Almanack Contributor NYS DEC

Information attributed to NYSDEC is taken from press releases and news announcements from New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation.


Tuesday, September 5, 2023

DEC: Help monarch butterflies on their long migration south 

Monarch butterfly after it emerged from a chrysalis.

Monarch butterflies  (Danaus plexippus) begin their annual fall migration around mid-August. These butterflies are the great-great-grandchildren of the monarchs that migrated to Mexico last fall.   You can help monarchs by providing food (nectar) and keeping those areas protected:

  • Turn a portion of your lawn into a wildflower meadow—plant milkweed or other native wildflowers.
  • Delay mowing areas with milkweed until later in the fall.
  • Avoid using herbicides—they kill all life-stages of monarchs (egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult).
  • Report sightings of adults online. View a map of the sightings so far this year.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, September 2, 2023

ADK Park: Environmental Conservation Police News

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 2022, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responded to more than 25,600 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 13,800 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

Injured Eagle – Essex County
On Aug. 17, ECO Nicols received a report of a downed bald eagle at a private residence in the town of Westport. The officer met with the property owners (who were keeping a watchful eye on the bird prior to the ECO’s arrival) and set out to try and catch it.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 1, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (9/1): Hikers should prepare for wet trails, wear shoes with good tread

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

  • No New Updates

LAST WEEK

  • Adirondack Rail Trail – The section of the trail in Saranac Lake, stretching from Route 86 to North Country Community College is undergoing paving beginning 8/18. During this time, it will be unsafe for recreational use. The public should refrain from using this section of the trail during the construction period. Pavement will be used on this short section of high-use trail in order to provide a consistent surface throughout the village.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, August 31, 2023

Recreationists urged to share trails, Leave No Trace this holiday weekend

A hiking trail in the Adirondacks

Holiday weekends are a convenient time for everyone to explore outside. But with more people on the trail, it’s important to share them properly. Be considerate of others and follow these tips so that everyone has a great time outside this Labor Day weekend.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Wanted Gloversville fugitive found camping near Chubb Lake

forest ranger reportTown of Arietta
Hamilton County
Fugitive Search: For the last five months, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kerr and Rangers Hamm, Nally, and Thompson assisted the U.S. Marshals Service in the search for a wanted fugitive from Gloversville. The 35-year-old had been living in the woods on state land with minimal outside contact. On August 22 while on patrol, Rangers Hamm and Thompson spotted the subject camping near Chubb Lake.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, August 29, 2023

DEC Invasive Species Feature: Elm Zigzag Sawfly

The elm zigzag sawfly can most easily be identified by their unique zig-zag feeding pattern.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is spreading awareness about the exotic insect pest called the elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda.) Please see below for information on how to identify the insect, locations in New York where it can be found, how the pest is affecting forests, DEC efforts to research/help manage the situation, and how others can participate in the process.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, August 25, 2023

Outdoor conditions: Flooding on Croghan Tract

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

  • Watson’s East Triangle Wild Forest – The Croghan Tract Conservation Easement Main Haul Road is temporarily closed to public motorized use due to washouts caused by a recent rain event. The closure also impacts access to portions of Pepperbox Wilderness Area accessed through the easement property. The property remains open for public use, but visitors will need to park prior to the gate.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, August 25, 2023

Rangers, wildland firefighters deployed to help contain wildfires in Idaho and Montana

DEC engineers returned to New York on July 26, after spending a week in Vermont performing expedited visual safety inspections on non-hydroelectric and non-federally licensed dams following historic flooding.

Latest DEC Out-of-State Staff Deployment as DEC Water Engineers Return From Dam Safety Inspections in Vermont Following Floods

On Aug. 7, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that DEC Forest Rangers and expert wildland firefighters were being deployed to assist with efforts to contain the Ridge Creek Fire in the Idaho panhandle and the Niarada Fire in northwestern Montana. The latest Forest Ranger deployments come as a team of DEC engineers recently returned from performing dam safety inspections in Vermont after being directed by Governor Kathy Hochul to assist in the recovery from the devastating flooding that inundated the Northeast last month.

