History, Natural History & the Arts
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Environmental Conservation Police Officers in New York State. [Read more…] about Environmental Conservation Police Reports
This special two-part episode of the Capital District Civil War Round Table features historians Joan Waugh, Daniel T. Davis, Gary Gallagher, Chris Mackowksi, and Paul Kahan talking about the history and memory of Ulysses S. Grant‘s military leadership, his drinking, his presidency, and the Lost Cause interpretations of the Civil War that marred Grant’s reputation. [Read more…] about Ulysses S. Grant: In Life and Death (Podcast)
Sometimes it pays to be an insomniac. One frigid winter night, I climbed out of my restless bed and slipped outside to stand under a sky littered with stars and take in the complete silence of darkness. Suddenly, a ruckus broke out along the edge of the pond near my home. A series of high-pitched yips echoed from the shore. A wild yapping answered from closer to my own yard. [Read more…] about Fox Calls: Yips, Shrieks, and Yaps
Over the next few weeks, the Lake Champlain Sea Grant team will be hosting “Zoom a Scientist,” an interactive webinar series focused on watershed and aquatic science.
Every Tuesday and Friday from noon until 1 pm scientists will lead viewers through the Lake Champlain watershed and share their research. [Read more…] about Lake Champlain Sea Grant Hosting ‘Zoom A Scientist’
When did the fighting of the American War for Independence end?
In school we learn that the war came to an end at the Battle of Yorktown. But, this lesson omits all of the fighting that took place after Charles, Earl Cornwallis’ surrender in October 1781.
[Read more…] about Fighting After Yorktown: The End of Revolutionary War
I hope all who are reading this are well, that your families are well, and that you are taking precautionary measures to remain healthy and safe.
Every museum in New York is closed, thousands of staff have already been laid off, and thousands more will follow. A Washington, DC source estimated that as many as 30% of museums across the nation may remain permanently closed. [Read more…] about NYS Museums Working Together in Uncertain Times
There are numerous physical and mental benefits of exploring and connecting with nature. Often though, we are so eager to get on the trail and reach a destination, that we miss the details along the path – and the details can often make the journey more meaningful.
One way to help slow your pace and deepen your connection with nature is to start a journal. Nature journaling requires you to take pause, observe the wildlife, plants, or scenery around you, and record what you see through a combination of notes and sketches. [Read more…] about Conservation Minute: The Art of Nature Journaling
Around the middle of March, I begin to feel that springtime urge to hit the road, to lace up the winter-neglected running shoes and start slogging through some miles.
My early-season jogs take me past a wetland area that stubbornly spans both sides of a road near my home. It’s a usual – and very welcome – happening to spot red-winged blackbirds here, even while snow lingers around the cattails and brushy willows. [Read more…] about Red-Winged Blackbird Epaulets Play Important Role
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a call for citizen science volunteers to help in the development of a comprehensive, statewide survey that takes place every two decades to detail New York’s breeding bird distribution.
Starting in 2020, five years of field surveys will be conducted by volunteers and project partners to provide the data that will be analyzed to create the third New York State Breeding Bird Atlas. [Read more…] about Birdwatchers Sought for 2020 Breeding Bird Atlas
Trout and salmon fishing season opens in New York State on Wednesday, April 1st.
New York’s coldwater lakes and streams offer springtime trout anglers the opportunity to pursue trout in a wide array of settings across the state. [Read more…] about Trout and Salmon Fishing Season Opens April 1