Living the Green Life

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Get Outdoors & Get Together Day – Join us on June 14, 2025! DEC and State Parks, in partnership with other NYS agencies, will host events across the state to connect people to nature and provide increased access to the outdoors. This event brings together people of all abilities, ages, identities, and backgrounds for fun, healthy activities as part of the Governor's initiative to broaden the diversity of users and ensure inclusivity of access to state public lands.

• This day coincides with National Get Outdoors Day, an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Try fishing, archery, kayaking, bird watching, hiking and so much more at one of our many locations across the state!

Outdoor Recreation Discounts:

• The NYS Access Pass provides people with qualifying disabilities free day use entry and discounts on camping reservations at DEC Campgrounds and Day Use Areas and facilities operated by the State Parks.
• Residents who are blind are eligible for a free fishing license. Visit the Free/Reduced Fee Sporting Licenses webpage for Persons with Disabilities for more information.

DEC Accessible Recreation webpage has information about accessible recreation on DEC lands.

• DEC policies and procedures for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);

• Free/reduced fee sporting licenses;

• Permits and accommodations for hunters with disabilities; and  

• Motorized Access Permits for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD).

Motorized Access Permits for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) – The MAPPWD permit is a temporary revocable permit (TRP) that provides motor vehicle access to certain state lands administered by DEC. MAPPWD permit holders are permitted uncommon access to activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation. The permit is only issued to qualified people with disabilities, who must complete and submit the appropriate application (PDF).

DEC Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights – oversees the Accessibility Program and ensures these goals are achieved along with the DEC Accessibility Coordinators. DEC also has an active Accessibility Advisory Committee (PDF), consisting of individuals with disabilities and representatives from organizations which serve people with disabilities, who are committed to advancing goals that raise awareness of access for people with disabilities. The Committee provides assistance, advice and guidance to DEC regarding accessibility of recreational facilities, programs, and services.

Explore accessible recreation destinations in New York – and remember, “these lands are for everyone.”

Did you know that?

• The ‘Find your Adventure’ feature on the interactive Accessible Recreation Destinations map allows you to search by the activity you are interested in including: Hiking, Boating, Paddling, Fishing, and Camping.
• DEC offers facilities designed and constructed to provide shore-based fishing access to anglers with disabilities. These sites have constructed fishing platforms or shoreline fishing areas designed to accessibility standards for people with disabilities. Visit the Places to Fish webpage for a comprehensive listing of fishing access sites and Boat Launch Sites to find accessible trailered and hand boat launches.  
• DEC works to provide access to all web site content, services, and transactions to persons with disabilities to the greatest extent possible. Careful consideration of accessibility has been applied during the design, posting, and maintenance of all web content.

Be a friend of the environment

There is no place like home (to compost!) — as International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is May 4-10. The week recognizes the importance of composting residentially and commercially. This year's theme is "Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!" Also, check out your local resources for composting. Some towns may offer backyard composter and rain barrel sales. View your local town website to find offerings in your area. Read more about home composting.

Are you awAIR that Air Quality Awareness Week is May 5 to 9? — The goal of this week is to increase awareness of how vital clean air is and to inspire people to take steps to reduce their contribution to air pollution. Let’s take action together to keep our air clean.

Spring into planting — looking to plant flowers? Create a pollinator garden. Pollinators help our environment and they can use our help! One way to do that is through growing pollinator-friendly plants. Keep an eye out as National Pollinator Week is celebrated in June. Remember, it is not just bees—bats, butterflies, certain birds, and more comprise the pollinator community.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Notification — HABs season begins in May. Learn how to identify HABs and how they should be avoided by people and pets. DEC provides a page where you report HABs you spot and notify us accordingly.

Yard sale season — Have items you are looking to get rid of which still may be useful to others? Then consider having a yard sale. Check in with friends and neighbors who may also be looking to sell—consider a multi-family or community wide sale, as those typically bring in more shoppers. In need of items yourself? Before buying new, explore second-hand options at yard sales, thrift stores, or even online. If you conduct a sale and have items left over you can donate them to a local charity or thrift store instead of discarding the items in the trash. Learn how to reuse more and repurpose wherever possible. Another plus—having a yard sale can bring in some money, and shopping at yard sales can result in financial savings. Either way, reusing helps our environment.

Spring cleanup — raking, mowing, tending to trees and bushes are all ways we clean up in the spring from winter's remnants. Remember the statewide burn ban is effect until May 14 — learn about how to keep our air clean. Many local communities offer curbside pick-up where lawn debris is often composted. Speaking of clean-ups on a larger scale, DEC oversees environmental cleanups year-round of contaminated areas throughout our state as part of the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP). Interested in learning more? Check out the BCP program information for local clean-up community updates, fact sheets, and more.

Happy camper — looking to pitch a tent and enjoy camping in the great outdoors this spring/summer? Remember to "Love Our NY Lands" and follow the principles of "Leave No Trace^TM" — and help keep our campgrounds clean. Carry out what you bring in and get ready for those campfire moments and memories.