Find Your Adventure - July 2023 |
Campgrounds Day Kudos!
On Saturday, July 8, volunteers state-wide celebrated their favorite state-managed campgrounds at Campgrounds Day. With 13 DEC and State Parks campground facilities across the state, Campgrounds Day, hosted in partnership with Parks & Trails NY, brought volunteers together for an immersive day of stewardship. Volunteers and staff participated in cleanup, improvement, and beautification projects, including bluebird and bat box construction, campsite cleanup, gardening projects, and more. Thank you to all those who attended and joined the movement to Love Our New York Lands. To encourage year-round stewardship, DEC, State Parks, and Parks & Trails NY will launch additional volunteer opportunities as part of the Love Our New York Lands campaign. Stay tuned for future updates and event dates! New: Unsupervised Swimming at DEC Campgrounds
New to the 2023 camping season, DEC has transitioned to unsupervised swimming at campground beaches. Campers and day-users at campgrounds will be able to enjoy the beaches at all DEC campgrounds without potential closures. Beaches will continue to be maintained and patrolled by campground staff. Lifeguards will continue to be on duty at DEC’s Lake George (Million Dollar) Beach and Hinckley Reservoir Day Use areas, which are primarily used for swimming. Learn more about safe swimming on DEC's website. For visitors interested in lifeguarded beaches, New York State Parks operates campgrounds and other beaches across the state and offers a wide spectrum of experiences for residents and visitors alike. Be Safe and Sustainable this Summer
With summer in full swing, many visitors are heading to popular state lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves to experience fun and excitement. To help preserve these lands and experiences, DEC encourages all visitors to recreate safely and sustainably this summer through the Love Our New York Lands campaign. While enjoying state lands, consider the following:
Celebrate Latino Conservation Week
This July 15-23, celebrate Latino Conservation Week! Organized by the Hispanic Access Foundation, Latino Conservation Week shines a spotlight on members of the Latinx community getting outdoors through a series of natural resource protection activities across the country. Learn more about Latino Conservation Week, the Hispanic Access Foundation, and find event an event near you. Photo Caption: Members of Latino Outdoors enjoying a Latino Conservation Week fishing clinic with DEC staff in New York City in 2022. Join the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
Looking for something fun to plan for this summer vacation? Consider the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge! To enter, visit all six Catskill Fire Towers within the 2023 calendar year and submit an online or paper (PDF) hike log along with a favorite photo from your adventure. All participants will receive a challenge patch, as well as a chance to win various outdoor prizes. Repeat finishers who have completed a past Catskill Fire Tower Challenge will also be awarded a commemorative mug. For a bonus entry, submit a photo practicing Leave No Trace™ while out on your hikes. Make sure to plan ahead and prepare for your journey by learning more about the challenge and hikes and deciding when the best time is for you, your family, friends, or hiking companions to hit the trails! Upcoming Events:Thurs. July 13: Early Morning Birding at Five Rivers (Albany County) |
Introducing: The Division of Consumer Protection
Being an informed consumer empowers you to make the right choices when spending your money. The Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) can help you avoid scams and save money.
First, check out these Consumer Alerts and Product Recalls to stay up-to-date on recent products marked unsafe and circulating scams.
Other tools to explore:
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The Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) is Now Available
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 08/02/2023 04:39 PM EDT
The Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) is now available at: |
August 2023 Outdoor Discovery |
Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count
Do you ever wonder what lurks beneath the surface of the Hudson River? Join naturalists on Saturday, August 5 for the 12th Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count to find out! The count takes place at 11 sites along the banks and piers of the Hudson from New York City to the Capital Region. During this family-friendly, free event, participants are invited to explore the amazing variety of slippery, wriggly, and fascinating creatures usually hidden below the river’s surface. You can watch from shore or jump into available waterproof waders and help pull in the net. The fish are released after everyone has a chance to see them up close.
Freshwater upriver and salty at New York City, the Hudson River’s estuary and watershed are home to more than 220 fish species. For details on sites and times, please visit The Great Hudson River Fish Count website. The event is sponsored by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. Ride the CDTA Nature Bus to Five Rivers
In partnership with the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC), DEC, and others, CDTA is providing free bus service between the City of Albany and Five Rivers Environmental Education Center every other Saturday from May 27 through October 14 this year. Ride the bus and enjoy the adventure! Go to MHLC's Nature Bus webpage for detailed information and links to the route map and schedule. This year, we're delighted to include a stop at the trailhead for the new Fisher Trail, in addition to our stop at the visitor center. Stay Tick Free!
