Forests, Plants, and Land Conservation News

This Month's Topics:

• Share the Woods: Both Hunters and Hikers Recreate on Public Lands
• Trail Supporter Patches: Variety of Patches for Sale
• DEC and Finger Lakes Land Trust Announce More Than 195 Acres Protected in Ontario and Schuyler Counties
• DEC Encourages New Yorkers to Comment on Draft East of Hudson Unit Management Plan
• DEC Seeks Public Comment on Draft Recreation Management Plan for Western Lassiter Conservation Easement, St. Lawrence County
• Urban and Community Forestry Corner
  • Upcoming Events
  • Community Spotlight
  • Tree City USA News
  • Annual Arbor Day Artwork Poster Contest

Share the Woods: Both Hunters and Hikers Recreate on Public Lands

With hunting seasons underway and fall hiking still at its peak, DEC is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to follow safety precautions while recreating this fall and winter. Whether you are a hiker, a nature photographer, a leaf peeper, or a mountain biker, following a few simple safety measures can make your experience as safe as possible while hunters and trappers are afield.

Tips for both hikers and hunters afield this fall:

1. Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re planning to return. If your plans change, notify them.
2. Dress for the weather; account for both location and elevation changes.
3. Become familiar with the trail you plan on hiking or the area you plan on hunting.
4. Wear bright clothing; blaze orange or blaze pink. Bright colors allow others to see you more easily and from farther away.
5. Make sure you pack your bag with the 10 Essentials, especially, a light source, map, and first aid kit.

Hikers should be aware that they may meet hunters bearing firearms or archery equipment while hiking on trails. Hunters are fellow outdoor recreationists and hunting is permitted on Forest Preserve and Conservation Easement lands. Hunting accidents involving non-hunters are extremely rare.

DEC maintains hiking trails and permits hunting in many areas of forest preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, as well as in state forests, wildlife management areas, and unique areas. Find a place near you by visiting our website, checking out DECinfo Locator, or downloading the HuntFishNY App. Many trails are also accessible to people with disabilities. Check out our YouTube playlist, covering how to plan and prepare for your next hike.

Pictured: Hiker and dog walking on trail wearing blaze orange vests.

Trail Supporter Patches: Variety of Patches for Sale

For those who are patch collecting enthusiasts, would like to support trails on State lands, or are looking for the perfect gift for an outdoor lover— we have the perfect thing for you! A variety of trail-riffic patches are now for sale as a single patch or sets. All funds go towards the maintenance of non-motorized trails on State lands such as the Finger Lakes Trail, the Long Path, the Northville-Placid Trail, and many more.

The patches listed below are for sale through December 31st, or while supplies last. Order by December 12th to get them in time for the holidays!

• Legacy Patch (single patch, $5)- this is the fanciest patch that highlights some of New York State’s most gorgeous trail-side features including mountains, lakes, and forests.
• Throwback Patch Set (set of 3 patches, $15)- this design is modeled after the classic trail marker found throughout New York’s State lands.
• Activity Patch Set (set of 5 patches, $25)- this design features the international symbols for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and camping.

For more information and for patch ordering instructions, visit the DEC website.

Pictured: Top- Legacy Patch with mountain, forest, and water scenery. Left- Throwback Patch Set with blue, yellow, and red patches with trail marker design. Right- Activity Patch Set with horseback rider on green background, bicycle on red background, tent on yellow background, cross-country skier on blue background, and hikers on brown background.

DEC and Finger Lakes Land Trust Announce More Than 195 Acres Protected in Ontario and Schuyler Counties

The newly acquired 195 acres of land were purchased by the DEC from the Finger Lakes Land Trust using funds from the State’s Environmental Protection Fund, a critical resource for environmental programs.

The acquired lands:

• 57 acres added to Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area in the towns of Canadice and Richmond, Ontario County; and
• 140 acres to Catharine Creek Wildlife Management Area in the towns of Dix and Montour Fall, Schuyler County.

The lands will provide environmental benefits including protecting water quality by filtering runoff and preserving wildlife habitat. Additionally, the lands will increase recreational opportunities along the scenic lake, hillsides, and wetlands.

For more information, read the press release.

Pictured: Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area, courtesy of Chuck Feil.

DEC Encourages New Yorkers to Comment on East of Hudson Unit Management Plan

DEC recently released the draft East of Hudson Unit Management Plan (PDF) for public comment. The plan will guide the future use and management of nearly 6,700 acres of DEC-managed public lands within the East of Hudson Unit, located in Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties. Proposed management actions will continue to protect natural resources and enhance recreational opportunities.

Highlights of the draft plan:

• construction of an accessible path and fishing pier on Wilbur Pond at Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area and an accessible path and boardwalk over a beaver pond at Stissing Multiple Use Area;
• development and designation of a multi-use trail system and two designated tent sites at California Hill State Forest;
• a new trail at White Pond Multiple Use Area to improve pedestrian safety on White Pond Road;
• construction of a parking area and multi-use trail system at Salt Hill State Forest;
• an alternative analysis of management actions proposed for a dam located within West Mountain State Forest;
• an alternative analysis of two trail proposals designed to provide improved access to the Croton River within the Croton Gorge Unique Area;
• a site management plan to address exposure to arsenic contamination at Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area; and
• implementation of a sustainable 10-year forest management schedule for all lands within the Unit.

