Otto/Communal

State Adds Nearly 700 Acres to East Otto State Forest Spanning Otto and East Otto

New York's DEC and The Nature Conservancy announced on April 2, 2026 the acquisition of more than 689 acres in the Towns of Otto and East Otto, expanding the East Otto State Forest to a total of 2,071 acres. The $2.39 million purchase, funded through the state's Environmental Protection Fund, adds new frontage along Utley Brook and Cattaraugus Creek for public recreation. DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton called well-managed forests an important tool for climate resilience, while The Nature Conservancy's Dirk Bryant said the project would boost local recreation and protect clean drinking water. The expansion supports New York's broader 30x30 land conservation initiative and gives Otto residents added access to hiking, hunting and fishing grounds close to home.