Almanack Contributor NYS DEC

NYS DEC

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


Tuesday, October 4, 2022

DEC Recreation Highlight: Sharing Trails with Hunters & Trappers

 

Hunting and trapping seasons are beginning to open throughout New York State. These activities are enjoyed by many as forms of recreation and a means of providing for their families. These activities can also benefit forest ecosystems by helping maintain healthy animal populations while reducing nuisance wildlife issues and, in some cases, decreasing the transmission of wildlife diseases. Whether you are a hunter, trapper, or just enjoy getting outdoors in the fall, learning how to share public lands with other users will help keep you and fellow visitors safe.

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Sunday, October 2, 2022

DEC Announces Start of Several Hunting Seasons Across New York State

On Tuesday, September 27, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the beginning of several hunting seasons in New York, including bowhunting for bear and deer in the Northern and Southern zones and the start of small game hunting seasons statewide.

“This is an exciting time of year for hunters who now have an opportunity to head afield and experience the tremendous hunting opportunities here in New York for both big and small game,” Commissioner Seggos said. “In addition, the late summer weather, fall foliage, and extended hunting hours combine to create outstanding conditions for new and experienced hunters who enjoy the sport.”

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Saturday, October 1, 2022

DEC Finds New Exotic Pest Affecting Elm Trees in St. Lawrence County

On September 26, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that the elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) was detected for the first time in New York State at three locations in St. Lawrence County, including Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area, Brasher State Forest, and Lost Nation State Forest. This exotic pest feeds exclusively on elm trees and can cause severe defoliation, branch dieback, and crown thinning. Although the sawfly has not yet been shown to cause tree mortality, repeated defoliation by established sawfly populations would put added stress on native elm trees already heavily impacted by Dutch elm disease.

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Friday, September 30, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (9/30): Timber harvesting finished at Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement, entire property reopened for public recreation

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

NEW THIS WEEK

Bog River Complex: The Student Conservation Association (SCA) recently completed several improvements to primitive campsites located on Tupper Lake, part of Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest. Improvements to 11 campsites included new campsite numbers on the shoreline, replacement of privies, rebuilt fire rings, and staining of two lean-to’s.

Independence River Wild Forest: Water will be shut off at the Otter Creek Assembly Area the week after Columbus Day weekend.

Black River Wild Forest: Timber harvesting has been completed on the Flatrock Mountain Conservation Easement. The entire property has been re-opened for public recreation.
Sable Highlands Conservation Easement Tract – Barnes Pond Public Use Area: The gate has been opened for hunting season. Use of high clearance vehicles is recommended.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Lost hikers stuck in swamp conditions in Oneida County; unprepared Allen Mountain hikers

forest ranger report

Town of Lake Pleasant
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 23 at 11:15 a.m., Forest Ranger Lieutenant Kerr and Rangers Temple and Thompson responded to an emergency beacon activation in the West Canada Lake Wilderness area. When Ranger Temple reached the Moose River Plains trailhead, a hiker came out of the woods and reported that a hiker in their group had hurt her knee and was slowly making her way back to the trailhead.

The friend was retrieving the injured hiker’s backpack to make the trip easier. Ranger Temple hiked in, found the injured hiker, and determined the 62-year-old from Staten Island had a swollen, but stable, knee. Ranger Temple bandaged the knee for compression purposes and helped the hiker to the trailhead by 2:30 p.m. The subject said she would seek medical treatment on her own.

 

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Tuesday, September 27, 2022

DEC: New fall foliage shuttle begins this weekend, October 1 & 2

fall foliage courtesy roostOctober Shuttle Promotes Public Safety by Providing Free, Convenient Access from North Hudson to Popular Adirondack High Peaks Trailheads

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds visitors to the Adirondacks of the new fall foliage shuttle program starting in October from Frontier Town Gateway in North Hudson to popular trailheads in the High Peaks region. To accommodate visitors seeking fall foliage hikes and views, no-cost shuttles will run the first two weekends in October from the Frontier Town Gateway to the Giant Mountain, Roaring Brook Falls, and Rooster Comb trailheads, as well as the Marcy Field Parking Area.

First announced in July, the new program is a partnership between DEC, Essex County, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), the towns of Keene and North Hudson, and the private owner of Frontier Town Gateway. The shuttle offers hikers the opportunity to experience fall foliage from its best vantage point – on the trail – without the hassle of driving to and parking at busy trailheads.

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Saturday, September 24, 2022

Lake Placid joins state’s 100+ Climate Smart Communities

Village of Lake Placid plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Locally-Driven Actions Continue to Support Nation-Leading Directives in New York’s Climate Act

The newest New York State communities to achieve certification in the Climate Smart Communities Certification (CSC) program were announced earlier this week at a Climate Week event in White Plains.

