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Two Chautauqua County projects are receiving state DEC funding that promotes forest resilience.
The Native Forest Nursery was awarded $1,797,000 to support an increase in tree seedling production by increasing operational capacity and implementation of standardized production and traceability systems. Native Forest Nursery- New York was formed in 2025 as a venture between Chad Casselman and his brother Casey. Located in Jamestown, Native Forest Nursery-NY is growing trees that are acclimated to the specific climate of the Northeast. The company's goal is to produce the same high quality plant material as the original Native Forest Nursery in Georgia, serving customers from Wisconsin to Mainie.
Southern Tier Seed and Tree LLC will receive $442,600 to support an increase in tree seed collection, processing, storage and distribution through investment in operational capacity, workforce capacity, and inventory systems to enhance the state's native seed supply chain. Southern Tier Seed and Tree LLC is a native plant industry supplier located in Jamestown
The grants are among $45 million in grants to 44 projects promoting forest resilience and climate mitigation through sustainable forest management and reforestation while contributing to the state's goal of planting 25 million trees. Through DEC's Advancing Forest Markets (AFM) grant initiative, projects across the state will help businesses expand tree seedling and forest product capacity, production, and markets; increase access to affordable native trees; and grow New York State's forest products economy.
"At a time when the forest products sector faces significant economic pressures, these grants provide a welcome investment in New York State's forest-based economy," said Amanda Lefton, state DEC commissioner. "This funding will strengthen markets for low-grade and locally sourced wood, expand processing capacity, and improve the efficiency and competitiveness of forest product businesses across the state. By helping businesses put more of the wood harvested in our forests to productive use, these investments will create jobs, support rural economies, and keep working forests economically viable."