Living the Green Life

Top Living the Green Life

Explore More with DEC

Spring has arrived here in New York State and summer is on its way. What a perfect time to open the door and explore more with DEC. We provide resources and assistance to help you make the most of your next adventure in the great outdoors. If you are looking to:

Camp and/or Hike in New York – DECinfo Locator can help you find recreation information when planning your next excursion. This online mapping tool includes a variety of layers, resources, and offerings in detail – and is accessible on your cellphone, tablet, and computer.
- New to camping? Check out the details of the First Time Camper Weekend Program. This year’s lottery closes on June 20^th. Looking to Hike? Consider trails less traveled and our recommendations for great season-specific hikes. And do not forget to bring the 10-hiking essentials and to Leave No Trace^TM. Remember to sign in at the trail log – as those are checked by our DEC Forest Rangers who work together with our Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) to help insure safe hiking and outdoor experiences for all.
Learn about New York’s wildlife – The Conservationist Magazine can help you learn about bears, birds, fish, and other natural New York wildlife inhabitants. Stunning photography and engaging stories bring New York’s outdoors to your mailbox – either in person or digitally – depending on your subscription preference. As an added bonus, keep an eye out for editions which also include Conservationist for Kids! Check out the digital version of the Conservationist.
Go birding – take part in DEC’s I Bird NY Challenge. Also, consider visiting a location or locations recommended on the New York State birding trail. From the bluebird, our state symbol, to cardinals, chickadees and more – New York is home to a wide variety of feathered friends. Do not forget your binoculars!
Check Your Calendars – DEC's Calendar of Events is your go to check out upcoming happenings. You will find offerings at Five Rivers, Reinstein Woods, and additional Environmental Education Centers located in New York. Want your voice to be heard about something going on in your community? Search the Calendar for upcoming public meetings. It's also a great resource for finding Free Fishing Clinics, Hunter Education Courses, and so much more!
DEC-livered right to your Inbox – DEC Delivers newsletters cover a variety of topics – including the popular “Fishing Line” and the “Hunting and Trapping” newsletters. For those looking forward to “Becoming an Outdoors Women” (BOW) – there is a newsletter to update you on those upcoming BOW events as well. You can subscribe to receive these and many other offerings in your email inbox. Doing so, will help you stay up to date with regulations news, provide insight into species of fish and wildlife native to New York, and explore popular New York recreational destinations – and even enable you to pick up a tip or two which may help on your next fishing or hunting trip.
- Explore outdoor recreational destinations in your region of the state – monthly DEC regional newsletters often highlight spots for hiking, fishing, birding, camping, and much more. Tailored by your local DEC staff, these newsletters can help you stay up to date with what is happening in your area and with DEC. Subscribe to receive monthly news about your local community.
Keep up to date with DEC for all your recreation needs and more – visit us on Social Media. DEC aims to provide engaging, educational, and interesting content daily on a variety of topics from birds to bass and beyond! The DEC Calendar of Events will let you know when popular Facebook Lives and Instagram Lives are on schedule. These are great opportunities to learn about New York’s natural wildlife inhabitants and other topics of interest. Check DEC out on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Flickr.
Get more DEC-news at home or on the road – DEC’s Podcast “DEC
Does What?!” is your go to. This bi-weekly offering has covered “Why Did the Salamander Cross the Road?," "New Wetlands Law,” and “Pheasants and Deer and Bear, Oh My!” Check out these and other past offerings and mark your calendars for upcoming episodes!

These are just a few of the ways in which you can “explore more” with DEC. DEC provides information on volunteer opportunities, and a multitude of recreational activities including boating and paddling. And remember to “Love Our New York Lands” as you “Adventure New York” throughout 2025.

Did you know that?

You can win a commemorative patch and be entered into the grand prize drawing if you visit all of the Catskill Fire Towers. Complete the 2025 Catskill Fire Tower Challenge by December 31, 2025 to be entered into the drawing. This Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining DEC-managed fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), and the newest tower, the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center.
DEC operates four summer camps for young people - Camps Colby, DeBruce, Rushford, and Pack Forest. DEC Summer Camps combine environmental education, hunter education programs, and outdoor recreation into a fun adventure. At camp, there is a hands-on approach to teaching about the environment. Campers will have the opportunity to gain experience with outdoor skills including backpacking, camping, and canoeing. They will explore New York's diverse habitats, have the chance to learn basic ecological concepts, and how human activities affect the environment. Campers solve challenges, explore environmental concepts, practice outdoor skills, and spend the week immersed in nature.
As featured in Living the Green Life last month, DEC provides “accessible recreation” – because “these lands are for everyone.” DEC welcomes all visitors to explore state lands, and DEC is committed to providing an ever-increasing range of accessible outdoor recreation opportunities. Visit Accessible Recreation Destinations to explore the range of wheelchair accessible opportunities statewide including an interactive online map to identify accessible features on DEC lands.

Be a Friend of the Environment

Pets and ticks — with summer there is a greater chance you will find a tick on your pet. Remember not to put flea or tick products down the drain or in the garbage. Dispose of such products properly as hazardous waste. You can reduce your dependency on such products by making sure your pet is clean and groomed. Also, vacuum your home regularly - especially during tick seasons. Find out more about how to be tick free.

Brush up — looking to put a new coat of paint on your fence this summer? Then you will be glad to learn about the "Post Consumer Paint Collection Program." This program includes paint drop-off sites for collection, reuse, and recycling of unused architectural paint. Read more about the Paint Take Back program.

Pollinator protection — National Pollinator Week is June 16-22, 2025. When planting this summer, consider native, pollinator friendly plants. Combine a few and before you know it your will have a pollinator garden which will help bees, butterflies, certain birds and more. These species play a vital role in our environmental balance and can use our help. Find out more about pollinator protection.

Non-toxic insect spray — if purchasing in a store, look for ingredients that won't hurt water, plants, and wildlife. Or you can DIY with this natural insect repellant recipe:

2 oz. of witch hazel.
2 oz. of distilled water (make sure to leave a little bit of room at the top).
20-25 drops for children age 3+ or 40-50 drops for adults and children age 10+ of essential oil. Common choices for repellents are: citronella, lemongrass, rosemary, geranium, spearmint, thyme, and clove.

Find other tips on DEC's Environmentally Friendly Camping page.

Yes you "can" — hot days call for a cold beverage. Whether you select water or soda, make sure to save containers with a deposit and take them back to your local grocery store or other redemption center. Read more about the Returnable Container Act (RCA), commonly referred to as “the bottle bill.” Making your own beverages, such as iced tea or lemonade? Remember to place the empty containers into your recycling bin if accepted by your local recycling program. Learn how to RecycleRightNY.

Campfire stories — summer is the perfect time to share tales around safe campfires. Remember it is illegal in New York to burn trash such as plastic, glass, and metal (like tin and aluminum cans). By avoiding burning these items you will help keep our air clean and healthy. Check the fire danger map to see if it is safe to have a fire at your location and make sure you only use local firewood. Doing so can help prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases that may threaten the health of our forests.

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day — is Saturday, June 14th. Enjoy all that nature has to offer by taking part in this statewide event brought to you by DEC and State Parks, in Partnership with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and the NYS Division of Veteran's Services. Free events will be hosted at various locations to help people connect with nature and provide increased access to the Outdoors. This event is meant to bring together people of all ages, abilities, identities and backgrounds together for fun, healthful activities. Interested? Read more about how to participate in an event near you.