New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Catskills Strategic Planning Advisory Group Submits Final Report

by Leave a Comment

catskills provided by DECThe Catskills Strategic Planning Advisory Group (CAG) submitted its final report on promoting sustainable recreation in the Catskill Forest Preserve to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Comprised of members from local government, recreation, natural resource protection, business and tourism, and other priority areas, the CAG was tasked in October 2020 with providing recommendations to DEC on how to address issues associated with increased public use of the Catskill Park in order to protect these areas. [Read more…] about Catskills Strategic Planning Advisory Group Submits Final Report

ATV Goes Through Lake Ice; Man Dies In Snowmobile Crash

by Leave a Comment

ATV through the ice on Waneta LakeOn December 20th, Retired Forest Ranger Lieutenant Morse reported an ATV broke through the ice on Waneta Lake in Willowemoc Wild Forest in the Catskills town of Rockland, Sullivan County. Ranger Stratton responded and issued tickets to the two subjects from Pennsylvania for unauthorized motor vehicle use on state land. A tow company removed the ATV from the lake.

Two days later, on December 22, 2022, at around 3:12 am, State Police responded to a report of a snowmobile crash with injuries on a snowmobile trail off the Wallace Road in the town of Louisville. Louisville is located along the St. Lawrence River, on the northern border of St. Lawrence County west of Massena. [Read more…] about ATV Goes Through Lake Ice; Man Dies In Snowmobile Crash

Sullivan County’s ‘White Christmas’ Connection

by 2 Comments

WhiteRoeAerialThe Columbia Inn in Pine Tree, Vermont did not bear much of a resemblance to a Catskills’ hotel of that era, and Dean Jagger’s General Tom Waverly was definitely not much like a Sullivan County hotel owner, but the movie “White Christmas” has a strong local flavor nonetheless. [Read more…] about Sullivan County’s ‘White Christmas’ Connection

Thomas Cole Historic Site Break Ground On New Visitor Center

by Leave a Comment

Cole Center groundbreakingThe Thomas Cole National Historic Site, located in the village of Catskill, Greene County, has broken ground on a new visitor center.

The new 1,800 square foot visitor center, to be named The Cole Center, will serve as a multi-purpose open concept space designed to improve visitor experience. It will include a gift shop, a café, and a public patio, and will host visitor orientation, events and creative activities.

[Read more…] about Thomas Cole Historic Site Break Ground On New Visitor Center

Missing Man Found Unlawfully Harvesting Wild Ginseng

by Leave a Comment

ECO Woodin with seized ginseng in Delaware CountyA Delaware County, NY man reported missing over the summer may not have wanted to be found. Reported missing on August 31st after failing to return home, multiple law enforcement agencies searched for the man and his vehicle. [Read more…] about Missing Man Found Unlawfully Harvesting Wild Ginseng

Forest Rangers Make Numerous Rescues In Adirondacks, Catskills

by Leave a Comment

forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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 Make Numerous Rescues In Adirondacks, Catskills

Forest Rangers Make Rescues of Ill-Prepared, Injured Hikers, Climbers

by Leave a Comment

forest ranger logoNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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 Make Rescues of Ill-Prepared, Injured Hikers, Climbers

‘Open Spaces for All’ Plan Released

by Leave a Comment

Open Spaces For AllParks & Trails New York (PTNY) has announced their support for Open Spaces for All, a report issued by the Open Space Institute (OSI), in partnership with the New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition (NYORC), of which PTNY is a member.

The Open Spaces for All report presents a comprehensive set of state-level recommendations designed to improve equity and access to parks and other open spaces for residents and visitors of New York State. The full report can be viewed online. [Read more…] about ‘Open Spaces for All’ Plan Released

Important NYS Forest Preserve Management Reforms, Part 2

by Leave a Comment

“Visitor Use Management” Forest PreserveThe Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for development of a “Visitor Use Management” Plan for the Central High Peaks Wilderness Area in the Adirondack Park and the Kaaterskill Clove/Route 23A corridor of the Catskill Park.

The RFP marks a major step forward in DEC’s efforts to evaluate and address a series of impacts to the natural resources, the visitor experience, and public safety due to high recreational use in these two popular destinations on the New York State Forest Preserve. [Read more…] about Important NYS Forest Preserve Management Reforms, Part 2