Fall into Your Next Outdoor Adventure!

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 09/20/2018 03:39 PM EDT
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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Family Fishing Day at The Great New York State Fair

Free Sapling Giveaway at the NYS Fair

DEC Brings Outdoor Adventure to the NY State Fair

Thank you to the thousands of people who visited DEC’s exhibits at this year’s record-breaking State Fair. At DEC’s aquarium building, visitors enjoyed viewing the always-popular fish, talking to rangers and environmental conservation officers, and buying sporting licenses. Visitors of all ages had fun exploring a lean-to and campsite in the new Expo Center building, as well as picking up a free tree sapling. After trying indoor fishing at our Fishin’ Hole, kids (and adults) had a chance to secure their first real catch with the help of I Fish NY staff at two family fishing events on the pond.

Get Outdoors with Smokey Bear this Fall

Learning to kayak at Mount Loretto Unique Area

DEC invites you to Get Outdoors with Smokey Bear on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Mount Loretto Unique Area, Staten Island. This free event will allow visitors to try out many outdoor recreational activities and learn techniques during nature walks, saltwater paddling, camping demonstrations, bird watching, and freshwater fishing. Come get outdoors with Smokey Bear this fall!

 

 

 

Five Rivers Gains 35 Acres

Land expansion ribbon cutting at Five Rivers

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center added more open space as part of a conservation easement in partnership with the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. The land is located next to Fisher Boulevard and is now conserved after it was considered for development for over a decade. The new land will give the public opportunities to see more wildlife including amphibians, birds and more. Three AmeriCorps members will begin working with DEC to plan a trail on the new section for more hiking, snowshoeing, nature recreation programs, and accessible recreation opportunities.

Submit Your Photos Now for the 2018 Photo Contest!

Family Camping at Forked Lake

The 2018 NYS Photo Contest is now accepting submissions of your favorite park. All you need is a camera and a sense of adventure, and you could win a Nikon DSLR camera package, a New York State camping gift card, and an Empire Pass. This year, there are five categories: Day Trips and Other Adventures; On the Trails & Off the Beaten Path; Connecting with the Outdoors; Camping Life; and Points of Interest. Choose a category, visit any park or campground, capture your visit, submit your photo, and watch out in January to see if you've won!

Catskills Lark in the Park

Children kayaking in the Catskills

Celebrate the Catskill Park with the 15th anniversary of the Catskills Lark in the Park festival from Saturday, September 29th through Monday, October 8th. This year's event will continue the tradition of highlighting outstanding natural, cultural and historic resources in the Catskills through guided outdoor recreational opportunities. There are a range of events for both beginners and experienced adventurers to participate in a variety of activities. Enjoy hiking? Check out the Esopus Bend Nature Preserve Walk on Sept. 29th at 10 a.m. Rather cycle? Join in on a ride around the scenic Catskills on Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at Overlook Mountain Bikes. For a paddling adventure, join Al's Sport Store to paddle the lower East Branch of the Delaware River.

 

Record-Breaking Fishing in Lake Ontario in 2018

Salmon River Fish Hatchery

DEC announced that fishing for trout and salmon in Lake Ontario has set records this year with anglers reporting some of the best fishing in decades. Fishing success is measured by "catch-rate" which is the number of fish caught per boat trip, and the catch rate for Chinook salmon from April to June 2018 set a record that was 227 percent above the previous five-year average. To see some of these fish before they are stocked, check out Salmon River Fish Hatchery, located in Altmar. Each year, the hatchery supplies fish for more than 100 public waters including Lake Ontario.

 

Upcoming Events

Sept. 22: 22nd Annual Salmon River Fish Hatchery Open House 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sept. 22: National Hunting and Fishing Day
Sept. 22 - 23: 33rd Annual NYPA Wildlife Festival 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sept. 20, 27 Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1: Family Fun Outdoors After School 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 through Oct. 8: Catskills Lark in the Park
Oct. 13 - Outdoors Day at Mt. Loretto  

Hiking & Wildlife Viewing
Sept. 22: Reinstein Woods: Birding 101: Class #9 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: Reinstein Woods: Full Moon Walk 8 p.m.
Sept. 29: Five Rivers - Watchable Wildlife: Birds For Beginners 10 a.m.
               Five Rivers - Watchable Wildlife: September Stroll 2 p.m.
Oct. 6:    Reinstein Woods: Woods Walk: Nature Guide's Choice 11 a.m.
Oct. 13:  Reinstein Woods: Trailside Art 10:30 a.m.
               Reinstein Woods: Birding 101: Class #10 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 17:  Reinstein Woods: Senior Stroll 10 a.m.
              Reinstein Woods: Evening Forest Bathing 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 24: Reinstein Woods: Full Moon Walk 7:30 p.m.

Free I Fish NY Clinics
Sept. 20: Free Fishing Clinic: North 5th Street Pier (East River), Brooklyn, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Sept. 22: Town of Islip "Sea Fest" Bayshore Manor Marine Park (Great South Bay), Bay Shore, Noon - 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: National Hunting and Fishing Day: Congers Lake Memorial Park, Congers, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sept. 27: Drop in Hudson! Henry Hudson Riverfront Park (Hudson River), Hudson, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
Sept. 29: Little Red Lighthouse Festival: Ft. Washington Park (Hudson River), Manhattan, Noon - 4 p.m.
Oct. 20: Fall Fishing Festival at Hempstead Lake State Park, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.