This week on The Historians Podcast: excerpts from 2021 podcasts including David Pietrusza – growing up in Amsterdam NY, public radio pioneer Will Lewis, Justice Robert Best – the historic Fulton County Courthouse, Darren Tracy – historic preservation, Jim Kaplan – New York City’s Wasserstein family, Jerry Snyder – Historic Amsterdam League and Oneida County historian Joseph Bottini – Oriskany’s Trinkaus Manor restaurant. [Read more…] about Historians Podcast Highlights of 2021
Western NY
180 Acres Protected In Six Mile Creek Watershed
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) have announced it has established a perpetual conservation easement on a priority parcel in the Six Mile Creek watershed in the town of Dryden, Tompkins County. [Read more…] about 180 Acres Protected In Six Mile Creek Watershed
Nocturnal Nature: Skunks On A Night Hike
With plenty of snow on the ground and a full moon on Saturday, this weekend promises to be one of those occasions when enough natural light will exist to venture outside and explore the nocturnal side of nature.
Taking a night time stroll can be quite exciting, especially during the latter part of February, as this is the time of year when the yelps and howls of the coyote, that signals the onset of its mating season, can often be heard. Likewise, both the red and gray fox will soon be entering their breeding periods, and their vocalizations may also break the stillness of the night.
Utica-Oneida Black History Month Celebration
The Utica/Oneida County Branch NAACP and Oneida County History Center are set to celebrate Black History Month with a virtual program following the national theme The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, which provides a rich tapestry of images for exploring the African American past and present, on February 27th. [Read more…] about Utica-Oneida Black History Month Celebration
Forest Rangers Respond to Truck on Snowmobile Trail, Overdue Snowshoers
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond to Truck on Snowmobile Trail, Overdue Snowshoers
Bobcat Dispersal: When The Kittens Leave Home
There comes a time in every mammal mother’s life when her young leave. For some, this comes in a matter of weeks, for others it might be years. As I follow bobcat tracks through snow on a mid-winter day, dispersal is on my mind. My 18-year-old son is preparing to fledge, and I ponder this transition as I track the cat through a tangle of wetland shrubs. Is this lone cat one of the kittens I watched play not far from here last summer? Is it, like my son, on its way to new horizons, to set down its mark, and fill its belly with the meat of the world? [Read more…] about Bobcat Dispersal: When The Kittens Leave Home
Historic Preservation Projects Honored Statewide
The State’s Historic Preservation Awards have been made to 11 projects across the state, including those that relate to African American landownership on Long Island, renovation of a former Carnegie Library in the Southern Tier, and rehabilitation of a former 1930s vacant high school into affordable housing in Western New York. [Read more…] about Historic Preservation Projects Honored Statewide
DEC Releases New York State Forest Action Plan
DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests has released the 2020 New York State Forest Action Plan. This document is revised every 10 years and provides long-term strategies for addressing the challenges faced by forests today. [Read more…] about DEC Releases New York State Forest Action Plan
Cancer Research, Medical Innovation, and Roswell Park
A half-century ago, the medical world was changed forever when a small group of doctors in Buffalo dared to take on cancer.
The Buffalo History Museum will host Cancer Crossings, a panel discussion on the history of cancer research, medical innovation, and Roswell Park, set for Wednesday, February 24th. [Read more…] about Cancer Research, Medical Innovation, and Roswell Park
Glacial Retreat in the Upper Mohawk Valley (Virtual Talk)
The Oneida County History Center will host a virtual presentation with Bob Allers on the glacial geology in Oneida, Madison, and Herkimer Counties as seen in LiDAR images, set for Saturday, February 20th, at 11:30 am. [Read more…] about Glacial Retreat in the Upper Mohawk Valley (Virtual Talk)