In this issue:
For some great birding, visit Indian Creek Nature Center within the Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Canton. The center features approximately 320 acres of woods and wetlands, and borders flooded lands between the Oswegatchie and Grasse rivers that are designed to enhance waterfowl habitat. Included in the nearly eight miles of trails is a boardwalk trail through a marsh to an overlook with some great views. There are multiple wheelchair accessible locations as well. Don’t forget your binoculars so you can see migrating birds and other watchable wildlife! While you’re there, check out the other common wildlife species in the area. Indian Creek provides a handy checklist (PDF) on their website.
To plan a visit to this site or to check out other great birding areas located around New York State, visit the NYS Birding webpage.
Do you fish for striped bass in the Hudson River? Whether you catch-and-release or take home a keeper, you can be part of the Hudson River Cooperative Angler Program. Share your fishing trip information and help biologists understand and manage our striped bass fishery.
Here's how it works: Fill out a logbook that we provide or record your trips on your smartphone using DEC's Hudson River online logbook (PDF) whenever you fish on the tidal Hudson River (by boat or on the shore). Record general location, time, gear used, and what you caught (or if you didn't catch anything) and return the logbook when you are done fishing. You'll receive an annual newsletter summarizing the recreational fishery information, in addition to the latest news regarding the Hudson River and its regulations.
For more information on the angler program and instructions on installing the Survey123 App to access the online logbook, visit the Hudson River Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program section of DEC's website, or email hudsonangler@dec.ny.gov. The striped bass fishing season began on April 1, 2024. For information about fishing regulations, visit DEC's Freshwater Fishing Regulations webpage.
Note: If you primarily fish for striped bass in New York waters south of the George Washington Bridge, please visit DEC’s Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program or contact the Diadromous Fish Unit at sbcaprogram@dec.ny.gov or call (631) 380-3320.
Photo credit: Don Dinapole
Now in its 77th year, DEC operates four residential camps for children and hires 60 seasonal employees to provide week-long adventures in conservation education for children ages 11 to 17.
Working at a DEC camp is a great opportunity to gain practical outdoor, naturalist, teaching, leadership, and many other transferrable skills while living in a beautiful setting. Working with youth is an incomparable experience that will stick with you for a lifetime.
There are four camps:
- Camps Colby—Adirondacks
- Pack Forest—Adirondacks
- Camp DeBruce—Catskills
- Camp Rushford—Western NY
Available positions:
- Directors
- Assistant Directors
- Health Directors (NYS certified EMT, Paramedic, LPN, RN, PA, or MD)
- Waterfront Directors
- Counselors
- Cooks
- Camp Aides 1 and 2
Learn more about education camps employment, including available position details and required qualifications, on DEC's website. To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript to: campemploy@dec.ny.gov.
Roberto Clemente State Park is a 25-acre waterfront park located along the Harlem River in the Bronx. The park offers a variety of recreational and cultural activities year-round for youths, adults, senior citizens, and the physically challenged. The park showcases a native littoral (shoreline) zone, which includes salt marsh, tidal pool, upland coastal scrub shrub, and freshwater wetland habitats. In addition, native trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds throughout the park provide critical habitat for resident and migratory birds. Don't forget to bring your binoculars! Sherman Creek and Swindler Cove across the river also attract a plethora of waterfowl and wading birds.
Park facilities include a multi-purpose recreation building, an Olympic-size pool complex, ball fields, basketball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, a waterfront promenade, and wheelchair accessibility (except for the Upper Esplanade). Roberto Clemente State Park is also accessible via public transportation, and restrooms and parking are available on site. To plan a visit or to check out more unique birding areas located around New York State, check out the NYS Birding webpage.
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In the April/May issue of the Conservationist, you can read about DEC’s comprehensive efforts to protect New York’s muskie populations, and learn about DEC’s Marine Recreational Anglers Program, which keeps track of state records for 33 recreational marine fish species, including the largest fish ever landed in New York State—an enormous 3,450-pound white shark. The issue also contains an article about the evolution of DEC’s air quality forecasting program and how advances in the field helped New York State prepare for air quality impacts resulting from Canada’s historic wildfire season last year. In addition, you can learn about an exciting new technology that is revealing hidden secrets deep beneath Seneca Lake, as well as the tragic true story of New York’s first Forest Ranger to die in the line of duty when the first forest fire aerial detection flight tragically crashed on takeoff in 1970. You will also enjoy our regular features, like Letters, Briefly, and On Patrol in the latest issue of the Conservationist.
Visit DEC's website to subscribe, or call 1-800-678-6399. We now also offer a digital only subscription for just for $6 a year.
Conservationist, the magazine that brings NATURE to your door!
Be sure to check out DEC's wide selection of outdoor activities on our events calendar. View upcoming activities or all the planned events currently scheduled, including public hearings and meetings. 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 & Environmental Education Center (Erie County)
Rogers Environmental Education Center (Chenango County)
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County)
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.
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