DEC and Trout Unlimited announced a multi-phase culvert replacement project in the Moose River Plains Complex (Herkimer and Hamilton counties) beginning June 15, 2026. The project will replace over 50 culverts to reconnect 43 miles of brook trout habitat; initial phase focuses on Limekiln Lake–Cedar River Road with closures of Cedar River Flow Headquarters to Campsite 20 through July 3.

DEC announces temporary closure of Butterfield Lake Boat Launch in Jefferson County from June 8 through early fall for site improvements, parking enhancements, and boat ramp replacement.

DEC announces New York's 13th annual Invasive Species Awareness Week (June 8–14, 2026) with free public events, webinars, workshops, and guided hikes to educate about invasive species threats and management.

DEC advisory reminding the public not to interact with young wildlife (fawns, nestlings, fledglings) as their parents are typically nearby and human interference can harm both animals and people. The advisory covers wildlife care best practices and reminds the public to contact licensed wildlife rehabilitators for injured or orphaned animals.

DEC is expanding the main parking lot at Tinker Falls in Labrador Hollow Unique Area from 20 to 45 spaces. Work is underway and expected to last three weeks; visitors can use auxiliary lots during closure.

DEC and the New York Attorney General awarded $1.34 million in agricultural innovation grants to 25 farms in Delaware and Sullivan Counties using settlement funds from a Friesland manufacturing facility pollution case. The funding supports projects in precision agriculture technology, soil health management, and agricultural drones to improve sustainability and environmental protection in the Catskills region.

DEC reopened the Stanley J. Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area trail in Onondaga County after temporary closure for fire cleanup and boardwalk replacement. A boardwalk and viewing blind were destroyed by fire on May 13, 2026.

DEC announces 2026 visitor safety and sustainable use initiatives for Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, including parking restrictions on Route 73, hiring of Assistant Forest Rangers, trailhead steward programs, and visitor use management plans to address overcrowding and resource protection.

DEC press release reminding water recreationists to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and equipment to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The announcement describes the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program expansion across New York State, including new operations at Oneida Lake.

DEC announces a final Recreation Management Plan for three Hamilton County conservation easement tracts (Speculator Tree Farm, Perkins Clearing, and Burnham Mountain) totaling 38,233 acres, detailing recreational access including snowmobiling, hiking, camping, and paddling alongside sustainable forest management practices.

DEC announces temporary closure of Hamlin Marsh Wildlife Management Area trail in Onondaga County following fire damage to a boardwalk and viewing blind on May 13. Trail will reopen after debris cleanup and investigation completion, expected in a few days.

DEC announces water system maintenance at Sugar Hill Recreation Area in Schuyler County ahead of the May 18, 2026 season opening; potable water and restroom services will be unavailable for an indeterminate period, though accessible portable restrooms will be provided.

DEC and Peconic Land Trust completed trail realignment, habitat restoration, and waterfront access improvements at the 100-acre Broad Cove Preserve in Suffolk County. The work included removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, creating new trail segments, and installing observation areas to enhance visitor experience and wildlife habitat.

A DEC press release summarizing 2025 law enforcement activities and reporting recent illegal burn violations in Ulster and Sullivan counties during fire season (March 16 – May 14 burn ban period).

DEC announces temporary closure of Big Otter Lake Road to motorized vehicles due to spring washout damage; road remains open for non-motorized use with caution advised.

DEC announces temporary closure of the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area parking lot from May 10–16, 2026 for a paving project to improve parking conditions.

DEC announces temporary closure of Carncross Road to Howland Island at Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area due to flood-stage water from continued precipitation events. Alternative access to Howland Island is available by boat only.

DEC and Hudson River Valley Greenway completed paving improvements on a 9.5-mile section of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail in Columbia County, replacing stone dust with asphalt to address erosion and improve trail safety and resilience. The project was funded by the Environmental Bond Act and completed in June 2025 with additional drainage improvements finished in October.

DEC announces the return of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve parking reservation system for the 2026 season beginning April 17. The no-cost reservation system is required for parking and trail access at AMR from May 1 through October 31 to improve visitor safety and manage parking congestion along Route 73.

DEC announces 2026 spring turkey hunting season in Suffolk County (May 1–31), with Youth Turkey Season April 25–26. Reservations for state-managed lands now use an online system through ReserveAmerica on a first-come, first-served basis.

DEC announces temporary closure of Stony Creek Fishing Access Site in Jefferson County beginning April 6, 2026 due to a DOT bridge replacement project on State Route 3. Full public access is expected to resume in late summer 2026.

