History, Natural History & the Arts
On August 25th, the Durham Valley Scenic Byway (DVSB) spanning 21 miles through the towns of Durham and Windham in Greene County was designated as part of the New York State Scenic Byways System (NYSSBP).
These 21 miles were designated scenic roads by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 1991 before the creation of the NYSSBP. [Read more…] about Durham Valley Scenic Byway Designated
The Time and the Valleys Museum will host a virtual program on Japanese Knotweed, the invasive plant that has been taking over Catskill streambanks, set for Friday, September 23rd. [Read more…] about Fighting the Spread of Japanese Knotweed
New York’s ocean waters are home to various kinds of marine life, including large whales and dolphins.
Whales and dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and boaters must remain at a distance from marine life for everyone’s safety. [Read more…] about Watch for Marine Life in New York’s Waters
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced changes to wild turkey hunting regulations that will provide hunters additional hunting opportunities on Long Island.
This despite the fact that turkey populations in New York State peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s and over the past decade, turkey productivity has consistently been below average, leading to lower populations. [Read more…] about Despite Statewide Decline, DEC Expands Wild Turkey Hunting on Long Island
Each fall, tributaries to the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain are home to salmon returning to spawn. This can make for some exciting fish watching as salmon move upstream and jump or otherwise navigate various obstructions on their way to their desired spawning sites. [Read more…] about New York’s Fall Salmon Migration
From palm-reading to watching Fox News, humans throughout the ages have sought knowledge through some decidedly irrational means. But every now and then, superstition pays off.
For example, studying the pattern of coffee grounds in the bottom of one’s cup, a practice known as tasseomancy, will nearly always reveal that someone forgot to put a filter in the coffeemaker basket. And haruspicy, the study of the fresh entrails of a gutted animal, is consistently right in concluding the animal is dead. [Read more…] about Reading Bug Tracks on Tea Leaves
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released draft Access and Public Use Plans (APUP) for Cranberry Creek and Plantation Island Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Jefferson and Herkimer Counties. The draft plans are available for public comment until October 1st, 2022. [Read more…] about DEC Updating Cranberry Creek, Plantation Island Area Use Plans
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the completion of two aquatic habitat improvement projects in Jefferson County.
These habitat enhancements, on the Black River below the town of Dexter and in Chaumont Bay, Jefferson County, were implemented in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and create new spawning habitat for native fish species that are critical for local economies and ecological diversity in the region. [Read more…] about Aquatic Habitat Improvements Projects in Jefferson County
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have confirmed that a white-tailed deer in the town of Dover Plains, Dutchess County, died recently after contracting Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). This detection marks the first EHD confirmation in New York for 2022. DEC is currently investigating reports of several other dead deer from Dutchess County. [Read more…] about Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Confirmed in Dutchess County Deer
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) will hold the third annual Women’s Fishing Expo at Connetquot River State Park Preserve on Saturday, September 17th, from 10 am to 2 pm. [Read more…] about Third Annual Women’s Fishing Expo Sept 17th