By taking meaningful actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, eleven local governments successfully met the criteria to be recognized as leaders and become certified in the 2022 third-quarter round of the CSC Certification program. Congratulations to New York’s newest certified Climate Smart Communities:

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Friday, September 23, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (9/23): No overnight camping permitted at trailheads, roadside locations lacking camping disc designations

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

New This Week

Upcoming Road Closure: As you plan upcoming trips, please note that State Route 86 in Ray Brook in the Town of North Elba, Essex County, will be closed just west of the intersection of McKenzie Pond Road (County Route 33) through Friday, Sept. 23, to facilitate the replacement of a large culvert over the Little Ray Brook. During the closure, a detour will be posted for motorists to use McKenzie Pond Route (County Route 33), which becomes Pine Street and River Road in the Village of Saranac Lake, and Route 86.

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Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Rangers locate body of missing subject in Duane, assist with possible spine injury on Otter Creek horse trails

forest ranger reportTown of Watson
Lewis County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 14 at 1 p.m., Forest Rangers responded to the Otter Creek horse trails in the Independence Wild Forest after receiving reports of a subject who was thrown from her horse, suffering a possible spine injury.

Martinsburg Fire Department arrived on scene and secured the 32-year-old from Clarence Center to a back board.

Ranger Evans arrived with a six-wheeler and customized litter carrier to transport the patient to a waiting Lewis County Search and Rescue ambulance. Resources were clear by 1:45 p.m.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, September 19, 2022

DEC announces its Annual Arbor Day Poster Contest

NYS DEC is pleased to announce the start of its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest. Each year, DEC’s Urban and Community Forestry program coordinates the contest to promote the immeasurable value of trees in the environment and New Yorkers’ lives. The winner of the contest will have their photo or artwork reproduced as the 2023 Arbor Day Poster, to commemorate the holiday.

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Sunday, September 18, 2022

DEC: Fall bird migration underway, all regions of NYS Birding Trail completed

Fall Bird Migration is Underway:

Fall migration is an exciting time for birding. With migrants on the move your favorite birding site can change within a few days, with different species traveling in and out. Every spring and fall, thousands of raptors migrate, and birders may see or hear eagles, kestrels, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Ospreys, Broad-winged Hawks, and Peregrine Falcons among others. The NYS Birding Trail highlights several hawk watches including Bear Mountain Hawk Watch at Bear Mountain State Park, Hook Mountain Hawk Watch, and Mount Peter Hawkwatch Trailway, all within the Hudson Valley segment.

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Saturday, September 17, 2022

DEC Recreation Highlight: Plan a Fall Foliage Hike from Frontier Town Gateway

The colors are coming soon, and hiking is one of the best ways to experience fall foliage in the Adirondacks. Enjoy the hikes and views without the hassle of driving and parking. No-cost shuttles will run during peak foliage weekends on Oct. 1 and 2 and again over Indigenous Peoples’/Columbus Day weekend on Oct. 8, 9, and 10 from the Frontier Town Gateway to the Giant Mountain, Roaring Brook Falls, and Rooster Comb trailheads and the Marcy Field Parking Area. These are the same drop-off locations currently offered by the Route 73 Hiker Shuttle (PDF) from Marcy Field, but from an alternate starting point.

The October shuttle will operate in a loop from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Dogs are not permitted on the shuttle, and masks are required. The gateway shuttle stop is conveniently located near the DEC Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian, and Day Use Area.

For more information on planning fall foliage hikes in the Adirondacks, including a list of family-friendly trails ideal for hiking in the spring, summer, and fall, click here. Due to their lower elevation, these hikes are great alternatives during transitions between seasons like mud season in the spring and colder, shorter days in the fall.

Photo at top: DEC photo.


Friday, September 16, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (9/16): St. Lawrence County multi-use trail closed for season

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

New This Week

Grass River Complex:

  • The St. Lawrence County Multi-use Trail, which crosses the Grass River, Long Pond, and Tooley Pond Conservation Easements, closed for the season on September 15.
  • There is an exclusive rights period on the Cranberry Forest Conservation Easement until December 16. The only public uses allowed during this time are the year-round use of the Windfall Road and Buckhorn Road for the sole purpose of accessing the river corridor, and the year-round use of the Dillon Pond Public Use Area.

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Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Rangers assist injured 90-Miler paddler, injured hikers in Hamilton, Essex Counties

forest ranger reportTown of Long Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 8 at 2:45 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a subject with a possible arm fracture near the summit of Coney Mountain. Ranger Praczkajlo made phone contact with the hiker’s companions and suggested the group continue walking down the trail until a Ranger could meet them.

Ranger Milano met up with the group and determined there were two injured parties, but no broken arm. One of the hikers became disoriented due to medication. Rangers helped the hikers to the trailhead and resources were clear at 4:30 p.m.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, September 9, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (9/9): Microburst in Westport & Essex causes significant damage, blowdown in Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest

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

New This Week

Saranac Lake Wild Forest: Sections of the Adirondack Rail Trail between Saranac Lake and Lake Clear will be closed starting the week after Labor Day to allow the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to remove leftover railroad ties from the corridor. Work began on Tuesday, September 6. DOT will incrementally close sections of the trail to allow for the safe movement of equipment and materials. Work is expected to continue through September.

» Continue Reading.



Conditions
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