Find Your Adventure - June 2023

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day 2023: Postponed

Out of an abundance of caution, New York State postponed this year’s "Get Outdoors & Get Together Day" originally scheduled for Saturday, June 10 due to air quality concerns. DEC and State Parks, in partnership with the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Veterans' Services, will reschedule this inclusive and accessible day of family-friendly recreation and fun at State Parks and other public lands that help connect people to nature and provide increased access to the outdoors.

Stay tuned to DEC's website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for a future announcement.

DEC's First-Time Camper Program Returns

Have you ever wanted to try camping but not sure where to start? You are in luck! DEC’s First-Time Camper Program will return for the 2023 season. The program will make camping for the first-timer easy by providing a turnkey experience for families, especially those from underserved communities that have never camped before. The new campers will be provided with a tent for their camping party, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, camp chairs, a lantern, and even firewood. A Camping Ambassador will meet participants at the campsite and help them get their camp set up with a camping 101 lesson and bathrooms and hot showers are just a close walk from the campsites.

The public may enter the First-Time Camper lottery beginning June 14th until June 26th. Those entering the lottery must choose one facility from the participating locations in the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Learn more by visiting DEC's website.

Check out a video on the First-Time Camper program. 

Visit the New Accessible Cove Road Boat Launch

DEC announced the completion of a new boat launch on the Barge Canal at Cover Road in the town of Verona, Oneida County.

The newly constructed Oneida Lake launch enhances fishing and boating recreational opportunities for all visitors, including people with disabilities. The site now includes a two-lane, concrete launch ramp with floating docs, canoe/kayak launch, fishing pier, parking area with 24 car and 49 car/trailer spaces, including some accessible parking, and port-a-johns.

Attend a Listening Session on the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act

Do you have questions about the newly passed Environmental Bond Act? Sign up to attend one of several in-person or virtual listening sessions across the state.

The Bond Act prioritizes investments in environmental justice, climate change mitigation, shoreline restoration, flood resilience, water quality, open space land conservation, recreational resources, and green jobs. The tour will provide an opportunity for the public and potential funding applicants to learn more about the Bond Act, and for the community to weigh in on the draft criteria developed to identify potential projects.

Join Us for Campgrounds Day on July 8

Give back to your favorite campground by joining us for a new stewardship day. Building on the success of I Love My Park Day, and to encourage year-round stewardship, Parks & Trails NY, State Parks, and DEC are launching additional volunteer opportunities throughout the summer and fall as part of the Love Our New York Lands campaign. The campaign goal is to help protect our natural resources by providing visitors with the knowledge necessary to reduce their impact, engage users to practice sustainable and safe recreation, and help all visitors feel welcome while visiting state lands.

The first event of the series, Campgrounds Day, will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, and will focus on improvements and cleanups at state campground facilities.

In addition to these stewardship events, participants are encouraged to Love Our New York Lands all year by practicing Leave No Trace^TM principles and by recreating safely, sustainably, and hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.

Register on the Parks & Trails NY website. 

Take a Ride on the NFTA Parks Adventure Bus

If you are looking to visit some of Western New York’s popular parks, take a ride on the free Saturday bus service, the Parks Adventure Bus. The service began on June 17, and will run select Saturdays through August 5, with a possible make-up day on Saturday, August 12. The bus departs from the bus station in downtown Buffalo (181 Ellicott Street).

New this year, the Parks Adventure Bus will also be making special trips to seasonal festivals including Reinstein Woods.

Park and Trail Partnership Grants Awarded to DEC Partners

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced $1.8 million in grants were awarded to support 28 not-for-profit organizations involved with stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites, and public lands, the highest amount awarded in program history.
Several DEC partners were awarded:

• Lake George Battlefield Park (Fort George) Alliance
• Mamakating Environmental Education Center/Friends of MEEC
• Morgan Duke Conservation Society
• Friends of Reinstein Nature Preserve
• IMPACT: Friends Improving Allegany County Trails
• Chautauqua County Equestrian Trail System

Congratulations to all awardees!

Upcoming Events:

Sat. June 24 and Sun. June 25 – Free Fishing Day – Statewide!
Sat. June 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Teach Me to Fish Clinic at Chestnut Ridge Park
Sat. June 24 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Five Rivers: I FISH NY: Beginner’s Fishing Class
Sat. June 24 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Five Rivers: I FISH NY: Beginner’s Fishing Class
Wed. July 5 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. – DEC Pop-Up Fishing Clinic at Gantry Plaza State Park