Have you ever been walking in the woods and noticed a fun-sized forest underfoot? Then you’ve spotted clubmoss, a native family of evergreen plants with an ancient past. Having evolved … more

Four inches of solid, clear ice is generally considered safe when accessing ice on foot. It’s not only good practice to check thickness before leaving shore, but also at multiple locations when on … more

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding businesses, organizations, and consumers of upcoming waste reduction law requirements that took effect on Jan. 1. The … more

The Catskill Mountain Club, a 22-year-old grassroots nonprofit devoted to non-motorized outdoor recreation, will offer a full slate of free, member-led hikes across the Catskill Mountains in … more

With a stretch of continuous freezing temperatures, the ice fishing season is ramping up in New York. Anglers have opportunities to catch northern pike, yellow perch, pickerel, lake trout, crappie, … more

Don’t let snow stop you from hiking your favorite New York State trails this winter—grab a pair of snowshoes to explore the outdoors and beat those winter blues! In fact, many trails are easier … more

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced the 2026 schedule for its Licensed Guide examinations, offering prospective guides multiple opportunities throughout the year … more

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to infect birds and mammals across the U.S. and Canada, including New York state. In November and December 2025, DEC received 69 reports of suspect … more

The DEC Summer Camps program offers week-long adventures in conservation education for children ages 11-17. DEC operates four residential camps for kids: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake, Franklin County; … more

Winter is here, bringing less daylight, cold temperatures, and snow. Winter also means unique outdoor opportunities such as sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and hiking. Those who have … more

Beginning on Jan. 1, no covered food service provider, manufacturer or store is allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute expanded polystyrene containers that are not wholly encapsulated or … more

Whether you’re ice fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or otherwise recreating on lake ice, there’s a few safety measures you should take before heading out on the ice. … more