New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Suffolk County

Despite Statewide Decline, DEC Expands Wild Turkey Hunting on Long Island

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Turkey by Gordon EllmersNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced changes to wild turkey hunting regulations that will provide hunters additional hunting opportunities on Long Island.

This despite the fact that turkey populations in New York State peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s and over the past decade, turkey productivity has consistently been below average, leading to lower populations. [Read more…] about Despite Statewide Decline, DEC Expands Wild Turkey Hunting on Long Island

Poachers Using Nets Face Charges in Suffolk, Sullivan Counties

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Over-the-limit menhaden, short fluke, and undersized crab haulsAccording to a press release issued by DEC, on August 17th, NYS Environmental Conservation Officers Dickson and Pabes responded to the Captree Fishing Pier at Captree State Park in Suffolk County on Long Island after receiving reports of anglers using nets to catch undersized crabs and other species. [Read more…] about Poachers Using Nets Face Charges in Suffolk, Sullivan Counties

Man Faces Charges For Killing Protected Osprey

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deceased osprey courtesy DECAccording to a press release issued by DEC, on August 3rd, Environmental Conservation Officer CO Small responded to a call from Suffolk County Police about a resident in Port Jefferson who had heard gunshots just prior to seeing a large bird fall out of a tree. [Read more…] about Man Faces Charges For Killing Protected Osprey

Nearly $1M Awarded in Community Forest Conservation Grants

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Cunningham Community Forest in Chestertown, NY (courtesy Town of Chester)New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced more than $956,000 in awards to four towns in western and central New York and Long Island to establish community forests.

Protecting forests from potential development and establishing new forested areas helps preserve biodiversity and safeguard the ecosystem benefits forests provide, such as storm water mitigation, temperature regulation, carbon sequestration, and climate resiliency. In addition, community forests bring community benefits by creating new opportunities for public access and recreation. [Read more…] about Nearly $1M Awarded in Community Forest Conservation Grants

Under Threat: James Brooks / Charlotte Park Home & Studios, East Hampton

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Brook Studio courtesy Preservation League of New York StateThe Brooks-Park Home & Studios in East Hampton on Long Island is an important physical link to the Abstract Expressionist Art movement and the artists who made it their home.

Artists James Brooks and Charlotte Park were at the forefront of the Abstract Expressionist art movement of the 1940s and 50s. James Brooks in particular is especially is well known for painting the largest site-specific Works Progress Administration (WPA) wall mural, in the landmarked interior of the Marine Terminal at New York’s La Guardia Airport. [Read more…] about Under Threat: James Brooks / Charlotte Park Home & Studios, East Hampton

History Plaque Installed At Hashamomuck Marine Waterway Access Site

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new plaque honoring the Reiter familyThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has unveiled a plaque and planted a tree to recognize the family of Carl D. and Helen Reiter, whose contribution in their names made possible the new Hashamomuck Marine Waterway Access Site in Southold, Suffolk County.

The site, opened last June, is DEC’s first and only unrestricted Waterway Access Site on the Peconic Bay and will provide public fishing and recreational boating access to this popular waterbody. [Read more…] about History Plaque Installed At Hashamomuck Marine Waterway Access Site

Art of Edward Lange Project Launched With Website, Events

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Edward Lange, [Northport, Lower Main Street], 1880 from the Collection of Preservation Long IslandPreservation Long Island has announced the Art of Edward Lange Project, a collaborative effort to reexamine the life and art of Edward Lange (1846–1912), a German immigrant and prolific landscape painter who worked in and around Huntington, Long Island during the 1870s and 1880s. Lange sketched and painted town centers, local businesses, and private residences. [Read more…] about Art of Edward Lange Project Launched With Website, Events

Early Auto Racing in New York

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a new york minute in history podcastOn this episode of A New York Minute in History, Devin and Lauren discuss a recently installed William G. Pomeroy marker recognizing a 1900 auto race in Suffolk County, New York, and the importance of racing in automobile history.

Was that race to Babylon really the first of its kind in the United States? And how did Watkins Glen International get its start? [Read more…] about Early Auto Racing in New York

Horrific Homicides & Long Island Judge Thomas Stark

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long island history project logoThomas M. Stark served as a judge in Suffolk County and New York State beginning in the early 1960s.

During his career he presided over a number of important cases but the one that loomed largest was the murder of the DeFeo family at their home in Amityville by their son Ronald in 1974. Stark’s daughter Ellen remembers hearing about the case over dinner while the rest of the world remembers it as the Amityville Horror case. [Read more…] about Horrific Homicides & Long Island Judge Thomas Stark

Long Island Section of NYS Birding Trail Goes Live

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Long Island NYS Birding TrailDEC has announced the grand opening of the Long Island segment of the New York State Birding Trail. The Long Island segment includes 20 locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. [Read more…] about Long Island Section of NYS Birding Trail Goes Live