Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸

Forest Rangers, staff from DEC's Division of Lands and Forests, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Albany Pine Bush conducted a prescribed burn of over four acres at the Albany Pine Bush on Oct. 28, and over 34 acres at Moreau Lake State Park on Oct. 29.

Tomorrow, Nov. 6, DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton is joining a panel discussion on "Weathering the Federal Storm" at the 2025 SOMOS Puerto Rico Conference. 👏

Leaves are falling across NYS. Consider using zero-emission lawn equipment to clear the leaves, including electric mowers or leaf blowers, or even manual tools such as rakes to limit air emissions. Check out the latest issue of Air Mail! to learn more ⤵️ content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYS...

Congratulations @governor.ny.gov! DEC is proud to be a partner in making real climate progress that protects New York's communities. time.com/collections/...

With nearly 3 million New Yorkers potentially losing their federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance in November, DEC is encouraging hunters to help fight hunger in our communities at this critical time. Learn how to donate your deer harvest: dec.ny.gov/things-to-do...

On Oct. 17, 13 Forest Rangers passed their reaccreditation with the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) for technical rope rescue certification using technical skills learned on difficult high- and low-angle rope rescues.

Week 7️⃣ of the @i-love-ny.bsky.social Fall Foliage Report is out! 🍂 To view the full report, visit www.iloveny.com/things-to-do...

Week 6️⃣ of the @i-love-ny.bsky.social Fall Foliage Report is here! 🍂 For the full report, visit www.iloveny.com/things-to-do...

A strong coastal storm is forecast to impact Long Island, New York City, and the lower Hudson Valley during Columbus Day weekend: www.governor.ny.gov/news/governo... The storm will bring: 🌧️ Heavy rain 1.5-3 inches 💨 Strong winds - gusts up to 60 mph 🛟 Potential for coastal flooding

Phew! What a re-leaf to know that Week 5️⃣ of the @i-love-ny.bsky.social Fall Foliage Report is out! 🍂 To read the full report, visit www.iloveny.com/things-to-do...

A statewide burn ban is in effect due to increased fire risk and continued dry conditions. The ban is in effect through October 15th and will be reevaluated prior to expiration. You can help prevent fires in communities and in the backcountry by complying with the prohibition on most outdoor fires.

It’s officially autumn and leaves are beginning to fall off the trees. While fallen leaves can be a hassle, there are plenty sustainable ways to handle them, such as composting, making scarecrows, or even just letting them be.

Don’t stop be-leafing! Week 4️⃣ of the @i-love-ny.bsky.social Fall Foliage Report has dropped! 🍂 🍁 Beautiful peak fall colors will continue to spread through the Adirondacks and Catskills, and are expected to arrive in some parts of the Chautauqua-Allegheny and Finger Lakes regions this weekend.

Happy #NationalCoffeeDay! Also known as the DEC Social Media Team's favorite day. ☕️ Celebrate by ditching a single use cup for something reusable like a travel mug to enjoy your hot bean water.

Members of the DEC proudly ran the Tunnels to Towers 5K Sunday September 28. The DEC runners were supporting Team Hootch organized to honor the life of Lt. Michael Hoosock, OCSO who was killed in the line of duty April 14, 2024.

A drought warning was issued today in 12 counties in the Adirondack and Southern Tier regions and a drought watch was expanded to include 6 counties in the Susquehanna region. A drought watch or warning is now in effect for the entire state except for New York City and Westchester County.

DEC joins the nation in recognizing the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” which recognizes the rich diversity, resilience, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin communities in the United States past, present, and future.

Leaf it to autumn to show off!  Week 2️⃣ of the @i-love-ny.bsky.social Fall Foliage Report is out! 🍂 For the full report, visit www.iloveny.com/things-to-do...

📣 Attention Adirondacks! The Boreas Water Access Trail is undergoing construction from 9/15-10/31. During this time, the motorized access route for people with disabilities will be closed. 🧵 ⤵️

Get There Green! is coming up September 21 – 28 and you can make a difference by taking at least one trip during that time using green transportation. #GTG25 on.ny.gov/3O5w9El

Recently, Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) joined staff from DEC's I FISH NY program and New York State Parks in assisting 20 adults with special needs from Life’s WORC Services and Programs for a 2-hour fishing clinic at Captree State Park in Suffolk County (Long Island).

DEC Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Maynard, ECO Toomey, Major Daly, Lt. Levanway, ECO Bieber and ECO Ableson attended the World Trade Center memorial service today in New York City. Major Daly and Lt. Levanway were both 9/11 responders. #NeverForget

Today, Sept. 10, the drought watch originally announced on Aug. 29 has been expanded by 30 NYS counties, bringing the total to 50 counties. Residents in affected counties are encouraged to conserve water whenever possible. Find updates and see if your county is on the list: on.ny.gov/4nwt5Bv

We are unbe-leaf-ably happy that Week 1️⃣ of the @i-love-ny.bsky.social Fall Foliage Report is out! To view the report, visit www.iloveny.com/things-to-do... 🍁🍂

While off-duty and spending the day at a Westchester Co. lake with family on Aug.30, Forest Ranger Lt. Gullen was alerted to someone calling for help near a popular cliff-jumping area. Someone had jumped from approximately 50 ft. up and suffered a back injury as they entered the water.

