Find Your Adventure - September 2023

New Locations Added to the NYS Birding Trail

DEC recently announced the addition of 12 new locations to the NYS Birding Trail, bringing the total number of sites statewide to 344. The new additions provide visitors with unique experiences, from large preserves and nature centers with diverse habitats to urban oases steeped in history and teeming with wildlife.

The newly added locations are located on public and private lands across the state:

• Central-Finger Lakes: Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Onondaga County)
• Greater Niagara:
  • Amherst Veterans Canal Park (Erie County)
  • Eight locations within the City of Buffalo (Erie County)
    • Cazenovia Park
    • Delaware Park
    • Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park 
    • Ship Canal Commons/Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park
    • South Park (Buffalo Botanical Gardens)
    • Unity Island
    • Broderick Park
    • Bird Island Pier
  • Long Island: Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center (Nassau County)
  • Southern Tier: Audubon Community Nature Center (Chautauqua County)

Fall is an exciting time for birding as migrants begin their journey back to their wintering homes. Visit the New York State Birding webpage to plan a trip to these and other spots on the Birding Trail.

Photo: Baltimore Woods Nature Center, Onondaga County

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

DEC is proud to observe Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, honoring the rich history, culture, and influence of Hispanic and Latino Americans, both past and present. DEC began offering the Spanish-language version the Find Your Adventure newsletter in September 2022 and it now reaches more than 3,200 subscribers! Subscribe to the Spanish-language version of this newsletter.

Experience Fall Hiking

If you are looking to enjoy the fall foliage this season, consider a trip to the Catskills to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge! Fall is a great time for hiking in New York, with stunning colors and cooler temperatures. Be sure to check I Love NY’s Fall Foliage Report for updates.

For those looking for alternate locations, check out the Trails Less Traveled webpage, offering a sample from across New York. All New Yorkers are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace^TM Principles and Love Our New York Lands by recreating safely and sustainably, hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level. DEC also now offers a HikeSmartNY poster available for download in 15 languages.

Know Before You Go: Group Size Limits and Permits

Did you know that there are restrictions on group sizes and for certain activities on some state lands? Anyone enjoying State Forests or Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks must observe the following rules which protect both the people and the forest environment and are based on regulations. Large groups are more likely to have an impact on trails and other natural resources.

• Groups of more than 20 people and those that wish to use state land for weddings, filmmaking, research, etc., must get a Temporary Revocable Permit (TRP) from a DEC land manager.
• In the High Peaks Wilderness area of the Adirondacks, maximum group sizes are 15 people for day trips and 8 people for overnight stays. Permits to exceed these limits are not available.
• In the Catskills Wilderness area, group size is limited to 12.

Visit the DEC website for more information.

Free Day-trips to the Adirondacks for African American Visitors

The Adirondack Experience (ADKX) museum in Blue Mountain Lake is offering free community bus trips from Albany, Utica, and Syracuse. The purpose of this program is to introduce African Americans from cities near the Adirondack Park to the Adirondack Experience and its beautiful setting.

The next trips are scheduled for September 23 to coincide with the museum’s Xperience for All event. Visit the ADKX website for details and to register.

Share Your Ideas: Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act

This spring and summer, the public and potential funding applicants had the opportunity to learn more about the Bond Act at a series of educational listening sessions.

Missed out on attending a session? Check out the virtual session recordings.

Share your ideas for how the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act could help your community and environment. Complete a short survey to collect project ideas and other feedback. This survey will provide stakeholders and members of the public a place to share these ideas.

We need your input to help the New York State team select projects and deliver funds while also ensuring a transparent and collaborative process that benefits all New Yorkers.

The deadline for ideas and comments is has been extended to September 30.

Upcoming Events

Sat. Sept. 16: Reinstein Woods 23rd Annual Fall Festival (Erie County)
Sat. Sept. 16: 4th Annual Women’s Fishing Expo at Connetquot State Park (Nassau County)
Sat. Sept. 23: Five Rivers 41st Annual Fall Festival (Albany County)
Sat. Sept. 23: Science on the River Open House at Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg (Dutchess County)
Sat. Sept. 23: Xperience for All at the Adirondack Experience Museum (Hamilton County)
Thurs. Sept. 28: – Free Fishing Clinic at East River Park (New York County)
Sat. Sept. 30: Harvest Fest at Stony Kill Farm (Dutchess County)