountain and Webster Tracts and the Cranberry Forest and Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easements, while preserving the open space character of approximately 2.3 miles of the Oswegatchie River and approximately three miles of other classified trout streams on the property, including Peavine Creek and Thomas Brook. Visitors can access the property through the 4.5 miles of road frontage along New York State Route 3 and Tooley Pond Road. Established car-top boat launches provide access to the river from Tooley Pond Road. 

DEC purchased the 965.8-acre parcel from The Conservation Fund (TCF) using $870,000 from the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). Among the many environmental victories in the Governor's 2025-26 Executive Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed to maintain the historically high level of $400 million in EPF funding. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. The EPF also supports New York's 30x30 Initiative, which commits to conserving 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.

Making Open Space Accessible for All

In the 2025 State of the State, Governor Hochul prioritized creating and protecting parks and green spaces to ensure more people can enjoy time outdoors. To expand these efforts, the Governor will provide funding for land conservation to protect open spaces, farmland, and enhance accessibility. Recognizing the need for streamlined processes, the Governor will also champion several key initiatives including modernizing the use of title insurance to expedite land acquisitions, granting DEC the authority to independently acquire conservation easements, and reducing the financial hurdles faced by not-for-profit organizations in their land conservation efforts. These changes and investments will empower the state to more effectively protect our natural heritage for future generations.

The acquisition complements a recent 7,000-acre working forest conservation easement north of Cranberry Lake Village. That property is now owned by a local family business. Future working forest conservation easements are expected to be finalized nearby, further building the environmental and public benefits within the region.

For more information about conservation efforts in the area, visit the TCF website.

For more information on New York's lands and forests, visit DEC's website.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.