DEC announces temporary closure of Severne Point Boat Launch Access Site on Seneca Lake due to high water levels from recent weather.

DEC released visitor use management reports for the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness and Kaaterskill Clove examining impacts from increasing visitation, crowding, and trail degradation. Public feedback is being solicited through June 1, 2026, with virtual public meetings scheduled for April 22 and 29, 2026.

DEC announces an immediate temporary closure of the Fishing Pier at Crown Point Campground due to structural damage to the pier roof. The closure may continue through the 2026 season while structural evaluation and repairs are underway.

The New York State DEC announced $5.1 million in grants across 51 projects statewide to control invasive species and restore damaged habitats, supporting ecosystem health and community wellbeing through prevention, detection, management, and restoration efforts.

DEC announcement of the April 1 start of New York's spring trout fishing season, including stocking information and resources for anglers.

DEC announces the start of prescribed fire season from March through early May 2026, with planned burns across eight regions of New York State to reduce fuel loads, prevent wildfires, and achieve ecological management goals.

DEC announces that upstate New York drought regions (II-VIII) have returned to "Normal" status after recent precipitation and snowmelt improved stream flows and groundwater levels. Long Island remains in Drought Watch, and DEC continues to encourage water conservation statewide.

DEC and Orange County Water Authority announced the acquisition of a 13.5-acre conservation easement in the Brown's Pond watershed to protect the drinking water supply for Newburgh. The protected forested land will filter pollutants and prevent contaminant sources from entering the water supply.

DEC announces record-breaking 2025 bear harvest estimates across New York State, with 1,759 bears harvested statewide, including a new Southern Zone record of 1,202 bears. The report highlights bear population recovery and range expansion, noting that bears now occupy most areas of the state including the Adirondacks and Catskills.

DEC announces start of wetland enhancement construction at Lakeview Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County; temporary restricted access to portions of the area during construction, which is expected to be completed in early 2026.

DEC is closing seasonal access roads and gates in upstate New York regions due to spring mud season and damage from motor vehicle use. High water and muddy trail conditions present hazards for backcountry recreation, and a Recreational Use Advisory remains in effect.

DEC has announced a temporary closure of Gordon Pond and its campsites in the Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area in Sullivan County due to safety repairs to Gordon Dam, which may last through the end of 2026. Fishing and boating will not be possible during construction. The rest of the property remains open.

DEC announces temporary closure of Butterfield Lake Boat Launch in Jefferson County from June 1 through early fall for site reconstruction, including ramp replacement and parking improvements.

New York State DEC announces the annual statewide residential brush burning prohibition begins March 16 and runs through May 14 to prevent wildfires during heightened fire season.

DEC warns of severe spring conditions in Adirondack and Catskill backcountry: key winter routes impassable due to washed-out bridges, thawed water crossings, and flooding; compacted snow is unreliable and leads to postholing; high water presents life-threatening hazards on stream crossings that change rapidly with weather.

New York DEC announces $3.2 million in Smart Growth Grants to 26 Adirondack Park communities for initiatives including affordable housing, recreation improvements, accessibility upgrades, and comprehensive planning efforts.

DEC announces $677,000 in Smart Growth Grant awards to seven Catskill region projects, including trail improvements, accessible infrastructure, affordable housing initiatives, and comprehensive planning efforts that support sustainable recreation and community development.

DEC and Team Rubicon volunteers will remove hazardous trees and improve trail access at Braddock Bay WMA in Monroe County, with closures scheduled for March 21 and March 28, 2026.

DEC announces a prescribed fire at Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area in St. Lawrence County scheduled for February 27, 2026, with possible additional burns in early March to control invasive Phragmites and restore native wetland vegetation. The activity is part of a statewide habitat management program and will be overseen by certified Forest Rangers.

New York State DEC and DOH issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter on February 18, 2026, affecting the Upper Hudson Valley and New York City Metro regions due to light winds and limited atmospheric mixing.

DEC announces expansion of oak wilt quarantine districts in Yates and Ontario counties after detecting infected trees during aerial surveys, while lifting a quarantine in Schenectady County where no new infections have occurred since 2018.

DEC press release summarizing 2025 law enforcement activities, including wildlife incidents, illegal fishing, and hunting violations across multiple New York counties. The document highlights specific enforcement cases and training initiatives but contains no trail-specific hiking conditions or hiking route information.