The Capital Region segment of the NYS Birding Trail is now open and is the sixth region to be completed. The region includes 29 sites on a mix of public and private lands throughout five counties. [Read more…] about Capital Region Segment of the NYS Birding Trail Opens
DEC
Museum Study Act Passes State Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
The New York State Legislature passed A.9710/S.8934 “An act in relation to conducting a study of public and private museums in New York state,” unanimously in the Assembly on May 24th and in the Senate on June 2nd.
“This bill will make a difference to every museum in the state regardless of budget size, discipline, or location,” said Erika Sanger, Executive Director of the Museum Association of New York (MANY). The bill is headed to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk and her signature would enable the act to take effect immediately. [Read more…] about Museum Study Act Passes State Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Signature
New Boating Requirements for Adirondack Waters
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced measures to prevent the further spread of aquatic invasive species in the Adirondacks.
Recent changes to Environmental Conservation Law become effective on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022, and require motorized boat users to obtain certification that they have inspected and removed potentially harmful aquatic invasive species before launching in waters in, and immediately adjacent to, the Adirondack Forest Preserve. [Read more…] about New Boating Requirements for Adirondack Waters
Rangers Recover Body in Adks; Conduct Numerous Rescues
New 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 Rangers Recover Body in Adks; Conduct Numerous Rescues
DEC Releases 2021-22 Deer Hunting Estimates
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced hunters in New York killed an estimated 211,269 deer during the 2021-22 hunting seasons.
The season’s take was down 17 percent last year and data points to a few factors for a cause, including the resurgence of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in certain regions of the State and fewer Deer Management Permits allocated. There was however a 36-percent jump in youth deer kills and a late-season deer harvest increase, particularly among young hunters. [Read more…] about DEC Releases 2021-22 Deer Hunting Estimates
Comments Sought on Herkimer County’s Three Lakes Easement
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public comment on a draft recreation management plan (RMP) for the Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement in the town of Webb, Herkimer County.
The 3,350-acre Three Lakes Tract (TLT) is comprised of commercially managed forestland and is named for three waterbodies located on the property-Hitchcock, Grass, and Moose ponds. The RMP will address public recreational access and facilities consistent with the conservation easement. The public comment period is open until July 1st, 2022. [Read more…] about Comments Sought on Herkimer County’s Three Lakes Easement
New Summer Flounder Fishing Regulations
DEC has announced new recreational saltwater fishing regulations for the summer flounder (fluke) season that began on May 1st. Changes will provide more opportunities for anglers by extending the season a total of 12 fishing days to end on October 9th, 2022, and decreasing the minimum size limit by half an inch. [Read more…] about New Summer Flounder Fishing Regulations
Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention Training Hopes To Make Recreational Areas Safer
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation are launching new trainings to help prevent domestic and sexual violence at the hundreds of parks, campgrounds, day use areas, trails, boat launches, and other public outdoor spaces operated across New York.
The State’s seasonal hiring is underway and experts led by the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) are training many of the public-facing staff as part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiative launched last year to help domestic and sexual violence victims and survivors, with the goal of providing resources, access to safety and support to save lives. [Read more…] about Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention Training Hopes To Make Recreational Areas Safer
Tracking Timberdoodles: American Woodcock
The American woodcock, or Timberdoodle, is a migratory upland bird, whose numbers have been declining for several decades. Since 2018, DEC has been a partner in the Eastern Woodcock Migration Research Cooperative, led by the University of Maine. [Read more…] about Tracking Timberdoodles: American Woodcock
NYS ‘Lights Out’ Initiative Launched to Protect Migrating Birds
New York State agencies have announced two initiatives designed to protect and foster increased appreciation for birds – a new ‘Lights Out’ initiative to help protect migrating birds as they navigate night skies, and the launch of the Capital Region segment of the New York State Birding Trail to highlight the State’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities.
State buildings participating in Lights Out will keep non-essential outdoor lighting from affecting the ability of birds to migrate successfully, both in the Capital Region and throughout New York. [Read more…] about NYS ‘Lights Out’ Initiative Launched to Protect Migrating Birds