New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

hiking

Catskills Strategic Planning Advisory Group Submits Final Report

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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

Recreation Highlight: Camp Sagamore Trail System

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Camp Sagamore Trail SystemWithin the 47,000-acre Blue Ridge Wilderness lies the Camp Sagamore Trail System. Located near and around the grounds of Great Camp Sagamore, a registered National Historic Landmark and one of few Adirondack Great Camps still in existence today, this trail system provides an immersive nature experience. [Read more…] about Recreation Highlight: Camp Sagamore Trail System

NY State Lands Kiosk Survey Launched

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Kaaterskill Falls trail kiosk - trailheadNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the release of the new DEC Kiosk Survey seeking public input on informational kiosk signage on DEC properties.

Feedback received is expected to help inform DEC improvements to informational kiosk signage throughout the state. [Read more…] about NY State Lands Kiosk Survey Launched

Albany-Hudson Electric Trail 2022 Use Report

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Albany-Hudson Electric TrailThe Hudson River Valley Greenway (HRVG) has released the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail 2022 Trail Use Report.  HRVG constructed and operates the Albany–Hudson
Electric Trail (AHET), a 36–mile recreational “rail trail” in Rensselaer and Columbia Counties.

The report includes visitation numbers to four different trail sections on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET) using automated counters to count users and a visual trail use survey to analyze user types. [Read more…] about Albany-Hudson Electric Trail 2022 Use Report

Hiker Rescued From Johns Brook Trail in Adirondack High Peaks

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Photo of hiker being rescued on Johns Brook Trail on January 2, 2023 provided by DEC.On Monday, January 2, 2023 at 2:15 p.m., NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s dispatch office in Ray Brook, Essex County, NY, requested NYS Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who collapsed in the snow on Johns Brook Trail. The trail, located in Keene Valley in Essex County is one of the most popular accesses to the Adirondack High Peaks. [Read more…] about Hiker Rescued From Johns Brook Trail in Adirondack High Peaks

100 Acres Added to Klipnocky State Forest, Allegany County

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dog in orange hunting vest with two pheasants it retrieved after a successful hunt on Klipnocky State ForestIn the winter of 2021, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) acquired 100 acres in the Klipnocky State Forest. Already a unique forest, this new property adds a new level of habitat diversity to the area. It is composed of 25 acres of hay fields and 55 acres of early successional habitat that is chock-full of blueberries, thornapple, and dogwoods. The remaining acreage has open ponds that are home to beavers and the occasional wood duck. [Read more…] about 100 Acres Added to Klipnocky State Forest, Allegany County

Bridge Completes New Oswego County Little Sandy Creek Trail

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Little Sandy Creek Bridge (3)The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the completion of the Little Sandy Creek Bridge, a 110-foot structure that extends over Little Sandy Creek in the Winona State Forest.

The newly constructed bridge, located in the town of Boylston, Oswego County, is part of the new one-mile Little Sandy Creek Trail, completed this fall in partnership with the Winona Forest Recreation Association (WFRA). [Read more…] about Bridge Completes New Oswego County Little Sandy Creek Trail

Otsego Outdoor Challenge Marks 5000th Trek

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winter octetAs Lee Ann and Rick Myers of Oneonta completed the Otsego Outdoors Fall Octet Challenge, it marked the 5000th trek Octet participants have completed. A collaborative program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust and Otsego County Conservation Association, Otsego Outdoors connects residents and visitors with year-round recreational opportunities in and near Otsego County. [Read more…] about Otsego Outdoor Challenge Marks 5000th Trek

Adirondack Land Trust, Lake Placid Land Conservancy Merger Takes Effect in New Year

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Mountain bikers at Three Sisters Preserve participating in a women’s ride during the 2021 Wilmington Mountain Bike Fest (photo by Jamie McGiver provided)The merger of two nationally accredited land trusts streamlines operations and ensures continued open space protection in New York’s Adirondack Park.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Lake Placid Land Conservancy (LPLC) will merge into the Adirondack Land Trust as approved by the New York State Attorney General’s office and the Secretary of State. The assets, programs and land stewardship responsibilities of LPLC will be transferred to the Adirondack Land Trust. [Read more…] about Adirondack Land Trust, Lake Placid Land Conservancy Merger Takes Effect in New Year