September 2023 Outdoor Discovery

Science on the River

Join DEC and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve to celebrate National Estuaries Day at an interactive "Science on the River" Open House at Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg on Saturday, September 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Canoe the waters around Norrie Point (canoes and paddles provided), watch a live birds of prey program with a Wildlife Rehabilitator, and have fun with oyster castles. Pull a seine-net through the shallow waters or try fishing with a rod and reel. Fishing rods will be provided, and no fishing license is required. Touch eels and see how an eel ladder works. Look at macroinvertebrates (water bugs) through a digital microscope and find out why they are indicators of good water quality. The event is free and family friendly.

Directions to Norrie Point Environmental Center.

Watchable Wildlife - Keeney Swamp Wildlife Management Area

Located in Allegany County, Keeney Swamp Wildlife Management Area is a designated Bird Conservation Area (BCA). Numerous species of waterfowl breed or migrate here through the various wetlands, including Canada geese, wood duck, American black duck, mallard, blue-winged teal, hooded merganser, bufflehead, tundra swan, common moorhen, Northern pintail, common loon, and pied-billed grebe. A tremendous diversity and abundance of songbirds also breed and migrate through the shrub and forest habitat on this BCA. Some grasslands also support grassland species including Northern harrier, upland sandpiper, vesper sparrow, bobolink, and Eastern meadowlark. In addition to providing great birding opportunities, this site features trails and visitor parking. Check out some of the latest bird sightings on eBird. To plan a visit to this site or to check out more unique birding areas located throughout New York State, check out the NYS Birding Trail map.

Get Hooked on The Fishing Line

Whether you’re an avid angler, just getting into fishing, or want to stay in the loop with DEC Fisheries, The Fishing Line newsletter has something for you!

Get the latest updates on fisheries management and how it ties into fishing, meet the staff making it happen, learn about recent fisheries surveys, and more. Sign up and get hooked today!

Fall For the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge

With cooler temps and changing colors, fall is a great time to take the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge! To enter, visit all six Catskill Fire Towers within the 2023 calendar year and submit an online or paper (PDF) hike log, along with a favorite photo from your adventure. All participants will receive a challenge patch, as well as a chance to win various outdoor prizes. Repeat finishers who have completed a past Catskill Fire Tower Challenge will also be awarded a commemorative mug.

For a bonus entry, submit a photo practicing Leave No Trace™ while out on your hikes. Make sure to plan ahead and prepare for your journey by learning more about the challenge and hikes, and deciding on the best time for you, your family, friends, or hiking companions to hit the trails!

Photo by Joseph Smyczynski

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 September 15.

Upcoming Events

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.

Reinstein Woods Fall Festival – Saturday, September 16, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Visitors can spend the day enjoying nature activities, exhibits, guided walks, live animals, and more. The festival is free and open to the public. Festivalgoers can practice wildlife observation skills at the Wildlife Spotters Challenge before heading out on a guided birding walk. Kids of all ages will become scientists through interactive activities at the Pond Exploration Zone and Science Zone, while also enjoying crafts, face painting, and costumed characters. For more information, go to the Friends of Reinstein Woods website.

Five Rivers 41st Annual Fall Festival – Saturday, September 23, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate all things Five Rivers. It's a family-oriented environmental celebration featuring hands-on outdoor educational activities, interactive exhibits, guided walks, and more. Enjoy opportunities to meet live animals and explore staffed exhibits from a wide range of local conservation partners. We'll have live music from local bands, food truck vendors, children's crafts and games, raffles with an array of items for all ages, and the Friends of Five Rivers Gift Shop. Held rain or shine! Free parking and admission, but we do encourage carpooling. For details, go to the Friends of Five Rivers' website.

For additional 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)

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.

Check Out the Redesigned Conservationist!

In the redesigned August/September issue of the Conservationist, readers can learn about DEC’s contributions to the efforts to extinguish the ongoing wildfires in Canada and protect our lives and natural resources. In addition, readers will learn about an innovative partnership focused on science and engineering education that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion of students in historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged communities. Readers can also learn about the sharks that inhabit New York’s waters and how they are an integral part of our marine ecosystems. Or, how hunters can help protect wildlife and people by switching to non-lead ammunition. Finally, readers can learn how prescribed fire plays an important role in managing wildlife habitat and protecting property by preventing out-of-control wildfires. All this and more in the latest issue of the Conservationist.

Visit DEC's website to subscribe, or call 1-518-402-8047. We now also offer a digital only subscription for just for $6 a year.