National Hunting and Fishing Day - September 22

In May 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation for National Hunting and Fishing Day, urging …all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.

State and local organizations subsequently held free hunting and fishing-related events, introducing millions of Americans to traditional outdoor sports. Now celebrated on the fourth Saturday of every September, National Hunting and Fishing Day remains the most effective grassroots effort to promote outdoor sports and conservation.

National Public Lands Day - 25th Annual Celebration on September 22

National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for America's public lands. For those who enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting and exploring America's public lands, it's a great opportunity to give back by helping to build trails, clean campgrounds, restore riparian areas and otherwise serve as stewards at thousands of sites across the country.

Hudson River Valley Ramble

The Hudson River Valley Ramble celebrates the history, culture and natural resources of the Hudson River valley, as well as the amazing landscape, communities and trails throughout the region. The Ramble takes place every weekend in September.
Events will include challenging hikes, bike rides and paddles; a family festival; and tours of historic sites. From guided geology hikes to historic walking tours, there are activities for every ability level during this month-long event.

Visit the Hudson River Valley Ramble events page for more information and to register for events.

Watchable Wildlife: Fall Festivals at Ed Centers

Head to one of DEC’s Environmental Education Centers on September 15th for the Annual Fall Festivals. The 37th Annual Fall Festival at Five Rivers EEC (Albany County) runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. with hands-on activities, interpretive walks and opportunities to meet live hawks, owls, snakes and turtles up close and personal. Meet Smokey Bear, cast for “backyard bass,” and enjoy staffed exhibits from a wide range of local conservation partners...all absolutely free of charge!

At Reinstein Woods EEC (Erie County), the 18th Annual Fall Festival begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. This year's festival features a "Sustainable Earth" theme! There will be interactive exhibits, a pond exploration zone and a wildlife spotter’s challenge. Join an organized hike with a park ranger and a talk about pollinators at the beehive. Bring an old t-shirt to turn into a reusable shopping bag.

A donation to Friends of Reinstein Woods is gratefully requested at the door to cover festival expenses.

Cheer on Adirondack Canoe Classic – The 90 Miler

Each September, hundreds of canoers start in Old Forge and follow the “original highways of the Adirondacks” to Saranac Lake – a 90-mile trip. They travel along inter-connected lakes, rivers and ponds during the 3-day event. Cheer them on along the way! The event runs from Friday, September 7th to Sunday, September 9th.

Nature Notes

When traveling between waterbodies in a boat, it is often necessary to get out and carry (portage) your canoe or kayak. Today, many canoes and kayaks are lightweight, but the original boaters had to carry heavy boats over land to navigate the Adirondacks.

Upcoming DEC Events

Family Fun: Back to School Blast, 9/8 at 2 p.m., Five Rivers EEC

Family Nature Quest: Turtles, 9/8 at 10:30 a.m., Reinstein Woods EEC

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs: A Window into True Bugs, 9/22 at 2 p.m., Five Rivers EEC

New York Power Authority Wildlife Festivals, 9/22 at 10 a.m., Lewiston, Utica, Hawkins Point and Blenheim/Gilboa Plants

Sea Fest Festival, 9/22 at 12 p.m., Bay Shore Marina, Islip

Hunting Seasons
Early Bowhunting Deer Season – Northern Zone, 9/27
Early Black Bear Season – Southern Zone, 9/8
Early Black Bear Season -- Northern Zone, 9/15
Black Bear Bowhunting Season – Northern Zone, 9/15
Gray, Black and Fox Squirrel- Upstate, 9/1

Conservationist

Do you know what this is? To find out, see page 7 of the August Conservationist. In it, you can find out how New York is tackling the problem of harmful algal blooms (HABS) in our waterways, and how the construction of a fish ladder has allowed spawning alewife to reach a lake that has been blocked for more than a century. There are also beautiful pictures of wildlife in the field, as well as articles on restoring wild blue lupine in the Rome Sand Plains and how biologists are studying potential causes of the decline in mallard populations. All this, and more, awaits you in the August Conservationist.

Don't miss it!  Subscribe online or call 1-800-678-6399.

Photo credits:  Banner - Greg Kozlowski, Fall Festivals - Mark Skowron