Forests, Plants & Land Conservation News

This month's topics:

• 2023 Arbor Day Posters Now Available
• Signs of Spring: Red Maple Flowers
• DEC Seeking Public Comment on the Draft Amendment to the Sundown Wild Forest Unit Management Plan
• El DEC Está Aceptando Comentarios Sobre un Borrador de Enmienda al Plan de Manejo de la Unidad Forestal Silvestre de Sundown
• Urban and Community Forestry Corner
  • Upcoming Events
  • Job Opportunity
  • Community Spotlight
• DEC’s First Spanish-language newsletter: Encuentre Su Adventura!
• Take the DEC Kiosk Survey: We Appreciate Your Feedback!

2023 Arbor Day Posters Now Available

We received more than 100 excellent submissions for this year’s contest, making the selection process pleasantly challenging for the Arbor Day Poster Committee. Thank you to all the artists around the state for submitting your work. We hope you will continue to submit your artwork for future contests.

Posters are now available—contact your local DEC office to find a distribution point or arrange for a pickup.

And save the date—Arbor Day is Friday, April 28! Make this year’s Arbor Day a tree-riffic celebration as an individual, family, or community. Visit our website for ideas.

Pictured: 2023 Arbor Day poster featuring Matthew Pecorella’s winning photograph taken in Argyle Park, Village of Babylon, NY.

Signs of Spring: Red Maple Flowers

Springtime celebrations would not be complete without some forest confetti! One of the first trees to bloom in springtime, the red maple has tiny, vibrant clusters of flowers that put on quite the show. Looking closely at their blooms, you can see pollen-bearing male flowers that look like fireworks and darker, Medusa-like female flowers. Once the male flowers have faded, they fall off and cover the ground like crimson confetti. If pollinated, the female flowers will develop into fruits called samaras, a.k.a. whirligigs or helicopters.

Red maples are valued for more than just their flowers! These native trees also:

• provide food for pollinators and wildlife;
• make good street or ornamental trees because they generally tolerate wet and dry conditions;
• can be used to make maple syrup (though their sap has less sugar than sugar maples);
• have spectacular fall foliage; and
• are used for furniture, musical instruments, bowls, cutting boards, firewood, and pulpwood.

Pictured: Top left- Male red maple flowers. Top right- Female red maple flowers. Bottom- male flowers after they fall.

DEC Seeking Public Comment on the Draft Amendment to the Sundown Wild Forest Unit Management Plan

DEC is seeking public comment on the Draft Amendment to the Sundown Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (PDF). The proposed amendment aims to improve infrastructure, increase public safety, enhance natural resource protection, and improve visitor experiences in the Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor. Public comments will be accepted through April 21, 2023, and can be sent to: Ian Dunn, NYS DEC, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561 or emailed to r3.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Pictured: Stream at Peekamoose Blue Hole in the Sundown Wild Forest.

(Note: Spanish translation below.)

El DEC Está Aceptando Comentarios Sobre un Borrador de Enmienda al Plan de Manejo de la Unidad Forestal Silvestre de Sundown

El DEC está aceptando comentarios sobre un borrador de enmienda al Plan de Manejo de la Unidad Forestal Silvestre (UMP) de Sundown (PDF). La enmienda propuesta tiene como objetivo mejorar la infraestructura, aumentar la seguridad pública, mejorar la protección de los recursos naturales y mejorar las experiencias de los visitantes en el corredor ribereño del valle de Peekamoose. Se aceptarán comentarios hasta el 21 de abril de 2023 y se pueden enviar a: Ian Dunn, NYS DEC, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561, o por correo electrónico a r3.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Urban and Community Forestry Corner

Upcoming Events

“Caring for Community Trees and Greenspaces – Ways to Volunteer” (In-person event) – April 19 from 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. at Fordham University
Community organizations around the Bronx are seeking volunteers to help with tree plantings, tree care, community gardens, and other urban green spaces. Come learn about projects going on in your area and the organizations coordinating them, then get involved by signing up to participate in upcoming spring and summer activities. Register for this free event—make sure to select the “April 19th: ReLeaf Event” event when registering. Please note, proof of vaccination or exemption is required for this event.

“Invasive Species in Urban Forestry” (In-person workshop) – May 8 from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at the Tifft Nature Preserve in Buffalo
Learn about New York State’s invasive species regulations, tree and shrub species that have invasive tendencies, and the importance of diversity in urban forests in this one-day workshop. Speakers from the Western NY PRISM, NYSDEC, and Schichtel’s Nursery will provide views from nonprofit, industry, and statewide perspectives. The workshop is $35 for non-members and $25 for Council and ReLeaf members and includes lunch. Register in advance for this workshop.

“Day of Safety” (In-person workshop) – May 31 in Syracuse and June 1 in Albany, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for one of our upcoming Day of Safety workshops! Attendees will rotate through three training sessions on aerial lift safety, chainsaw safety, and roadside work zone safety. Please note that all stations are demonstrations; the workshop does not include hands-on practice. Stations will be outside as weather allows, so please come dressed appropriately. The workshop is the same in both locations; attendees should only sign up to attend one workshop. The workshop is $25 for non-members and $20 for Council and ReLeaf members and includes lunch. Register in advance for this workshop.

Save the date: ReLeaf Tree Walk (In-person program) – June 2 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse
Join us for a tree walk led by Dr. Don Leopold, distinguished teaching professor at SUNY-ESF. Details and registration information coming soon!

2023 ReLeaf Conference– July 20–22 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY
Join us for the annual ReLeaf conference with this year’s theme of “Keeping trees in mind: planning for a better tomorrow”. This year’s conference features keynote speaker Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, a tour of Hofstra’s arboretum, and a picnic dinner at Jones Beach State Park! Check the Council’s website for registration information during the first week of May.

Job Opportunity

Are you looking to get a job in urban forestry? NYC Parks is hiring! Visit their website to view their available positions.

Community Spotlight

Thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate our 2022 Tree City USA communities, Tree Campuses, and Tree Line Utilities! We hope you enjoyed the recognition events, and we are so appreciative of all the work our Tree City communities, Tree Campuses, and Tree Lines do.

New York State has 164 Tree Cities, 5 Tree Line Utilities, and 19 Tree Campuses. If you are celebrating Arbor Day this month and would like to join any of these programs, learn more on our website.

Pictured: Top- volunteers with Trees NY planting trees in New York City. Bottom- 2022 Tree City USA, Tree Campus, and Tree Utility celebrations in Baldwinsville and Poughkeepsie.

DEC’s First Spanish-language newsletter: Encuentre Su Adventura!

Suscríbete a la versión en español de Find Your Adventure y recibir noticias sobre actividades al aire libre mensuales directamente en su bandeja de entrada.

Foto: Tres niños pescando.

Take the DEC Kiosk Survey: We Appreciate Your Feedback!

Give us your feedback and win a gift card to a sporting goods store! DEC would like your opinion on our informational kiosks. Kiosks are small, open, wooden structures that provide cover for educational/informational signs. These kiosks are located at various state properties such as state forests, wilderness areas, conservation easement lands, wildlife management areas, boat launches, and more. Take our survey to let us know what you think and be entered to win a $50 sporting goods store gift card and a free subscription to the Conservationist magazine! Winners will be announced each month through Jan. 2024. A grand prize winner will be announced in Jan. 2024 and will receive a $200 sporting goods store gift card and a free Conservationist magazine subscription. By providing input, you can help us improve your outdoor experience! For prize rules and regulations, please visit DEC's website.