Bramley Mountain Fire Tower’s second season is well underway and visitors and stewards alike are enjoying their time at the fire tower. The recently added peak and landmark identification signs … more

The bases were loaded with community spirit Saturday, Aug. 15, when about 30 players from New Kingston, Margaretville, Roxbury and Andes gathered for a friendly softball game in New Kingston. With … more

Are your beach, lake or pool outings typically accompanied by water wings, beach balls, inflatable lounge chairs, and floating pool toys? While these items are fun during sunny days, they’re made … more

For most birders, spring and fall migration is the peak of their annual birding. During migration, warblers light up the trees with color, shorebirds dot the beaches, and birds of prey soar … more

Calling all photographers, the 2026 Conservationist Photography Contest is open! Help inspire others by submitting your best photos highlighting New York State in three categories: wildlife, … more

Almost all native New York tree species are susceptible to the impacts of invasive species and pests, so it is important to limit their spread throughout the state. Invasive pests like Asian … more

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2026-27 season are now on sale. Licenses and … more

The Catskill Mountain Club will offer a series of free, member-led hikes in the Catskill Mountains throughout August. Founded 22 years ago, the grassroots nonprofit organizes hiking, paddling … more

The USDA has designated August as “Tree Check Month” and is asking the public to look for and report signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). This invasive beetle was first discovered in the … more

Happy Birthday Smokey Bear. On August 9, Smokey Bear turns 82. For more than 80 years, Smokey has been teaching generations of Americans about the importance of wildfire prevention. His powerful … more

Now is a great time to look for signs of oak wilt, a non-native fungus. Oak wilt affects both red and white oaks, but symptoms are more noticeable in red oaks, which can die in as little as six weeks … more

Black bears are highly active in New York State during August. This is when they begin searching for large amounts of high-calorie food (like ripening berries and fruits) to build up fat reserves for … more