Find Your Adventure - #AdventureAtHome

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 03/23/2021 09:49 AM EDT
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
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#AdventureAtHome: Trees & Outdoor Recreation

Did you know that DEC’s nursery (Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery) inSchool children standing by the edge of the Hudson River learning how to plant a tree Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, hosts an annual seedling sale each year through May? Seedlings can help play an important role in improving and enjoying outdoor spaces.

Stay tuned for our Facebook Live on Thursday, March 25 at 1:00 p.m. to learn more about DEC's Nursery. 

Create wildlife habitat for backyard birding. If you have a backyard, you can start your birders life list by observing for as little as 15 minutes a day. Check out our website to get started birding.

Planting DEC’s Wildlife Packet can help to attract birds and other wildlife to your yard to enhance wildlife viewing opportunities. The packet includes:

  • gray dogwood - berries support more than 100 bird species, pollinators, and small mammals
  • silky dogwood - thick patches create good cover and nesting sites for all kinds of wildlife
  • winged sumac - serves as a winter food source for bird species that overwinter, as well as both small and large mammals.

Order your Wildlife Packet today. Don’t have a backyard for planting or birding? Find a community garden near you. Community gardens offer shared spaces for planting and enjoyment. Discover trees at a local public land. 

Check out our YouTube Playlist to learn more about the benefits trees provide to outdoor recreation.

The Nursery helps grow seedlings for reforestation across the state to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities. These seedlings help forested areas with high deer populations regrow. There are several projects the Nursery produces seedlings for including Trees for Tribs and the School Seedling Program. Since it began in 1985, the school seedling program has provided 895,850 seedlings to schools and youth organizations.

*Photo taken prior to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.

Save the Date - I Love My Park Day 2021 

A child standing by a river holding up a piece of trash with a garbage pickerI Love My Park Day—the largest single-day volunteer event in NYS—will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021! With the ongoing pandemic, this year will look a little different, but will be modified for a safe, in-person I Love My Park Day event. Parks & Trails NY, in partnership with State Parks and DEC, will be hosting a more contained, two-day event on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2

Registration for volunteers will open at the end of March.

PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE * PLAY LOCAL

Two hikers with masks onSpring is here, and it’s time to get outside safely and responsibly. During the COVID-19 public health crisis, take the #PlaySmartPlaySafePlayLocal pledge.

PLAY SMART * PLAY SAFE — Practice social distancing, wash your hands, wear a mask to protect yourself and others. If it’s crowded, find somewhere else to go.

PLAY LOCAL — Stay close to home and #RecreateLocal in your region — amenities like restrooms and restaurants may not be open.

PLAY SMART — plan ahead. Make a list of alternate destinations and places to visit.

PLAY SAFE — stay home if you’re sick or if you’re part of a vulnerable population.