Try Paddling this Summer!

New York has more than 7,500 lakes, ponds and reservoirs and more than 70,000 miles of rivers and streams for canoes, kayaks, and rafts to explore. Paddling is a great way to enjoy the outdoors at your own pace, to view mountains and watch wildlife on the shore. If you have your own equipment, head to the towns of Hancock, Fish's Eddy or Deposit to enter the Delaware River where hand launches are available. Tully Lake in Tully, Onondaga County also features a hand launch at Labrador Pond. No equipment? Most of DEC's campgrounds also have recreation areas (day use areas) for the public to enjoy with swimming and boat rentals. Check out Mongaup Pond's canoe and rowboat rentals in the Catskills with a scenic view of Slide Mountain. Plan your next paddling adventure today!

A More Accessible Adirondacks for Everyone

A new playground and paved road have been completed at the Ausable Point Campground in Clinton County. The new natural wood "Bears" playground is designed for children ages 5-12 and includes slides, bridges, climbing walls, a nearby swing set, and bouncy rides surrounded by a soft, woodchip covered surface. Ausable Point Campground features 123 campsites along the shores of Lake Champlain.

A 1.3-mile seasonal access road in the town of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County is now open to public motor vehicle use on the Santa Clara Conservation Easement Tract. The road provides access for people of all abilities to Dexter Lake and Lake Ozonia Outlet for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, paddling and more recreational activities. Find your next Adirondack adventure.

New and Expanded Efforts to Promote Sustainable Tourism in the Adirondack Park

DEC announced a multi-year effort to improve public safety and natural resource protection that began the week of the July 4th holiday. Areas including the High Peaks, Dix, Giant and Hurricane Wilderness, Baxter Mountain, and the Saranac Lake 6'er peaks are attracting an unprecedented number of users. This past winter, DEC held four focus group meetings in partnership with the towns of Keene and North Elba that included a wide range of stakeholders, to generate ideas and information to support recommendations to address challenges in the High Peaks region and Route 73 corridor.

The first phase of actions includes:

• Striping parking spots in designated parking lots
• Increasing the number of portable bathrooms
• Installing kiosks along the corridor that provide information on alternate hiking opportunities
• Installing electronic variable messaging boards directing hikers to the kiosksLaunching, a social media campaign to highlight experiences outside of the High Peaks

Learn more about DEC's efforts.

Visit the State Fair and Try Fishing for Free!

The Great New York State Fair will take place August 22nd - September 3rd 2018 in Syracuse.

This year, the Fair is hosting Family Fishing Days on Thursday, August 23 and Sunday, August 26. Admission is free for anyone presenting a valid New York State sporting license at the gate.

Family Fishing Days is presented in cooperation with DEC, who will operate free fishing clinics in the pond from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the New York Experience festival grounds. Everything you need is provided, including equipment and bait.

Advance ticket sales are going on now! Don't forget to visit the popular DEC aquarium where visitors can see fish, talk to a Ranger or Environmental Conservation Officer, and more.

Don't Forget About I Bird NY Challenges this Summer

Have fun finding common birds and get a chance to win prizes with I Bird NY! Take part in one of two birding challenges - DEC's Beginner Birding Challenge (PDF) for those under 16 years of age, and the Experienced Birder Challenge (PDF) if you are already a birder. Challenges are open now through September 15th, 2018.

New York Artificial Reef Program Expands Outdoor Recreation Activities

New York has announced the largest artificial reef expansion in state history that will enhance 12 artificial reef sites. As materials for the reefs settle on the sea floor, the reef structure will begin to fill with marine life, building recreational opportunities and creating a habitat for fish, lobster and crabs. The reefs will increase marine fish populations, giving a boost to local economies and tourism for fishing and diving. Check out the brochure (PDF) outlining this expansion. You can also learn more by going to DEC's webpage on artificial reefs.

Upcoming Events

Five Rivers Summer Family Fun Programs July 24-27 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., July 31 - Aug 3 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. & Aug 7-10 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Hiking & Wildlife Viewing

Reinstein Woods: Woods Walk: Nature Guide's Choice -  July 21 at 11 a.m.
Reinstein Woods: Birding 101 Class #7 - July 21 at 2:30 p.m.
Reinstein Woods: Bird Watching Walk - July 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Reinstein Woods: Full ""Buck"" Moon Walk - July 26 at 8 p.m.
Azure Mountain Centennial Celebration  - July 29, 2018 at 10 a.m.
Reinstein Woods: Woods Walk Nature Guide's Choice - Aug 4 at 1 p.m.
Reinstein Woods: Senior Stroll - Aug 15 at 10 a.m.

Free I FISH NY Clinics

July 19: Town of Islip Fishing Clinics: Brookwood Hall Park (Knapp's Lake) 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
July 21: Steinmetz Park Family Fun Day, Schenectady 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
July 21: I Fish NY: Chestnut Ridge Park 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
July 25th: Drop in Hudson:  Ernest L. Lasher Memorial Park (Hudson River), Germantown 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
July 31st: #MomsFishNY - Six Mile Waterworks, Colonie 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
August 1: Drop in Hudson!: Henry Hudson Riverfront Park (Hudson River), Hudson 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
August 4: Hempstead Summer Fishing Clinic 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
August 9: Town of Islip Fishing Clinics:  Brookwood Hall Park (Knapp's Lake), East Islip 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
August 11: Webster Pond Free Fishing Weekend 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
August 15: Corey Beach Crabbing and Fishing Clinic 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
August 15: Drop in Hudson!: Nutten Hook (Hudson River), Stuyvesant  11 a.m. - 2 p.m.