Could your artwork be the next winner in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest? Submit your “Trees for the Future” themed photo or artwork by November 30, 2025, for a chance to be part of the tradition! 📷: Abigail Bernard

DEC continues to monitor smoke from wildfires in western states for potential impacts on New York’s air quality. DEC experts are forecasting mostly a “good to low-moderate” Air Quality Index (AQI) across NYS—below levels that trigger an Air Quality Health Advisory.

DEC, in coordination with the @nysdoh.bsky.social, is investigating environmental impacts following a fire that took place on August 30 at the Eco Operations facility in Gorham (Ontario Co.).

Get your reusable coolers ready! Polystyrene foam is a top contributor of litter, and starting Jan 1, 2026, NYS’s Foam Ban will expand to ban polystyrene foam coolers and other foam containers used for cold storage in the State.

This Saturday, September 6, is Adirondack and Catskill Park Day! Join DEC and Parks & Trails New York for a day of stewardship on our public lands. Gather friends and family and give back to the lands you love. To find an event near you, visit on.ny.gov/3T2azDx

A drought watch has been issued today, Aug. 29, for the following NYS counties: Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Warren, Wayne, and the northern portion of Cayuga County.

DEC, in coordination with @nysdoh.bsky.social and Cattaraugus Co. Health Dept., is investigating a potential organic waste discharge to Ischua Creek and a significant fish and wildlife die-off. 🧵⤵️

The August/September 2025 issue of New York State Conservationist Magazine is out and features: ✅ The Allegheny River Watershed: Unsung Hero of Biodiversity ✅ Trout Sampling in Naples Creek ✅ Hidden Waterfalls and much more… ➡️ Subscribe today or give a gift subscription dec.ny.gov/news/conserv...

Join DEC at The Great New York State Fair now through Sept. 1! Some of the fun to look forward to: 🎣 Free Family Fishing, Aug. 22 & 29, 12-5 PM both days, 📖 Discounted Conservationist subscription (6 issues for $10) 🏹 Sporting license and Trail Supporter patch sales 🌱 Free tree seedlings

DEC is closely monitoring smoke from wildfires for potential impacts on NY’s air quality. DEC experts are forecasting mostly “good to low-moderate” levels across the state today, 8/20—below levels that trigger an Air Quality Health Advisory. 🧵 @nysdoh.bsky.social

Did you know, the gray fox is the only canid native to North America that can climb trees? With semi-retractable, hooked claws, it jumps from limb to limb looking for food and avoiding predators. Gray fox dens are sometimes even found several yards above ground! #WildlifeWednesday 📷: Gerald Simek

DEC is closely monitoring smoke from wildfires for potential impacts on New York’s air quality, particularly in northern New York State. DEC experts are forecasting air quality for tomorrow, August 14th, will be below levels that trigger an Air Quality Health Advisory.

DEC and @nysdoh.bsky.social have issued an updated air quality health advisory for TODAY, August 12, to include Ozone for the Long Island region. The advisory for ozone remains in effect for the New York City Metro and Lower Hudson Valley Regions.

DEC and @nysdoh.bsky.social have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for TOMORROW, August 12, for Ozone in the New York City Metro and Lower Hudson Valley regions. 👉 Latest AQI forecast: extapps.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps... ☎️ Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-535-1345

DEC and @nysdoh.bsky.social have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for TOMORROW, August 11, for Ozone in the Long Island, NYC Metro, and Lower Hudson Valley regions. 👉 Latest AQI forecast: extapps.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps... ☎️ Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-535-1345

DEC and @nysdoh.bsky.social have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for TOMORROW, August 10, for Ozone in the NYC Metro region, which includes NYC and Rockland and Westchester Counties. 👉 Latest AQI forecast: extapps.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps... ☎️ Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-535-1345

DEC is closely monitoring smoke from wildfires for potential impacts on New York’s air quality. DEC experts are forecasting “moderate” levels today, August 8, below levels that trigger an Air Quality Health Advisory.

DEC and @nysdoh.bsky.social have issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for TODAY, August 6, for Fine Particles in the the Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York, and Western New York regions.

On August 3, Essex County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who had fallen into the first pool at Split Rock Falls, resulting in head and back injuries.

DEC and @nysdoh.bsky.social have issued an air quality health advisory for TODAY, August 5, to include fine particles for the NYC Metro, Lower & Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central NY and Western NY regions.

DEC and @nysdoh.bsky.social have issued an updated air quality health advisory for TODAY, August 4, to include ozone for the NYC Metro and Long Island regions. 👉 Latest AQI forecast: extapps.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps... ☎️ Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-535-1345

Got algae in your pond or lake? It’s giving harmful. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) that is. HABs are an overgrowth of algae that can produce toxins that can be harmful to the health of humans and pets.

DEC is closely monitoring smoke from wildfires for potential impacts on NY’s air quality. DEC experts are forecasting “moderate” levels today below levels that trigger an Air Quality Health Advisory. 👉 Latest AQI forecast: extapps.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps... ☎️ Air Quality Hotline: 1-800-535-1345

Happy #WorldRangerDay to our brave Forest Rangers past and present who have served across New York State. For more than 100 years, New York State Forest Rangers have extinguished wildfires, found and rescued the lost and injured, and enforced state land use and wildfire prevention laws.