History, Natural History & the Arts
Burning fuel, like wood and gasoline, happens around the world every day. Most of the time, we burn fuels to make heat or power engines. Sometimes the burning happens by accident, as in the case of wildfires.
Most of the time, the process of burning fuels creates emissions in the form of visible smoke. Black carbon is a significant component of fine particulate matter pollution and a key ingredient in “soot.” [Read more…] about Black Carbon: Some History & Science of Soot
The Ausable River Association (AsRA) will host the virtual on tour Wild and Scenic Film Festival, featuring an evening of visual storytelling through inspirational films, on Friday, October 29th from 7 to 9 pm.
This event celebrates the beauty and significance of wild places throughout the world, and the important work being done to protect them. [Read more…] about Wild and Scenic Film Festival Virtual Screening Oct 29th
DEC and The Nature Conservancy have announced the acquisition of 161 acres in the town of Sempronius in the Owasco Lake watershed. The acquisition of the Ward property will help protect public water supplies and safeguard riparian buffers and wetlands. [Read more…] about Owasco Lake Watershed Land Acquired for Protection
Bat Week is an internationally recognized week-long focus to raise awareness about the important role bats play in our environment and is a great time to appreciate New York’s nine bat species.
Bat Week is observed October 24th through 31st and is organized by representatives from conservation groups and government agencies in the United States and Canada. [Read more…] about Help Protect New York’s Bat Populations During Bat Week
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently completed several improvement projects at Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located in the towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent in Jefferson County, NY.
Improvements at the WMA include an accessible wildlife observation tower, along with a designated accessible parking area, and educational sign. [Read more…] about Access Improvements Made at Ashland Flats Wildlife Area
Book purchases made through this link support New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.
The new book Paths to the Past: History Hikes through the Hudson River Valley, Catskills, Berkshires, Taconics, Saratoga & Capital Region (Black Dome Press, 2021) by Russell Dunn & Barbara Delaney, with foreword by Mark King, Executive Director, Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, looks at thirty-one guided hikes and walks that explore the rich variety of landscapes in eastern upstate New York that offer still-visible evidence of the area’s history from prehistoric Native American settlements to abandoned 20th-century industries. [Read more…] about A New Guide To History Hikes In Eastern New York and Western Mass
What are round-ish, mostly orange and commonly found in October on front porches or near entryways?
Obviously the answer is Harmonia axyridis, a.k.a. the multicolored lady beetle or lady bug. This insect, although beneficial to gardens, is no treat when it gathers by the hundreds on your doors or exterior walls in autumn. And more than a few will find their way indoors. [Read more…] about It’s Lady Bug Season
Book purchases made through this link support New York Almanack’s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.
The new book Underground Empires: Two Centuries of Exploration, Adventure & Enterprise in New York’s Cave Country (Black Dome Press, 2021), by Dana Cudmore with foreword by Robert & Johanna Titus, explores the history of caves in Albany and Schoharie Counties, and describes the personal and engineering accomplishments that turned some into popular tourist destinations. [Read more…] about Underground Empires: A New History Of New York’s Cave Country
Right on cue, Autumn has once again made its swift return to the Adirondacks. With it comes a list of work to ready ourselves for winter, including yard and garden cleanup. Well, we’re here to help alleviate your workload and share a “radical” concept. When prepping your yard for winter, do less! [Read more…] about Reconsider ‘Fall Clean-Up’ and Leaf it Be
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has protected 150 acres of Bolton, NY uplands in Warren County through the use of a conservation easement, a tool used by land trusts that keep land in private ownership while protecting the land’s conservation values.
The property includes one mile of stream corridor and 10 acres of wetland within the Indian Brook tributary of Lake George. [Read more…] about 150 Acres Protected At Lake George