The ticks are out in full force this year. Be sure to follow these recommendations to stay tick-free:
Check out DEC's website for additional tips for tick prevention. Visit the New Accessible Cove Road Boat Launch
DEC recently announced the completion of a new boat launch on the Barge Canal at Cover Road in the town of Verona, Oneida County. The newly constructed Oneida Lake launch enhances fishing and boating recreational opportunities for all visitors, including people with disabilities. The site now includes a two-lane, concrete launch ramp with floating docks, canoe/kayak launch, fishing pier, parking area with 24 car and 49 car/trailer spaces, including some accessible parking, and port-a-johns. DEC Seeking Reports of Moose Sightings
DEC is asking the public to report moose sightings via an online form as part of ongoing efforts to monitor moose distribution across New York State. While the Adirondacks are home to most New York moose, some live in the eastern part of the state along the Vermont and Massachusetts borders. Moose can also occasionally be found in southeastern New York and the Catskills, but these are usually individuals that have dispersed from other areas. Moose are the largest land mammal in the state. In the summer, when most sightings occur, moose typically spend a lot of time in ponds and wetlands feeding on submerged aquatic plants. Bulls can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder. Cows weigh anywhere from 500 to 800 pounds and usually give birth to one or two calves in late May or early June. Many moose sightings occur along roadways. Drive cautiously at dusk and dawn, as moose can be hard to spot due to their dark color. If you manage to capture one of these magnificent mammals on camera, share your photos by sending them to Photo Courtesy of G. Lee Upcoming EventsBe sure to check out DEC's wide selection of outdoor activities on our events calendar. View upcoming activities or all the planned events currently scheduled, including public hearings and meetings. For specific information about upcoming events at DEC’s environmental education centers, visit the following links: Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany County) Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center (Erie County) Rogers Environmental Education Center (Chenango County) Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County) Check Out Our Facebook Live EventsVisit DEC’s Facebook page for updates and to view our Facebook Live offerings. From adventures at fish hatcheries and nighttime hikes to Q&As about black bears, there is always something to see and learn. Check Out the Redesigned Conservationist!
In the redesigned August/September issue of the Conservationist, readers can learn about DEC’s contributions to the efforts to extinguish the ongoing wildfires in Canada and protect our lives and natural resources. In addition, readers will learn about an innovative partnership focused on science and engineering education that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion of students in historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities. Readers can also learn about the sharks that inhabit New York’s waters and how they are an integral part of our marine ecosystems. Or, how hunters can help protect wildlife and people by switching to non-lead ammunition. Finally, readers can learn how prescribed fire plays an important role in managing wildlife habitat and protecting property by preventing out-of-control wildfires. All this and more in the latest issue of the Conservationist. Visit DEC's website to subscribe, or call 1-518-402-8047. We now also offer a digital-only subscription for just $6 a year. |
DEC Updates Oak Wilt Emergency Orders for Ontario and Yates Counties |
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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced changes to oak wilt emergency orders in Yates and Ontario counties to reflect recent surveys for this invasive fungal disease. Emergency orders establish protective zones and quarantine districts around infections and prohibit the movement of oak and firewood out of the infected areas to help manage the spread of the fungus that causes the disease. Oak wilt is an invasive fungal disease that blocks the flow of water and nutrients from the tree roots to the crown, causing the leaves to wilt and fall off, usually killing the tree. Oak wilt is spread above ground by beetles and below ground through tree roots. For more information on oak wilt, visit DEC's website. Emergency orders are updated to include new detections and remove locations no longer showing signs of the disease. Through aerial and ground inspections, DEC Division of Lands and Forests staff confirmed additional areas of oak wilt in the town of Bristol, Ontario County, and the town of Italy, Yates County. Emergency Orders remain in effect in the towns of Bristol, South Bristol, Middlesex, and Italy in DEC's Region 8. For more than six years, oak wilt was not detected in the town of Canandaigua, Ontario County; DEC is repealing the Emergency Order in place in that area. DEC recommends avoiding pruning or wounding oak trees in the spring and summer (April - August) when spore mats are present and beetles are the most active. If an oak wound occurs, it should be sealed immediately with latex paint. This will deter beetles from landing in those areas, reducing the risk of oak wilt spreading. Oak trees support more organisms than any other native North American tree. Oak trees provide food and protection to a variety of wildlife, from birds to bears, as well as numerous insects. Prevention and early detection are critical to combating the spread of oak wilt. DEC will conduct aerial surveillance throughout the region during July. Property owners will be contacted if oak wilt is suspected on their property. DEC encourages anyone that suspects oak wilt in DEC Region 8 to contact Brice June, Supervising Forester, Division of Lands and Forest, at (585) 226-5330 or |
DEC Job Postings |
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The Listing of Job Vacancies on DEC's public website has been updated. The current vacancy list can be found online at: |
Scale models and the enthusiasts who build them will be on hand Sunday August 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the New York Museum of Transportation hosts members of the ROC City Scale Modelers.The work on display will include planes, ships, military armor, autos, and even space and science fiction. The ROC City club members will be sharing tips for beginners and more advanced modelers on paints, tools, and techniques to create realism in models and dioramas.Rides on a vintage trolley car are included with admission and there are five departures: 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. The museum includes a large model railroad, steam locomotive, several full-size trolley cars, a fire truck, Greyhound bus, and the Midtown Plaza Monorail.The family friendly museum admission including the model show and the trolley ride is $10 adults, $9 seniors 65+, $6 youths age 3 - 12. Under age 3 are free.
