December 2023 Outdoor Discovery

Outdoor Highlight — Flume Trails, Essex, and Clinton Counties

Wilmington Flume Trail Network located in the Wilmington Wild Forest provides 11.5 miles of trails for snowshoeing and hiking. Those accessing these hiking trails from the Flume Trailhead West will pass a wildlife viewing area overlooking a beaver dam and pond and enjoy scenic views of the West Branch Ausable River.

Flume Knob can be reached on trails traversing at least 2.5 miles, depending on the route taken, and ascending 1,300 feet from the Flume West Trailhead. The peak can also be reached from the Bear Den Trailhead, from which the trail traverses a total of 1.5 miles and ascends approximately 1,025 feet.

Wilmington Flume Falls, a narrow gap and waterfalls in the West Branch Ausable River can be accessed from the Flume East Trailhead on a short trail, less than 0.1 mile in length, that descends approximately 75 feet from the trailhead to the shore of the West Branch Ausable River.

Trail head Locations:

Wilmington Flume Trailhead West Parking Area is located along Route 86 immediately north/east of the bridge over the West Branch Ausable. (N 44.3661°; W 73.8414°).

Wilmington Flume Trailhead East Parking Area is located on the opposite side of Route 86 and a short distance north/east of the West Parking Area. (N 44.3671°; W 73.8403°).

Accessible viewing pad with view of Beaver Pond

First Day Hikes Just Around the Corner

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, 2024.

The hikes and walks are usually between one and five miles, depending on location and conditions. Check out the list of participating state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands all across the state!

Trail Supporter Patches on Sale

For those who are patch collecting enthusiasts, would like to support trails on State lands, or are looking for the perfect gift for an outdoor lover—we have the perfect thing for you! A variety of trail-riffic patches are now for sale as a single patch or sets. All funds go towards the maintenance of non-motorized trails on State lands such as the Finger Lakes Trail, the Long Path, the Northville-Placid Trail, and many more.

The patches listed below are for sale through December 31, or while supplies last. Order by December 10 to get them in time for the holidays!

• Legacy Patch (single patch, $5) — this is the fanciest patch that highlights some of New York State’s most gorgeous trail-side features including mountains, lakes, and forests.
• Throwback Patch Set (set of 2 patches, $10) — this design is modeled after the classic trail marker found throughout New York’s State lands.
• Activity Patch Set (set of 5 patches, $25) — this design features the international symbols for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and camping.

More information and for patch ordering instructions.

Conservationist Makes a Great Holiday Gift!

Trying to find that perfect holiday gift for someone who enjoys the outdoors? Take advantage of our holiday sale and give that special someone a gift subscription to the Conservationist for only $6 for six issues. The sale runs from November 24 to December 24.

Subscriptions include Conservationist for Kids three times per year, as well as access to the enhanced Digital Edition. Visit DEC's website or call 1-800-678-6399 to subscribe.

Articles on outdoor adventure and natural science in every issue make the Conservationist the perfect gift. You will also find:

• Incredible places to fish, hike, camp, kayak, and explore;
• Awesome bird watching and animal photography; and
• Exciting natural wonders, right here in New York State.

In the latest issue of the Conservationist, readers will learn about some of the accomplishments DEC’s regional offices are making to safeguard New York’s environment. The issue also contains our popular annual calendar, which has become a reader favorite.

Conservationist, the magazine that brings NATURE to your door!

Remember to Wear Blaze Orange or Blaze Pink!

Did you know that hunting is one of the safest forms of outdoor recreation? Let’s keep it that way by wearing blaze orange or blaze pink when hunting for bear or deer this firearms season, or whenever recreating outdoors during hunting season.

Watch DEC's informational video about wearing blaze orange and blaze pink.

DEC Launches Redesigned and Mobile-Friendly Website

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officially debuted a redesigned public website.

The redesigned site offers a more responsive design and intuitive functionality, whether visitors are using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or handheld device. Features include streamlined navigation and new content presentation capabilities that allow DEC to better integrate video and other visual media. Updated DEC website URLs are all plain text, improving the ability of search engines to find and connect users to content. To ensure visitors can still find their favorite web pages from the old design, DEC has established redirects to the new web pages. 

Expanded, task-focused navigation makes it easier for visitors to find regulatory, environmental protection, licensing, and environmental education content and resources more quickly. Larger call-to-action sections make it easy to purchase licenses, search for job openings, sign up for topic-specific newsletters through DEC Delivers, or subscribe to DEC’s Conservationist Magazine.

To experience the website redesign, learn more about DEC’s programs, or find your next outdoor adventure, go to https://dec.ny.gov.

Upcoming Events

For information about upcoming events at DEC’s environmental education centers, visit the following links:

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany County)

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve and Environmental Education Center (Erie County)

Rogers Environmental Education Center (Chenango County)

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County)

Check Out Our Facebook Live Events

Visit DEC’s Facebook page for updates and to view our Facebook Live offerings. From adventures at fish hatcheries and nighttime hikes to Q&As about black bears, there is always something to see and learn.