The state Department of Environmental Conservation, along with the Land Trust Alliance, announced this week the winners of $2.3 million in grants to land trusts around the state.

The North Country was awarded the third-highest of seven regions, raking in a total of $454,000 dollars. North Country land trusts that got a share of that money include Champlain Area Trails, The Nature Conservancy, the Lake Champlain Land Trust and the Lake George Land Conservancy.

The grants ranged in scope from $2,900 to $100,000, with the money coming from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.

“Land preservation is one of the most effective ways to protect the environment,” Steve Englebright, chair of the state Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee said in a press release. “The Conservation Partnership Program grants are essential to help land trusts preserve land in perpetuity and ensure that New Yorkers have access to open space, clean drinking water, and local agricultural products.”

The grants were broken into seven regions, with the Capital District getting 24 awards totaling $651,242. Central New York/Mohawk Valley got five awards totaling $146,100, while Long Island received four awards totaling $151,000. The Mid-Hudson region got $481,600 on 17 awards, while New York City got three awards totaling $105,500. The North Country received eight awards totaling $454,000 and Western New York /Finger Lakes/Southern Tier rounded out the awards with nine, totaling $305,200.