This round-up of Adirondack conservation news is a collection of the most current events taking place in New York’s Adirondack Park, a unique national treasure and legacy we inherited over 100 years ago that we must protect for future generations. [Read more…] about Adirondack Conservation News: 5 Things You Need to Know
endangered species
A Wing and a Prayer: Saving Our Vanishing Birds
After hearing the news in 2019 that nearly 3 billion birds have been lost in the United States and Canada during the past 50 years, Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal traveled more than 25,000 miles across the Americas, chronicling the efforts of conservationists, scientists, and politicians to save bird species from extinction. [Read more…] about A Wing and a Prayer: Saving Our Vanishing Birds
New York Snake Stories: Burmese Python Seized; ‘Rattled’ Service Workers
On July 13th, New York State Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Lieutenant Unger and ECO Kochanowski responded to a Nassau County, Long Island residence after receiving a report that the homeowner wanted to turn in a 14-foot Burmese python. [Read more…] about New York Snake Stories: Burmese Python Seized; ‘Rattled’ Service Workers
Spotted Turtles: Rare and Reclusive
Named for their polka-dot-like markings, spotted turtles have declined throughout most of their range, which stretches from Maine south along the Atlantic coastal plain to northern Florida, and in New York, throughout the Hudson Valley, on Long Island, and in the lake plains of western and central New York into the eastern Great Lakes states. [Read more…] about Spotted Turtles: Rare and Reclusive
Catskills Montane Breeding Bird Survey Underway
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is partnering with the Cary Institute, NY Natural Heritage Program, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and SUNY New Paltz biology department to monitor birds, such as the Bicknell’s thrush, that nest in rare mountaintop habitats. [Read more…] about Catskills Montane Breeding Bird Survey Underway
Sharing Cliffs with Peregrine Falcons
The stunning cliffs of the Adirondacks are home to billion-year-old rocks, a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts, and a fragile but growing population of the endangered peregrine falcon. For Adirondack rock climbers, this means sharing cliffs with the birds that build their nests high on a wall. [Read more…] about Sharing Cliffs with Peregrine Falcons
Endangered Species ‘Antiques’ at Fairgrounds Show Lead to Charges
On May 27, while attending the “Barn Star’s Antiques at Rhinebeck,” semi-annual antique show held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Investigators Conway and Bastedo discovered numerous items made from parts of endangered animals that are illegal to sell in New York State. [Read more…] about Endangered Species ‘Antiques’ at Fairgrounds Show Lead to Charges
New Fishing Regulations to Protect Sharks Proposed
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is proposing changes to recreational fishing regulations in New York’s Marine and Coastal District. This rulemaking is designed to improve the management and protection of sharks by establishing gear restrictions for recreational shore anglers to enhance law enforcement’s ability to protect sharks and includes new handling and release methods for anglers to improve shark and angler safety.
The proposed regulation is available for public comment until August 7th, 2023. [Read more…] about New Fishing Regulations to Protect Sharks Proposed
New York Bight Sperm Whale Behavior
Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are an endangered large whale species that live primarily in deep offshore waters at the continental shelf break. The New York Bight (NYB), an ecologically rich region off the U.S. Atlantic coast between New Jersey and Long Island, provides habitat for the species throughout most of the year. [Read more…] about New York Bight Sperm Whale Behavior
Blanding’s Turtle
The Blanding’s turtle inhabits a variety of wetlands including marshes, swamps, and flood plains. However, individual turtles will travel over land considerable distances to reach sandy or gravelly areas to lay eggs, and vernal pools where they will feast on amphibian egg masses, larval amphibians, crustaceans, plants, and other organisms throughout the spring. [Read more…] about Blanding’s Turtle