Bill Widrig, a volunteer with the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program’s Forest Pest Hunters program, was on his way to climb a rock wall on Goodman Mountain, just south of Tupper Lake, when he noticed an all-too-familiar site: the telltale leaf banding of beech leaf disease. [Read more…] about Rock Climber Finds Beech Leaf Disease Near Tupper Lake
Piercefield
Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers spent a busy week rescuing numerous people from backcountry dangers, including: a 77-year-old rescued by helicopter in the Adirondack High Peaks; Lows Lake campers stranded by a violent storm; a teen medical emergency near Cranberry Lake; a capsized boat; an injured cliff jumper on the West Branch Ausable River which included a technical rope rescue; and dehydrated hikers and hikers with lower leg injuries in the Adirondacks and Catskills.
Be sure to eat before hiking and bring plenty of water and extra food that’s high in protein and calories. Read the Ten Hiking Essentials. [Read more…] about Campers Rescued from Violent Storm; Injured Cliff Jumper; Many More Rescues
Rangers Respond to Plane Crash, High Peaks Wildfire & Backcountry Rescues
New York State Forest Rangers had another busy week across the state responding to a plane crash near the Adirondack Rail Trail, several wilderness rescues, and wildfires in the Adirondack High Peaks and in Stony Creek. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Plane Crash, High Peaks Wildfire & Backcountry Rescues
Rare and Fragile Floating Bogs and Fens
New York State is home to several rare and fragile floating bogs and fens. These unique ecosystems feature mats of sphagnum moss and vegetation that actually float over water.
Bogs and fens are both peatlands (wetlands that build up deposits of dead plant matter called peat). The primary difference is their water source: bogs are largely by nutrient-poor rainwater, making them highly acidic. Fens are fed by mineral-rich groundwater, making them alkaline or neutral. [Read more…] about Rare and Fragile Floating Bogs and Fens
Rangers Extinguish Wildfires in Ulster, St. Lawrence Counties
New York York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers battled two small wildfires last week including a small wildfire in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest which was started by an unattended campfire and another in the Hemlock Ridge Multiple Use Area in Ulster County. [Read more…] about Rangers Extinguish Wildfires in Ulster, St. Lawrence Counties
Rangers Rescue Six Hikers, Four Paddlers & Four UTV Riders
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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Rescue Six Hikers, Four Paddlers & Four UTV Riders
5 Separate Rescues at Cranberry Lake; More At Kaaterskill Falls, High Peaks, Black River
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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about 5 Separate Rescues at Cranberry Lake; More At Kaaterskill Falls, High Peaks, Black River
Recent Projects on New York State Lands in the Adirondacks
Throughout 2023, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been improving trails, campsites, access roads and trailhead parking lots on New York State lands. [Read more…] about Recent Projects on New York State Lands in the Adirondacks
SUV Recovered From Crane Pond Rd; 70-Yr-Old & Dog Spend Night in Woods; Hikers, Hunters Rescued
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 SUV Recovered From Crane Pond Rd; 70-Yr-Old & Dog Spend Night in Woods; Hikers, Hunters Rescued
African Americans of St. Lawrence County
From its origins as part of New France through the Civil War and eventual industrialization of the region, St. Lawrence County has been shaped by all too often overlooked Black families and individuals. In African Americans of St. Lawrence County (Arcadia, 2023) author Bryan S. Thompson reveals the history of the African American community in this part of Northern New York. [Read more…] about African Americans of St. Lawrence County
Comments Sought on Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easements
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced they are seeking public comment on a draft recreation management plan (RMP) for the Conifer-Emporium Tract Conservation Easement in the towns of Clifton, Colton, and Piercefield, St. Lawrence County. The public comment period for the draft RMP is open until July 14th, 2023. [Read more…] about Comments Sought on Conifer-Emporium Conservation Easements
Rehabilitation of Lows Lake Lower Dam Has Begun
The gate on the access road leading to the Bog River Dam, also known as Lows Lake Lower Dam, in the town of Piercefield, St. Lawrence County, closed December 6th, to allow for construction to maintain the Adirondack dam. [Read more…] about Rehabilitation of Lows Lake Lower Dam Has Begun