Wildlife, Fish, and Marine Life Newsletter

Be on the Lookout for Amphibians Crossing the Road 

With the arrival of spring temperatures, amphibians are starting their annual migrations to woodland pools to breed. Often, they must cross roads to reach these pools. In New York, this migration usually occurs on rainy nights, when the night air temperature is above 40F. In the Hudson Valley, this is usually in late March and early April. When these conditions exist, there can be explosive, "big night" migrations, with hundreds of amphibians on the move. Volunteers in the Hudson Valley can help document these locations for the Amphibian Migration and Road Crossings Project and help amphibians like wood frogs, spotted salamanders, American toads, or spring peepers safely cross the road. Drivers on New York roads are encouraged to proceed with caution or avoid travel on the first warm, rainy evenings of the season. Amphibians come out after nightfall and are slow moving; mortality can be high even on low-traffic roads.  

Photo of wood frog by Laura Heady.

The 2023 IBirdNY Challenge Has Started!

The 2023 IBIRDNY Challenge is back and better than ever! Birders of all ages and abilities are encouraged to see or hear and record any 10 bird species of their choosing, with opportunities for both youth and adult participants to win great birding prizes. New this year, the challenge will run from March 1–November 1, observation logs may be submitted via an online form, and all participants will receive a commemorative challenge patch! For more information, including ideas on species to observe and places to go, visit the I Bird NY webpage.

Prescribed Fire Planned to Improve Grassland Bird Habitat at Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area

DEC forest rangers are planning a prescribed burn at Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA), in the town of Lyme, Jefferson County. Ashland Flats WMA contains 2,028 acres of primarily open meadows, second growth, and young forests east of Lake Ontario. Approximately 40 acres will be affected by this activity. The prescribed fire is weather dependent but anticipated to occur on one or more weekdays between April 1 and May 1 this year.

Prescribed burning is an important habitat management tool. The burn at Ashland Flats WMA will enhance grassland bird habitat by reducing growth of woody vegetation and encouraging growth of grasses needed by these birds to thrive.

Prescribed burning activities are conducted by trained and experienced personnel in strict accordance with the provisions of a detailed burn plan and under New York State law. Careful consideration is given to environmental factors such as current and expected weather conditions and smoke management considerations in close coordination with the National Weather Service.

Although prescribed burns are happening across the state with multiple trained wildland firefighters on hand, the annual residential brush burn ban is in effect from March 16 to May 14. Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State, starting dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres.

For information regarding the upcoming prescribed burn at Ashland Flats WMA, email DEC.

Summer Employment Opportunities

Would you like to work in New York State's beautiful Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves this summer?

2023 Summer Camps Program

We are actively recruiting Directors, Assistant Directors, Waterfront Directors, Cooks, Nurses, EMTs, Counselors, and Camp Aides for the 2023 Summer Camps Program. All positions offer competitive salaries, plus room and board for the summer. Employment at camps begins in mid-June and ends mid-August.

Locations of DEC Summer Camps:

• Camp Colby in Saranac Lake;
• Camp Pack Forest in Warrensburg; and
• Camp Rushford in Caneadea.

DEC Summer Camps combine environmental education, hunter education, and outdoor recreation to create an adventurous experience for youth. Camp staff engage campers in ecological principles such as field, forest, aquatic, wildlife, and human impact and outdoor skills including backpacking, camping, and canoeing. Learn more about the employment opportunities and how you can apply to work at DEC Environmental Education Camps.

DEC Campgrounds and Day-use Areas

Be a part of a team that helps vacationers enjoy the great outdoors in the Catskill Forest Preserve and Adirondack Park. Positions available include Lifeguard, Maintenance, Security, Supervisor, and more! Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.

For more information on available positions or to apply for a position call 518-457-2500, e-mail campinfo@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Campground Seasonal Employment webpage on DEC's website.

Lifeguard Positions

Seasonal lifeguard positions are available at DEC campgrounds. The current hourly starting rate for New York State lifeguards is $20 an hour, and most DEC facilities offer free housing or site accommodations.

Candidates who qualify will be considered for employment. The qualifying procedure consists of two parts: a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills component; and a water skills evaluation. Candidates may attend the qualifying location most convenient to them and the results will be forwarded to their preferred work location. 

At the time of employment, all DEC lifeguards must:

• Be at least 15 years old;
• Possess a valid certification in Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalent;
• Successfully completed the New York State lifeguard qualifying procedure;
• Submitted a current New York State DEC medical form stating the candidate's physical ability to perform lifeguard duties;
• Meet the vision requirement of 20/70 uncorrected in both eyes and be correctable to the 20/40 standard. Candidates tested at a vision level below 20/40 in either one or both eyes must correct to a minimum of 20/40 with 20/20 preferred;
• Completed a personal interview with DEC; and
• Attended a DEC lifeguard orientation.

For more information, updates, or to pre-register, call 518-457-2500 ext. #1, e-mail Info.Lifeguard@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Lifeguard Positions webpage on DEC's website.