DEC

DEC Acquires Historic Setauket Property for Conservation

May 8, 2017 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has acquired 17 acres of woodland in the historic maritime hamlet of Setauket. The property will be added to Patriots Hollow State Forest.

The property, the former Fitzsimmons Farm, is located in the Old Setauket Historic District within the watershed of the Long Island Sound. Its protection is cited in the 2016 Open Space Conservation Plan, released by Governor Andrew Cuomo in December, as a priority acquisition for protection of the Long Island Sound Watershed. The $3,400,000 purchase was paid for with funds from the state’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). [Read more…] about DEC Acquires Historic Setauket Property for Conservation

Connect Kids to Parks Transportation Grant Program

December 19, 2016 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Connect Kids to Parks Transportation Grant Program is available to K-12 classrooms in Title 1 schools across the state to connect New York public school children with nature and New York State history by providing reimbursement grants to public schools for visits to a New York State park, nature center or historic site, a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Environmental Education Center or Fish Hatchery, or the SUNY ESF Adirondack Ecological Center in Newcomb. [Read more…] about Connect Kids to Parks Transportation Grant Program

America’s Oldest Eastern Cottonwood Cut Down Near Newburgh

August 5, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has cut down the Balmville Tree, a historic and unusually large Eastern Cottonwood tree that has been growing since before 1699 in Balmville, a hamlet in Town of Newburgh, Orange County. The tree sat at the intersection of River Road, Commonwealth Avenue and Balmville Road at a place commonly known as the Balmville Tree Circle. It was believed to be the oldest eastern cottonwood tree in America.

DEC issued a statement to the press saying the tree was deemed “an immediate threat to passing traffic” by DEC and Newburgh officials, “due to its deteriorated condition and a greatly expanded crack”. The statement said DEC consulted with a professional arborist who inspected the tree and found it to be an extremely high risk to public safety and recommended removal. [Read more…] about America’s Oldest Eastern Cottonwood Cut Down Near Newburgh

The Fracking Report In Historical Perspective

January 8, 2015 by Dr. Bruce W. Dearstyne 1 Comment

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision in December to ban the use of hydrofracking in New York State was politically astute. The governor asserted he is merely following the recommendations in a new report from the State Health Department, A Public Review of High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing for Shale Gas Development. [Read more…] about The Fracking Report In Historical Perspective

Campuses Celebrate NYS Wilderness Act Connection

October 2, 2014 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

Through the efforts of a statewide grassroots committee, public and private colleges and universities throughout upstate New York have been spending this fall commemorating the Empire State’s role in inspiring federal wilderness preservation.

These activities are occurring in celebration of the anniversary of the signing by President Lyndon Johnson of the National Wilderness Preservation System Act of 1964, legislation that created the legal definition of “wilderness” in the United States and now makes provisions for wilderness management on more than 109 million acres of federal land. [Read more…] about Campuses Celebrate NYS Wilderness Act Connection

NYS Open Space Conservation Plan Comments Sought

October 1, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) have released the 2014 State Open Space Conservation Plan for public comment. The plan guides State Environmental Protection Fund investments in open space protection. Public comments on the draft plan will be accepted from until December 17 and a series of public hearings will be held across the state from October 21 to October 23.

What follows is a recently issued press release: [Read more…] about NYS Open Space Conservation Plan Comments Sought

Winter Weekends Planned at Historic Camp Santanoni

January 7, 2014 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), the Town of Newcomb, and the Adirondack Ecological Center have announced that historic Camp Santanoni, located off Route 28N in Newcomb, will be open for three special weekends this winter. [Read more…] about Winter Weekends Planned at Historic Camp Santanoni

Comments Sought On Historic Adirondack Fire Towers

October 21, 2013 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released the draft unit management plans (UMPs) for the Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower Historic Area and the Saint Regis Mountain Fire Tower Historic Area. The UMPs contain management proposals for the fire observation towers located on the summit of Hurricane Mountain in the Town of Keene, Essex County, and the summit of Saint Regis Mountain in the Town of Santa Clara, Franklin County. [Read more…] about Comments Sought On Historic Adirondack Fire Towers

Carol Ash Elected to Palisades Park Conservancy Board

October 18, 2013 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Former Palisades Interstate Park Commission Executive Director and New York State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash has been elected to serve a three-year term on the Palisades Parks Conservancy Board of Directors.

During her career in the fields of natural and cultural resources preservation, Carol Ash has served as the first director of the Office of Environmental Policy and Management for the Port Authority of NY and NJ, the NYC Regional Director of the NYS DEC, the PIPC Executive Director, and the NY State Parks Commissioner. [Read more…] about Carol Ash Elected to Palisades Park Conservancy Board

Adirondack Fire Towers History and Lore Guides

September 11, 2010 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In his two-volume Adirondack Fire Towers: Their History and Lore, Martin Podskoch’s chronicles the history and lore of each of the nearly 60 Adirondack fire towers.

The books deserve a spot on the shelf of not just those interested in the history of the Adirondacks (where they’re essential volumes), but also those with an interest in the history of forestry, conservation, wildfires, rural labor and community life in remote places. [Read more…] about Adirondack Fire Towers History and Lore Guides

Earth Day: A Revolution 40 Years In The Making

April 26, 2010 by John Warren Leave a Comment

On Earth Day 1970, people around the country, mostly college students, demonstrated on behalf of environmental causes. Forty years later, the environmental movement has come into the mainstream and secured state and federal agency leadership positions. More importantly, the movement has significantly improved the quality of our rivers, lakes and forests and in doing so has provided for the proliferation of some local wildlife.

While there are certainly challenges that remain – invasive species, inappropriate development, toxic exposures, nitrate and storm water management, climate change, the plight of amphibians, migratory birds, and bats – the environmental successes of the last 40 years should not be underestimated. [Read more…] about Earth Day: A Revolution 40 Years In The Making

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