New York landowners sought for grassland preservation to help state birds
Several grassland-dwelling songbirds in New York state face a threat to their survival as the habitat they rely on has been in decline.
State wildlife managers have worked to improve that habitat on state land, but say the vast majority of grasslands in the state are on private property. The Department of Environmental Conservation and other state and federal agencies collaborated to launch a program in 2008 designed to encourage landowners in specific target areas to convert more of their properties to grasslands, and now program managers are pushing for more participation.
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New York sportsmen’s groups wary of public land usage study for Kaaterskill Clove area in eastern Catskills
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is in the midst of a study into future best use practices at one of the most popular destinations in the Catskill Park, in a project closely watched by sportsmen and conservation groups.
Kaaterskill Clove is a deep gorge in the eastern Catskills, just west of the village of Palenville, in Greene County. The clove, estimated to be as much as one million years old, was formed by Kaaterskill Creek, and its scenic views make it a popular stop for hikers, photographers and artists.
New York’s Allegany County Pheasant Program prevails amid flu outbreak in March
A popular initiative that boosts pheasant hunting opportunities in Allegany County will go on as usual this year, despite a disease outbreak that threatened New York’s annual pheasant propagation and stocking program.
The Allegany County Pheasant Program is a collaboration between a group of private stakeholders and the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, and since 2008 has supplemented ring-necked stocking by the state Department of Environmental Conservation with hundreds of additional birds and multiple available hunting locations.
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Group seeks protection for Delaware River sturgeon
The Delaware River might be best known for George Washington’s legendary crossing during the American Revolution, but the river that touches parts of four different Northeastern states also supports populations of Atlantic sturgeon – in numbers that are dwindling.
And an organization dedicated to preserving that resource is pushing wildlife officials to classify those fish as unique, and not lump them in with sturgeon found in other river systems.
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Fish passage 10 years in the making reconnects vital habitat areas in New York
Byron Young may not be a household name, but he’s well known in Suffolk County, N.Y., for his longtime dedication to the construction of a fish passage through Woodhull Dam on the Little River, a project deemed essential to restoring critical spawning and maturation habitat for river herring and American eel.
Now the retired marine biologist, who spent more than three decades with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, can enjoy a taste of immortality, as the newly minted dam was named in his honor.
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New York trout streams absorb heavy floodwaters
As residents in many parts of New York and neighboring states work to recover from July heavy rains and flooding, angling enthusiasts are also concerned about a less urgent but still vexing question.
What did all that storm water do to public trout fishing streams? Several popular trout streams around the Adirondacks and downstate, particularly in Orange County, overflowed their banks as a result of torrential rains.
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New York’s pheasant raising program dates back more than a century, and hunters depend on it
It’s a heart-stopping experience that avid bird hunters never tire of.
You’re stomping through the brush behind your faithful dog as it eagerly unravels a fresh scent, while you tighten the grip on your shotgun in anticipation. Then, the moment of truth arrives. With an explosion of wing beats and a raucous cackle, a kaleidoscopic rooster pheasant bursts into the air, and if you can keep your cool, he will soon be nestled in your game bag.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection eyes fall repairs of Delaware Aqueduct
The final phase of a project to repair an aqueduct system that provides New York City with about half its drinking water is scheduled to begin this fall, meaning the system will be shut down for about eight months.
More than 135,000 acres of land and water within the city’s watersheds are open for recreation, including boating and fishing, hunting and trapping. The good news, according to officials, is the shutdown shouldn’t affect hunting opportunities within the system and should have a limited impact on fishing, although ice anglers will likely encounter some restrictions.
New York’s spongy moths return likely, not as intense after treatments
First the bad news – invasive spongy moths are still present in New York and remain a threat to its forests.
But there’s also good news. A few years into an aggressive program to control the insects formerly known as gypsy moths, the state Department of Environmental Conservation is reporting significant progress.
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