Find Your Adventure- November 2023

Fire Towers, First Day Hikes, and More!

2023 Fire Tower Challenge Deadline Approaching

The end of the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge is coming up on December 31, 2023- have you completed the list? All you need to do are visit the fire towers at:

• Overlook Mountain
• Hunter Mountain
• Red Hill
• Balsam Lake Mountain
• Tremper Mountain
• Upper Esopus Fire Tower (conveniently located at the Catskills Visitor Center!)

Take some fun photos, download and complete the Challenge Log  and email it to CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov along with your favorite photo(s). The Challenge Log can also be submitted by mail to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1020, or you can also complete the log at SurveyMonkey. The first 1,000 finishers will received a one-year subscription to the DEC’s Conservationist magazine, and every finisher receives a commemorative patch and will be entered to win great prizes. Entries are due January 7, 2024.

Photo Credit: Karen King

First Day Would Be a Very Good Day Just To Have a Good Day!

Finished the Fire Tower Challenge? How about planning your 2024 First Day Hike? Come join State Parks, the Canal Corporation, and DEC for this annual, family-friendly event on January 1^st, 2024. The hikes and walks are usually between one and five miles, depending on location and conditions. We’ll have a full list of participating state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands all across the state posted soon!

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, a great opportunity for DEC and all New Yorkers to acknowledge the contributions that Indigenous People have made and continue to make to protect our shared environment. DEC is working to improve our relationship with indigenous peoples despite past challenges. There are many museums and cultural centers around the state where you can learn more, including the Akwesasne Cultural Center, the Iroquois Museum, the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum, and the National Museum of the American Indian.  The DEC Office of Indian Nations Affairs (OINA) was created to address cultural resources, environmental concerns, and to advance shared knowledge through consultation with State and Federally recognized Indian Nations.

Photo: Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment crews from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Land Resources program conducted improvement cuttings to protect black ash at Brasher State Forest.

DEC Smart Growth Grants

DEC recently held a virtual information session to provide information on the anticipated Round 7 funding opportunity to support Adirondack and Catskill Parks Community Smart Growth. For more than a decade, DEC has worked to support smart growth planning and implementation activity within the Adirondack and Catskill parks. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Providing bike-friendly routes and amenities
• Creating new recreational opportunities
• Developing multi-use trails
• Installing informational signage and kiosks
• Enhancing parks and public spaces
• Cleanup of contaminated sites and preparation for re-use
• Providing shuttle service

You can find a list of the 2019 Community Smart Growth Grants that were awarded here.

Upcoming Events:

Sat, Nov. 25: Letchworth State Park – Saturday Nature Outings: Waterfall Walk

Mon, Nov. 27 : Reinstein Woods – Full Moon Walk

Sun, Dec. 3: Hither Hills State Park – Trails Less Traveled

Fri, Dec. 8: Grafton Lakes State Park – Luminary Walk

Sat, Dec. 9 : Five Rivers: How To Do It: Bird Watching

Sat, Dec 16: Golden Hill State Park – A Golden Christmas Bird Count

Save the Date:

Sun. Dec 31, 2023- Final day to complete the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge

Sun. Jan 7, 2024 – Final day to submit Challenge Logs for the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge

Mon.  Jan. 1, 2024- First Day Hikes, 2024