The footprint of the perpetually protected forest in Zoar Valley is growing.

More than 600 acres – about a square mile in area – is being added to the already protected lands in southern Erie and northern Cattaraugus counties as part of a collaboration between a private landowner, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Nature Conservancy.

Why is that important?

It's one of the few remaining intact blocks of existing forest areas in the state's Great Lakes region, the Nature Conservancy said.

The land is in a river valley, adjacent to some of the 1,200 acres the Conservancy already has acquired in the area as well as protected lands of the East Otto State Forest and DEC's Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area, the organization said.

The acquisition is being hailed as a victory for land preservation efforts in Western New York and for hedging against climate change.

"Local land protection benefits the entire planet," said Jim Howe, the conservancy's chapter director in Western and Central New York State. "It helps provide clean air and water for people while also contributing to the fight against climate change."