Proposed management actions will be guided by DEC’s Strategic Plan for State Forest Management, which focuses on ecosystem health and diversity, economic benefits, recreational opportunities, forest conservation, and sustainable management.

DEC is hosting two public meetings on the draft Unit Management Plan:

Wednesday, November 16
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Dutchess County Farm and Home Center,
2715 US-44, Millbrook NY 12545

Tuesday, November 22
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Town of Kent Courthouse
25 Sybils Crossing, Carmel NY 12512

DEC staff will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. to talk one-on-one and answer questions. Starting at 6 p.m., both meetings will include a public presentation of the draft plan, followed by time for public comments.

Public comments on the proposed plan will be accepted until Dec. 22, 2022, by mail to DEC Division of Lands and Forests, 21 South Putt Corners Rd. New Paltz, NY 12561, and by email to R3.UMP@dec.ny.gov.

For more information, read the press release.

Pictured: Person kayaking in the White Pond Multiple Use Area, photo courtesy of NYS DEC Barbara Lucas.

DEC Seeks Public Comment on Draft Recreation Management Plan for Western Lassiter Conservation Easement, St. Lawrence County

Draft Plan Creates Public Recreational Opportunities on Easement Lands

DEC is seeking public comment on a draft recreation management plan (RMP) for the Western Lassiter Conservation Easements, in the town of Edwards, St. Lawrence County. The Western Lassiter Conservation Easement RMP consists of the 1,336-acre Beers Lot Conservation Easement and the 834-acre Pine Hill Conservation Easement. The public comment period on the draft RMP is open until Nov. 30.

In 1989, DEC purchased certain rights on the Beers Lot and Pine Hill tracts as part of a larger acquisition from Lassiter, LLC. Conservation easements on those tracts ensure the properties will remain as privately owned sustainable working forests, protect natural resources, continue private recreational leases, and allow for specific public recreation opportunities.

In 2019, the landowner/lessee exclusive use period included in the terms of the easement expired, creating recreational opportunities for the public. While access to Pine Hill is currently limited, the roads and trails of the Beers Lot easement are open to the public. The draft plan proposes motorized and non-motorized public recreational opportunities.

Motorized opportunities:

• opening the Main Haul Road to public motor vehicle use;
• designating an ATV route for members of the public who possess a Mobility Access Permit for People with Disabilities; and
• creation of a parking area.

Non-motorized opportunities include camping, hunting, trapping, fishing, and nature observation.

A virtual presentation, copy of the draft RMP, and an online survey to submit comments can be found on the DEC website. DEC is accepting public comments through Nov. 30, 2022 and comments can be submitted by mail to Peter D'Luhosch, Program Manager, DEC Potsdam Sub-Office, 190 Outer Main St Suite 103, Potsdam, NY 13676, or by email to r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Pictured: Top- Forested portion of the Western Lassiter Conservation Easements, courtesy of DEC Ashleigh Grosso. Bottom- beaver dam in the Western Lassiter Conservation Easement, courtesy of DEC Peter D’Luhosch.

Urban and Community Forestry Corner

Upcoming Events

“Superstorm Sandy: 10 Years Later” ReLeaf Workshop (in-person workshop) – November 18 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join us for a ReLeaf workshop at Brooklyn Borough Hall as we remember the impacts of Superstorm Sandy on NYC’s trees and look at what we’ve learned since then. Between Sandy and the nor’easter that followed it, NYC lost over 10,000 trees to storm winds and the effects of salt water. We will revisit the City’s response to Sandy and the long-lasting impacts to the city’s trees and green infrastructure. We’ll hear from NYC Parks staff about the immediate storm response, how the city handled the immense amount of woody debris, and how the lessons learned from Sandy have changed the city’s storm response. Registration for this half day event is now open ($20 for the public, $15 for ReLeaf and NYS Urban Forestry Council members); sign up online.

Community Spotlight

In October the City of Glen Cove in Long Island had a tree planting funded by TD Bank Tree Days Grant. The Glen Cove Beautification committee, volunteers from TD Bank, and staff from Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Nassau County came together in Morgan Memorial Park to plant trees including river birch, crape myrtle, red maple, and eastern redbuds. CCE Nassau educators gave a planting demonstration of proper planting technique. When finished, the planting project will add 52 trees to the park and neighboring Donahue Street.

Pictured: Volunteers at the tree planting, photo provided by CCE Nassau County.

Tree City USA News

The application portal is now open! If your community completed the requirements to obtain Tree City USA status this year, make sure to get your application in by December 16th. Visit the portal to apply now.

Annual Arbor Day Artwork Poster Contest

The annual Arbor Day poster contest is now open; submissions are due by the end of the year on 12/31/2022. To submit your photo or artwork, visit our poster page for complete contest rules. Note that the artist information form must be included with your submission.