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Leaders involved in the program say green infrastructure is critical in attracting and retaining people in our communities statewide.

The grants, totaling $1.4 million, will help communities by providing clean air, water, food and recreational places.

In Rochester, the key is to link an urban setting with nature. One of the urban initiatives includes the El Camino Trail project. The two-mile walking and biking greenway will officially open next month.

"Got involved over ten years ago in trying to transform an unused railroad track into a trail through a community that has seen better days, but it's amazing now. It seems like there is so much going on in the community that it will be seeing better days,” said Gay Mills, Genesee Land Trust.

"We're also working to protect farms and forests, recreational opportunities, hiking, and biking and walking trails like this. You know, these are really vital, not just to our environment, but to our economy,” said Jim Howe, The Nature Conservancy.

These state funds will help create employment and save more than 1,500 acres of land space, a model that other states are now looking to duplicate.