May 2022 Outdoor Discovery

Give Back to Public Lands on ‘I Love My Park Day’

Registration is now open for the 11th annual I Love My Park Day on Saturday, May 7. Events will be held at 145 State Parks, historic sites, and public lands across the state. Volunteers will celebrate New York's public lands by cleaning up debris, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitats, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects. Participants are encouraged to Love Our New York Lands all year by practicing Leave No Trace principles and by recreating safely and sustainably, and hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.

Sign up now!

Two Virtual Public Forums on Inclusivity, Accessibility, and Sustainability in the Outdoors Scheduled for May

DEC, in collaboration with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), will be hosting a two-part webinar series on integrating inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability in providing access to state lands.
In each session, Janet Zeller, a national expert on accessibility of outdoor recreation for people with disabilities, will give a presentation, followed by a discussion facilitated by the DEC/APA Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee consists of representatives of people with disabilities who are focused on improving the accessibility of outdoor recreation across New York State.

• Session 1 (Tuesday, May 10; Noon-1:30pm): Mobility Devices on Public Lands: Is it a Wheelchair or Other Power-Driven Mobility Device? Register online for the May 10 session.
• Session 2 (Tuesday, May 17; Noon-1:30pm): Sustainable Trails and Accessibility: How to keep our wild lands wild while being more inclusive. Register online for the May 17 session.

These public forums are part of the state's ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and increase opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to recreate together in the outdoors.

American Sign Language interpretation and closed captioning will be available at each session. For questions about additional assistance to accommodate participation, submit a request with your Webex registration. For more information, email us, call 518-402-9295, or visit DEC’s website.

Hudson Valley Section of the NYS Birding Trail is Live!

The NYS Birding Trail is one step closer to completion with the opening of the Hudson Valley segment. This segment includes 39 locations throughout Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Westchester counties, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers to enjoy. We invite you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to experience birds firsthand by taking the time to visit one of the sites on the birding trail.

From important Bird Conservation Areas, including Hudson Highlands Park and Rockefeller State Park Preserve, to the tidal swamps and marshes at Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area, or the Mount Peter Hawk Watch that provides a scenic overlook for raptor watching, the Hudson Valley provides unique landscapes and habitats for birding along the Hudson River and beyond.

Find the map, birding resources, and more on ibirdny.org.

Watchable Wildlife - Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, a 187-acre peninsula on the north shore of Long Island’s south fork in the town of Southampton, boasts exceptionally diverse habitats. Sandy and rocky beaches fringe the peninsula, while wooded bluffs overlook the bays. The wildlife refuge consists of upland forest, fields, ponds, a salt marsh, a beach, and a lagoon. These habitats are used by a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, painted turtles, green frogs, songbirds, and osprey. Waterfowl, such as long-tailed duck, common goldeneye, and white-winged scoter, are common during the winter months, while piping plover, terns, and other water birds use the beach during the spring and summer months. Check out some of the most recent sightings on eBird and use Merlin to help identify species.

The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge features a visitor center, trails, bathrooms, and parking ($4 fee).

Photo Credit: Anthony Graziano

Reservation System Resumes at Adirondack Mountain Reserve

The pilot parking reservation system at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) opened for 2022 reservations on Sunday, April 17. Visitors can now register and make reservations at the AMR website.

The reservation system first launched last year as part of the ongoing efforts to help protect public safety along Route 73 and improve visitors' trip planning and preparation by ensuring guaranteed parking upon arrival. No-cost reservations can be made as far as two weeks in advance. Additional days will become available on a 24-hour rolling basis. Seventy reservations, including several overnight reservations, are available per day.

Reservations will be required May 1 through Oct. 31 for single-day and overnight access to the parking lot, trailheads, and trails located on the privately owned, 7,000-acre AMR property in the town of Keene in the High Peaks region. Learn more about the Adirondack Mountain Reserve on DEC's website. For a list of frequently asked questions and to register, visit AMR's website.

Nature Notes

Did you Know...

Birding is good for your health. Spending time and energy finding and observing birds is great for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Looking for birds gets you outside in the fresh air and gets you moving.

Upcoming Events

Be sure to check out DEC's wide selection of outdoor activities on our events calendar. View activities for the upcoming month or all the planned events currently scheduled, including public hearings and meetings.

For specific information about upcoming events at DEC’s Environmental Education Centers, see the following links:

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany County)

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center (Erie County)

Rogers Environmental Education Center (Chenango County)

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County)

Check Out Our Facebook Live Events

As always, be sure to visit our Facebook page for updates and to view our Facebook Live offerings. From adventures at fish hatcheries and nighttime hiking to Q&As about black bears, there is always something to see and learn.

Conservationist

The February/March issue of the Conservationist highlights some of the outdoor opportunities available in New York, from spending time on an active river to exploring estuaries, and more. You’ll find articles on the rebirth of the Buffalo River and efforts to address climate change, as well as information on the comeback of the cisco. The magazine also features articles on addressing some environmental challenges, and the history—and importance--- of public involvement on environmental issues. You’ll also learn about some of our environmental conservation police officers and their paths to becoming a key part of DEC’s environmental efforts. These and more in the latest issue of the Conservationist. Subscribe today by visiting DEC's website or calling 1-800-678-6399.