New York State often deploys highly trained wildland firefighters to help battle wildfires as part of interstate and international firefighting compacts. The DEC Forest Ranger assisting in Montana will serve as a Task Force Leader and help coordinate the response to a fire that is currently estimated at 10,400 acres and zero percent contained. The fire on Bureau of Indian Affairs lands 12 miles west of Elmo, Montana, is currently threatening several structures. A pair of Rangers are also deploying to Idaho to assist with efforts to contain the Ridge Creek Fire north of Coeur D’alene.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Rangers locate 3 hikers lost on Dix Range, hundreds attend funeral of Colonel David Cornell

forest ranger reportTown of North Hudson
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On Aug 16 at 8:50 a.m., nine Forest Rangers responded to a call for three missing hikers on the Dix Range who were supposed to meet the rest of their hiking party the night before at the Slide Brook lean-to. The teenagers from Troy, West Sand Lake, and Wynantskill were well-trained hikers with headlamps, food, water, a map, and a compass.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, August 18, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (8/18): Section of Adirondack Rail Trail to be paved, unsafe for use during construction

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

  • Adirondack Rail Trail – The section of the trail in Saranac Lake, stretching from Route 86 to North Country Community College is undergoing paving beginning 8/18. During this time, it will be unsafe for recreational use. The public should refrain from using this section of the trail during the construction period. Pavement will be used on this short section of high-use trail in order to provide a consistent surface throughout the village.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Man injured in Trap Dike fall

forest ranger reportTown of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 9 at 11:20 a.m., Forest Rangers responded to a call for a hiker with an injured ankle approximately 1.4 miles in on the Watch Hill Trail. Rangers reached the 69-year-old from Gansevoort in less than an hour. With the help of Indian Lake Rescue, Rangers provided care and packaged the subject to carry her to the beach. From there, Ranger Miller transported the subject by boat to the Indian Lake Islands Campground. Indian Lake EMS drove the patient to the hospital at 2:20 p.m.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, August 11, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (8/11): High-water and muddy trails advisory in effect in ADKs

outdoor conditions logoThe following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

  • Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest – Cheney Road in North Hudson will be closed 8/14 and 8/15 to prep for road work. The road will close again the following week (dates TBA) to finish construction.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Two people hit by lightning at Follensby Clear Pond

forest ranger report

Town of Hope
Hamilton County
Law Enforcement: On July 29 at 9 p.m., while patrolling Wilcox Lake Wild Forest, Forest Ranger Nally stopped a truck driving illegally on State land. The driver provided his name and date of birth, but due to poor radio and cell service, Ranger Nally couldn’t check it until back in communication range. At that time, Ranger Nally learned the license plate didn’t match the subject’s personal information. Ranger Nally returned the next day to check the license plate again and learned the subject had active felony warrants out of Virginia. Rangers Kerr and Nally arrested the fugitive and turned him over to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. The subject was also issued tickets for illegal motor vehicle use on State land and depositing rubbish on State land.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, August 7, 2023

Community Forest Conservation Grants available

DEC is excited to announce Round 2 of the Community Forest Conservation Grant! This grant opportunity aims to provide municipalities with financial assistance in purchasing forest land for the purpose of creating community forests. Community forests can provide many benefits:two people hike in the forest in the fall

  • Wildlife habitat;
  • Flood mitigation;
  • Recreational opportunities;
  • Boosting mental health; and
  • Improving air and water quality.

In addition, community forests help meet the state’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals outlined in New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

For more information, visit the Community Forest Conservation Grant webpage, or email Molly Hassett with any questions.


Friday, August 4, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (8/4) – Marcy Brook Lean-to being repaired

outdoor conditions logo

High Peaks Wilderness – Starting Thursday, July 27, Marcy Brook Lean-to will be unavailable for use. The lean-to is being repaired over several weekends by the Adirondack 46ers Volunteers. Campers can utilize existing tent sites across the hiking trail from the lean-to or camp at nearby lean-tos.

A high-water and muddy trails advisory is in effect until further notice: Recent heavy rains have washed out numerous roads, bridges, and trails. The extent of damage is still being assessed. More thunderstorms bringing potential heavy rain are forecast throughout the remainder of the week. Users are advised to:

  • avoid recreating near and in streams and rivers due to fast-moving currents and floating debris.
  • avoid high-elevation trails to protect the thin soils and fragile habitats until things dry out and harden.

» Continue Reading.



Conditions
Conditions

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