DEC Updates Great Lakes Action Agenda to Guide Restoration, Protection, and Revitalization of New York's Great Lakes Region |
Strategic Action Plan Advances Efforts to Safeguard Water Quality, Improve Habitats for Fish and Wildlife, Manage Invasive Species, Promote Sustainability, and Enhance Resilience to Climate ChangeThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released an updated New York's Great Lakes Action Agenda (GLAA) 2023, a strategic, ecosystem-based action plan to guide restoration and conservation and foster sustainable, resilient communities in New York's Great Lakes region. The GLAA advances a wide range of efforts to safeguard water quality, improve habitats for fish and wildlife, manage invasive species, promote sustainability, and enhance community resilience to climate change. The region spans more than 40 percent of New York State's land area and includes Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and contributing watersheds. "The updated Great Lakes Action Agenda builds on the strong partnerships established under the first Agenda released in 2014, which is helping guide the successful implementation of projects to benefit the region's environment, public health, and economy," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. "The Great Lakes Action Agenda sustains and strengthens DEC's collaborative relationships with federal, State, and local partners and ensures present and future generations are able to enjoy the Great Lakes for years to come." The updated GLAA integrates new actions to advance New York's priorities to implement natural and nature-based resilience measures, protect drinking water sources, and address emerging contaminants. New cross-cutting priorities reflect New York's commitment to inclusion and engagement of diverse stakeholders and historically underserved and disadvantaged communities. The GLAA also includes new metrics to evaluate implementation progress and improvements in environmental conditions over time. The updated Action Agenda is available on the DEC website. Building on the foundation of the first GLAA released in 2014, the updated plan provides a shared vision and blueprint for achieving healthy Great Lakes lands and waters through coordinated, collective action by the many federal, state, and local partner organizations working throughout the watershed. The GLAA is funded by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), under the Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act, and is administered through DEC's Great Lakes Program with collaborating stakeholders and partners. The EPF is a critical resource for environmental programs such as climate change mitigation, land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. Among the many environmental victories in the 2023-24 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul maintained EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history. The release of the updated GLAA coincides with the development of the fourth federal action plan for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which will guide federal restoration and protection investments in the region through 2029. Since 2010, nearly $270 million in GLRI funding has been secured for Great Lakes projects in New York State. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting an in-person public engagement session in Rochester tonight, July 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. The session will be held at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester. The session is an opportunity for interested stakeholders to learn more about the GLRI and its action plan that guides EPA's restoration and protection priorities, and to provide input on key priorities that support New York's GLAA. More information on the GLRI and this event is available at the Great Lakes Restoration website. Comments or questions can be shared with EPA by emailing DEC's Great Lakes Program will also be hosting public engagement workshops and sub-basin work group meetings within New York's Great Lakes sub-basins to facilitate additional partnerships, support local priorities for implementation, and engage with underserved and environmental justice areas to benefit from GLAA implementation. To learn more and to get involved with regional sub basin work groups to support implementation, contact |
DEC Job Postings |
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The Listing of Job Vacancies has been updated for the coming week. It includes positions for a Radio Dispatcher with Ray Brook's Division of Forest Protection, a Research Scientist with Albany's Division of Water, and more. Check out the job specifics via the link below and apply today! The current vacancy list can be found online at: |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18 RG&E Customer Service Representatives to Assist Customers at the Gantt R-Center Wednesday. Company’s “Summer Series” continues bringing customer service directly to the community Energy efficiency kits will be provided to customers ROCHESTER, N.Y. — July 18 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) continues to bring customer service to the community. On Wednesday, July 19, the utility returns to the location of its first customer service pop-up event, the David F. Gantt Recreation Center. RG&E will have customer service representatives and advocates on site. They will support customers by addressing needs, answering billing questions, and providing information on assistance programs. Limited energy efficiency kits will also be handed out. The schedule for Wednesday’s event is below:
Wednesday, July 19 David F. Gantt Recreation Center 700 North St., Rochester 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This marks RG&E’s seventh “Summer Series” event, bringing customer service directly to neighborhoods throughout June and July. The Company will host customer service pop-up events with local government and community organizations across the Rochester region throughout the summer. # # # About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com.
The iconic life sized mural of an interurban trolley car has been a familiar part of the identity of the New York Museum of Transportation for decades. As part of the museum's celebration of its 50th anniversary, the mural is getting its paint redone. Joining the party is Patty Hormeier who was part of the original painting crew so many years ago.According to Michael Storey, former director of the museum, the work is planned for Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16.The trolley car depicted in the mural is one that actually exists and is in the museum. A century ago, Rochester & Eastern's car 157 traveled at high speed between Rochester and Geneva, NY, with stops in Pittsford, Victor, Canandaigua and intermediate points.Interurban trolley cars were luxurious alternatives to steam railroads, and they were cleaner and quieter too. Museum visitors can view car 157 resplendent in its dark green paint and gold leaf striping, and imagine the unique chapter in area transportation history known as the interurban era.The New York Museum of Transportation is open Sundays only, 11 to 4, but Patty and her crew will be happy to have people stop by to view her progress on the mural. The museum is located at 6393 East River Road in Rush, just 20 minutes from Rochester.
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