Explore NY

18/06/2025

'CleanSweepNY' Program Collects Record-Breaking Amount of Chemicals in the Hudson Valley NY

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the record-breaking results of recent CleanSweepNY collection events in DEC’s Region 3 (lower Hudson Valley). Held during the week of May 12, the events collected more than 222,000 pounds of ch...

11/06/2025

Campfire Cooking Tip!
Upgrade your campfire meals with this easy foil-pack recipe:
🥔 Potatoes + peppers + sausage + olive oil + seasonings
Wrap it, toss it on the fire, flip after 15 mins = magic ✨
What’s your go-to camping meal?

11/06/2025

Hidden Gem Alert!
Tired of crowded campgrounds? Try Brown Tract Pond Campground in the Adirondacks! 🌲
✔️ Lakeside camping
✔️ Canoe rentals
✔️ Peaceful forest trails
Tag someone who needs a weekend getaway!

https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/brown-tract-pond-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NY&parkId=625

11/06/2025

Camp Like a Pro!
🔥 Ready to roast marshmallows under the stars? Whether you're a seasoned camper or just starting out, New York has the perfect spot for you! From the Catskills to the Adirondacks, grab your gear and hit the trail.
📍 Favorite campground in NY? Drop it in the comments!

11/06/2025

DEC Announces Onondaga Lake Restoration Milestone: Transfer of Visitor Center to State

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the property transfer of the Onondaga Lake Visitor Center in Syracuse, Onondaga County, from Honeywell International, Inc., to New York State. The Center will feature informative displays about the historic cleanup and restoration of Onondaga Lake, its tributaries, and watershed, affording New Yorkers another way to connect to this important waterbody.

“Onondaga Lake is an incredible natural resource and the cleanup of one of New York’s most polluted waterbodies is an undeniable success story,” Commissioner Lefton said. “DEC embraces the opportunity to help New Yorkers and visitors alike learn about the history of the lake and its cleanup and the ecosystems its rebirth is helping to support and thrive.”

The Onondaga Lake Visitor Center (OLVC) was originally built and opened in 2012 by Honeywell to share information with the public about the cleanup and the history of the lake. Displays in the OLVC showcase the cleanup plan and progress, return of native plants and animals, and habitat restoration and enhancements. The Center will retain its name and following renovations, it will become a public outreach facility operated by DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Education.

DEC will operate the center seasonally, April through October, and serve as a point of contact for environmental and educational organizations interested in hosting events or programming at the lakeside location. By fostering partnerships with local colleges and universities, including the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, the center will provide learning and career development opportunities for students of all ages.

https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2025/6/dec-announces-onondaga-lake-restoration-milestone-transfer-of-visitor-center-to-state

11/06/2025

The Officer found a large cooler, partially hidden under a rowboat, containing three live snapping turtles. Once confronted with the evidence, one subject admitted to using a spotlight to draw the turtles to the surface of the water before...

Oh Snap! – Westchester CountyOn May 3, ECO Murphy received a call from the Somers Police Department regarding three people in a boat on the Muscoot Reservoir in Westchester County shining a spotlight in the woods. ECO Murphy went to the location and observed three individuals in a rowboat stop at ...

11/06/2025

Albany County, NY – June 7, 2025 — In a massive step toward reforesting New York and combating climate change, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) joined forces with nearly 100 volunteers to plant over 500 native trees and shrubs in just one day. The location? The Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, now home to DEC’s first-ever mini forest, also known as a pocket forest or Miyawaki forest.

This hands-on, community-driven effort is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious 25 Million Trees Initiative, a statewide campaign to enhance green spaces, improve public health, and address the climate crisis.

The Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, now home to DEC’s first-ever mini forest, also known as a pocket forest or Miyawaki forest. This hands-on, community-driven effort is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious 25 Million Trees Initiative, a statewide campaign to enhance green space...

06/06/2025

🍷 Join us this Saturday (6/7) for 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 at the Utica Zoo! 🍷

📅 Date: June 7, 2025
🕕 Time: 6-9 PM
📍 Where: Utica Zoo

🍇🌿 Sample New York State wines, groove to live music, and savor delicious treats from food trucks and vendors. NEW THIS YEAR – Wine & Seltzer Samples from City Liquors!

Wine in the Wilderness is the Utica Zoo’s annual 21+ wine-tasting event that takes place right here on the zoo grounds annually in June.

The first 100 visitors will receive a $15 Uber gift card courtesy of our Designated Driver sponsor Steet Ponte Auto Group!

Gather your friends and join us for a memorable evening! 🔗 For ticket information and more details, visit our website: https://www.uticazoo.org/wine/

05/06/2025

Top 5 Kayaking Spots in the Adirondacks

Whether you’re gliding through a quiet lake, navigating a winding river, or exploring coastal waters, kayaking offers a one-of-a-kind connection to nature and adventure.

05/06/2025

Whether you’re gliding through a quiet lake, navigating a winding river, or exploring coastal waters, kayaking offers a one-of-a-kind connection to nature and adventure. But before you dip your paddle into the water, make sure you're set up for success and safety with these tried-and-true kayaking tips.

Whether you’re gliding through a quiet lake, navigating a winding river, or exploring coastal waters, kayaking offers a one-of-a-kind connection to nature and adventure. But before you dip your paddle into the water, make sure you're set up for success and safety with these tried-and-true kayaking...

05/06/2025

🧭🔥 The Ultimate Survival Sidekick is HERE!
Whether you're camping, hiking, prepping, or just love adventure—this 19-in-1 Survival Kit has everything you need to be ready for anything! 💪🌲

✅ 5-in-1 Paracord Bracelet
✅ Built-in Compass & Emergency Whistle
✅ Thermal Blanket (Stay warm, stay alive)
✅ 15+ more essential tools for any emergency 🧰

Compact. Powerful. Always ready.
🎒 Keep it in your car, backpack, or bug-out bag!

👉 Grab yours on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mNAtIX

Survival Kits

05/06/2025

Okay, picture this: it’s a warm night, the stars are twinkling, marshmallows are roasting, and suddenly—💥 your campfire turns into a swirling rainbow of colors. Purples, greens, electric blues, and fiery reds start dancing in the flames like something out of a fantasy movie. Sound dreamy? Well, it can be your reality with these insanely cool Color Changing Fire Packets!

Color Your Fire – Happy party time! Make fun to your kids, family and friends for an impressive bonfire night! We made these fire color fire packets fire pit, bonfire and indoor fireplace-friendly, so you can experience magically-colored fire wherever you are