The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced six “first day” hikes planned for January 1st, 2022, in DEC’s Region 5, which includes the Central and Eastern Adirondacks. The walks and hikes are family-friendly and range from 1.5 to five miles round trip. [Read more…] about Guided ‘First Day’ Hikes in the Adirondacks
nature
Tree Bark in Winter
It’s winter. Hardwood trees are bare. But that doesn’t mean the woods are bereft of interest.
Winter, when sunlight slants in, is the time when bark comes into its own. Pause to take in the aged-brass bark of a yellow birch, or the hand-sized bark plates on a big white pine. [Read more…] about Tree Bark in Winter
DEC Plans Changes to Superfund, Brownfield Cleanup Regs
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced proposed changes to the State’s regulations for the clean-up of contaminated sites.
The proposals are available for public comment until April 21, 2022, and would create new cleanup standards for the oversight of the emerging contaminants perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanoic sulfonate (PFOS), and affect the implementation of the State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program, State Superfund and other cleanup programs. [Read more…] about DEC Plans Changes to Superfund, Brownfield Cleanup Regs
New Road To Open Access To St. Lawrence County Wild Areas
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the amendment of the Kildare Conservation Easement and the Five Mile Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plans (RMPs) to include new opportunities for public access to recreation in the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about New Road To Open Access To St. Lawrence County Wild Areas
National Symposium On Harmful Algae Planned For October
The 11th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae will be held October 23rd through 28th, 2022, at the Hilton in Albany. The theme is “Science to Support Solutions from Shore to Shore,” and the intended audience is water managers, researchers and government officials. [Read more…] about National Symposium On Harmful Algae Planned For October
Strategies That Help Mammals Survive The Winter
Earlier this month DEC hosted a Facebook Live event at the New York State Museum in which the department’s wildlife staff discussed how wildlife developed unique behaviors and traits that help them thrive and survive in the fall and winter months. [Read more…] about Strategies That Help Mammals Survive The Winter
Snow Birds: Juncos in Winter
Most winters, the dark-eyed junco is one of the most common birds at my feeder. While I rarely see juncos in summer, except when hiking in the mountains, small flocks of juncos typically appear soon after I hang my feeder in early December. Due to their sudden appearance in winter, John James Audubon called juncos “Snow Birds.” [Read more…] about Snow Birds: Juncos in Winter
Peter Bauer: DEC’s Revised Approach to Forest Preserve Long Overdue
The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has organized a working group to assist the department in revising and amending a series of policies for New York State Forest Preserve trails stewardship. The DEC organized this working group through the membership of the longstanding Forest Preserve Advisory Committee (FPAC). The working group includes members from trails building organizations, local government, and the environmental community.
The Department stressed that this is a unified management effort for the entire Forest Preserve, and the working group includes members from the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. [Read more…] about Peter Bauer: DEC’s Revised Approach to Forest Preserve Long Overdue
2022 Catskills Fire Tower Hiking Challenge Getting Underway
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.
Starting January 1st, 2022, visitors are challenged to hike each of the six historic fire towers in the Catskill Park and submit information about their visit at any time during the year to earn recognition and prizes. [Read more…] about 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Hiking Challenge Getting Underway
Salt Survey Planned For Lake Placid, Chubb River Watershed
The Ausable River Association (AsRA) will distribute a salt use survey this winter to residents, businesses, and independent contractors in Lake Placid, Essex County, NY.
Developed with the Adirondack Watershed Institute, the survey hopes to determine the amount of salt entering Mirror Lake and the Chubb River. [Read more…] about Salt Survey Planned For Lake Placid, Chubb River Watershed