Attend a Get Outdoors & Get Together Day Event
Join DEC, State Parks, Office for People with Development Disabilities, and Veterans’ Services at free events on, Saturday, June 10, across the state to try a new skill and enjoy the outdoors at Get Outdoors & Get Together Day, a day of inclusion for all people at New York’s accessible Parks and DEC lands. Locations will offer a selection of accessible activities and include a range of guided programming from fishing to nature walks, birding, archery, and more. New York's Get Outdoors & Get Together Day coincides with National Get Outdoors Day, an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun.
All locations offer wheelchair accessible features and activities including restrooms and select recreation opportunities. Please contact the event coordinator directly with accommodation requests and to find out about the adaptive equipment and activities offered at each site. Learn more by visiting DEC’s website.
Third Year of Parking Reservation System Launched at Adirondack Mountain Reserve
DEC and Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) announced the parking reservation system to promote safe access to trails in the Route 73 corridor will resume May 1. From May 1 through October 31, reservations will be required to access the parking lot, trailheads, and trails (PDF) on the privately owned 7,000-acre AMR property in the town of Keene in the Adirondacks High Peaks region. Reservations are available at no-cost, and must be obtained for single-day or overnight use and can be made as far as two weeks in advance on a 24-hour rolling basis. Reservations open frequently, so users are encouraged to check AMR’s website often for updates.
Thank you I Love My Park Day Volunteers!
Thank you to all who showed to help beautify, improve, and clean up state parks, trails, and public lands on the 12th annual I Love My Park Day. Thousands of volunteers showed up across New York to help raise awareness and visibility to the state outdoor recreation assets and their needs. Participants are encouraged to Love Our New York Lands all year by practicing Leave No Trace™ principles and by recreating safely, sustainably, and hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.
Missed out on this year’s I Love My Park Day event but interested in giving back to lands you love? Save the Date for Saturday, July 8 for more volunteer opportunities.
Take a Ride on the CDTA Nature Bus
Back by popular demand, Albany’s Nature Bus will return for a third year. The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC), the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), and local partners have made changes to the 2023 service. Service begins Saturday, May 27 and runs through Saturday, October 14, two weeks longer than last year, giving riders the chance to experience the changes of the season. Nature Bus service will alternate service to locations on a two-week rotating schedule. Location partners will offer free programming most Saturdays, including guided trail walks, educational programs for families, and self-guided activities.
Learn more by visiting Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s website.
Enjoy Migration Mania
Now is the prime time to experience birds migrating. Warblers, flycatchers, orioles, and shorebirds are making their way North to take advantage of food sources and nesting locations. Want to participate in the fun this season? Try:
- Taking the 2023 I BIRD NY Challenge.
- Attending a birding event near you.
- Being bird-friendly this spring by dimming the lights and making your windows safer.
- Finding a NYS Birding Trail site near you to visit
Celebrate #BlackBirdersWeek May 28 - June 3! Hosted by the BlackAFinSTEM Collective, Black Birders Week is an annual event that highlights Black nature enthusiasts while simultaneously working to increase the visibility of Black birders. The 2023 theme is Flying Full Circle, and focuses on themes like, “how Black birders share their joy of birds through a variety of means of expression, history and culture, and citizen science.” In solidarity with this event, DEC will be hosting several Black Birders Week events across the state in collaboration with partners, stay tuned to DEC’s website and social media for more details.
Interested in learning more? Visit the official 2023 Black Birders Week event page to access a schedule of events and community resources.
Photo Credits: Inclusive Woods & Us; equipment courtesy of REI