Overview of NYPAD Data

The New York Protected Areas Database (NYPAD) is intended to be the most comprehensive geospatial dataset of protected lands in New York State. Protected lands are defined as those lands which are protected or designated as natural areas, conservation lands, open space, or recreational areas through fee ownership, easement, management agreement, or other mechanism that prevents development.

The geospatial and associated attribute data were assembled from the best available data sources of protected areas, including federal, state and local agencies; land trusts and other organizations whose missions include land conservation and management; and county cadastral (tax parcel) data.

Get NYPAD Data

NYPAD data is available for download as a geodatabase, and is also available as a web service. To download the geodatabase or to use the web service in your GIS, click on the link below.

Get NYPAD 2024 (released November 12, 2024)

Note on comparing versions of NYPAD
We strongly discourage comparing different NYPAD versions to look for changes in acreage protected or in protection status as many changes reflect improvements to agency and organization GIS systems and data, rather than actual changes in protected area acquisition on the ground.
NYPAD does include a Date of Establishment field; however, this field is not fully attributed and data gaps are difficult to address. Individual managing and owner agencies and organizations are the best source of time-specific land protection and management information.