News and Events for Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara and Wyoming Counties (Region 9)

In This Issue:

• In-Person Hunter Education Courses Available Now
• First Public Meeting Held for Cattaraugus Creek Watershed Integrated Watershed Action Plan
• Greater Niagara Segment of the NYS Birding Trail Now Open
• Summer Camp Registration to Open April 10
• Annual Residential Brush Burn Ban in Effect Until May 14
• Lake Ontario Webinar Series
• Multi-Agency Cyber Impact Security Training

In-Person Hunter Education Courses Available Now

DEC works closely with thousands of dedicated DEC-certified instructors statewide to provide Hunter Education courses free of charge. DEC's online registration system makes it easy to view a list of all available courses within the student's proximity to course locations. Students can register from any device - smartphone, tablet, or computer - 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To locate a nearby hunter education course, visit DEC's website. Classes fill quickly, so do not delay in registering for a course. Some local courses are available this March and April at the Springville Field & Stream, Bison City Rod & Gun Club, Limestone Sportsmen Club, and many more.

First Public Meeting Held for Cattaraugus Creek Watershed Integrated Watershed Action Plan

DEC’s Great Lakes Program held a virtual public meeting in March for the Cattaraugus Creek Watershed Integrated Watershed Action Plan (IWAP). The IWAP is a new and exciting pilot opportunity that will create goals, indicators, strategies, and actions at the watershed-scale to maintain ecosystem health and resilience for families and communities into the future. Check out the website, including the presentation (PDF) from the meeting, which includes the background and draft goals, as well as expected outcomes for the IWAP.

The draft Cattaraugus Creek Watershed goal themes include:

1. Water Quality
2. Floodplains and Riparian Areas
3. Forests
4. Streams
5. Invasive Species
6. Sustainable Working Lands
7. Heritage and Sense of Place

You can share your feedback, ideas, and experiences related to the draft goals found in the public meeting presentation slides, by emailing the project team at CattCreek@ramboll.com.

Greater Niagara Segment of NYS Birding Trail Now Open

The Greater Niagara segment of the NYS Birding Trail is now open and is the second region completed. The Greater Niagara segment of the trail includes 36 locations throughout Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

From the awe-inspiring Niagara River Corridor, which is part of a designated globally important migratory bird area designated by the National Audubon Society, to Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve’s 292-acres of forests, ponds, and wetlands, the Greater Niagara region offers multiple opportunities to observe migratory birds. In the summer and fall, take the Discover Niagara shuttle to Fort Niagara State Park, Stella Niagara Preserve, Art Park, and multiple locations along the Niagara River Corridor. Visit Tifft Nature Preserve and Buffalo Outer Harbor State Park on the southern tip of the Niagara River to take in views of Lake Erie and observe over 200 bird species. Knox Farm State Park is a premier destination for grassland birds and hosts a display of bluebird boxes. Learn more and start planning your adventure.

Stay tuned for future announcements on the birding trail.

Summer Camp Registration to Open April 10

Camp counselor with campers sitting on the ground in the woodsThe start of registration for the 2022 DEC Summer Camp season is being postponed from Sunday, March 6, as previously announced, to Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 1 p.m.

In addition, due to current staffing challenges, this summer's camp program offerings have changed. Camp Rushford and Pack Forest will open for a seven-week season. DEC may open registrations for Camp DeBruce if additional staff become available this spring. Camp Colby will remain closed until 2023 to complete major renovations to the camp.

You can find updates and changes on DEC's Summer Camps webpage, on DEC's Facebook page, and the Summer Camps Facebook page. Campers and camp families can send an email to: EducationCamps@dec.ny.gov with any questions.

DEC's Summer Residential Camps are now hiring counselors, lifeguards, and cooks for the 2022 season. These are great opportunities to be involved in the education and enrichment of New York's youth at locations designed to create a life-long passion for nature and a dedication to environmental stewardship. Employment at camp begins in mid-June and ends mid-August, and all positions include room and board. Visit DEC's website to learn more about the qualifications and opportunities as a DEC camps staff member.

Annual Residential Brush Burning Prohibition Now Through May 14

The annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning began March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires each spring.

Even though some areas of the state remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often have to leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC will post the Fire Danger Map for the 2022 fire season on DEC's website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in New York.

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur.

Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed. Small cooking fires are allowed. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.

Forest Rangers, DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs), and local authorities enforce the burn ban. Violators of the State's open burning regulation are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations, call 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267) or report online on DEC's website. For search and rescue, reporting a wildfire or illegal activity on state lands and easements, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264).

Lake Ontario Webinar Series - “Invasive Species: Lake Ontario’s Most Un-Wanted”

Join us on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 12 p.m. ET for a one-hour webinar, “Invasive Species: Lake Ontario’s Most Un-Wanted,” as part of our Let’s Talk Lake Ontario webinar series. Learn more about invasive species in Lake Ontario, why they’re a problem, and how Canada and the U.S. are taking steps to prevent their introduction and spread in the Basin.  

We’ll hear from expert Kevin O’Donnell of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who will provide an overview on invasive species in the Great Lakes, as well as Zy Biesinger from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who will discuss measures to survey and detect invasive species from Niagara to the St. Lawrence rivers.  

We’ll also hear from Brook Schryer of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, who will discuss the Ontario Invasive Species Awareness Program, a public education program that engages boaters, anglers, property owners, gardeners, and recreationalists to address the spread of invasive species. 

Register Now 

For questions, contact carol.kim@ec.gc.ca or brandt.peter@epa.gov.  

Region 9 DLE Participates in Multi-Agency Cyber Impact Security Training

On March 8 through 10, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) in Region 9 participated in multi-agency chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cyber impact security training exercises. More than 200 participants from several agencies across the United States and Canada took part in the training, which included updates on current threats. The three-day training was designed to prepare for potential attacks on critical infrastructure in the greater Buffalo area. In all, 12 Army National Guard and two Army Reserve units, along with local, state, federal, private sector, academic and Canadian partners, participated with DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement, including the New York Army National Guard, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management, New York Power Authority, New York State Department of Transportation, and numerous other local law enforcement agencies, first responders, and private sector agencies. The training exercises were held at the Seneca One Tower in downtown Buffalo, Key Bank Center, and Highmark Stadium.