To register for the webinars, view the VUM Recommendations Report, and details about the public comment period, visit DEC’s website: dec.ny.gov/nature/fores...

DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests staff will present a summary of the final VUM Recommendations Report. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide verbal feedback to help inform DEC’s implementation of the report.

DEC is accepting feedback on the Report until June 1, 2026 via email and mail.

The virtual public meetings are scheduled for:
✅ High Peaks Project Area in the Adirondacks – April 22, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
✅ Kaaterskill Clove Project Area in the Catskills – April 29, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

DEC staff will present a summary of the VUM Recommendations Report for the Adirondack High Peaks and Kaaterskill Clove in the Catskills. The VUM projects have focused on developing data-driven management strategies to support and promote visitor safety and positive visitor experiences in each area.

Group of 50 people crowded near a viewing platform that overlooks a waterfall gorge in the forested mountains.

Virtual public meetings for the recently released final Visitor Use Management (VUM) Recommendations Report are coming up in late April!

For other recent Forest Ranger stories, head to on.ny.gov/3PYrvwI.

Several people wearing protective gear while in a field with smoke and small flames during the Milan prescribed burn.

Bright orange flames burning in a field during the Milan prescribed burn.

That same day, 10 Rangers joined DEC staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests and Operations, NY State Parks & Historic Sites, the Milan Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., and Albany Pine Bush staff to conduct a controlled burn of 57 acres at Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area in Milan.

On March 30, Forest Rangers joined DEC Division of Lands and Forests staff to conduct a controlled burn of 30 acres in Smithville to maintain grassland habitat, promote regrowth of cool-season grasses, and encourage expansion of any warm-season grasses and wildflowers to reduce invasive species.

For details on these and other recent Forest Ranger stories, head to this week's DEC Forest Rangers Week in Review: on.ny.gov/4tpi2Ng

One person standing near flames on the ground during a prescribed burn. In the background, there are two people standing near a white pick-up truck.

And speaking of fire, on March 25, six Forest Rangers joined staff from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Albany Pine Bush to conduct a controlled burn of 18 acres at the Albany Pine Bush.

The training included Ranger and fire department responsibilities, wildfire behavior, Incident Command System, suppression techniques, and fire line safety.

Several people using shovels and rakes to create a fire line in the forest during the day.

On March 19, 23, and 28, Forest Rangers led a Basic Wildland Fire Suppression course to 15 volunteers from the Centerville, Friendship, Houghton, and Short Tract Fire Departments at English Hill State Forest, with the assistance from a DEC Fire Warden.

To view our spring trout stocking lists, visit dec.ny.gov/things-to-do....

What are you waiting for? Find a trout water near you and start getting excited for all the amazing spring fishing opportunities in New York State!

From now until early June, DEC trout stocking is in full swing thanks to our hardworking hatchery staff, with more than 1.7 million catchable size brook, brown, and rainbow trout being stocked in waters across the state.

No trout about it, we’re not fooling! We’ve been busy stocking your favorite streams in preparation for the spring trout fishing season which opens TODAY, April 1st!

Want to learn more about how you can help protect our environment? Check out the latest issue of Air Mail!: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYS...

NYS set the goal to plant 25 million trees by 2033. With Earth Day and Arbor Day fast approaching, consider joining the State’s efforts by learning about how trees are beneficial for our environment and begin planning to plant a tree this year.

Sun shining through leaves.

Spring is finally here! As the grass becomes greener and the trees begin to regrow their leaves, now is the perfect time to consider how you can help the environment blossom.

Head to this week's DEC Forest Rangers Week in Review for other recent Ranger stories: on.ny.gov/4dKVuBZ.

At 8 p.m., Rangers Commerford and Fox met the group and provided dry clothing, headlamps, food, and water. They reached Big Hollow Trailhead at 10:30 p.m. and declined further care from Windham Ambulance.

At 6:45 p.m., members of Hensonville Hose Co. located the group and their dog and assisted them down the Escarpment Trail.

People using a flashlight while walking with a dog on an icy hiking trail at night.

On March 20 at 5:40 p.m., Forest Ranger Fox responded to a call for four hikers lost on Blackhead Mtn. One member of the group reported feeling woozy and all four hikers were cold and wet and required rescue.

Two people standing on ice while another two people are submerged up to their chests in the water during flat ice rescue training.

For details on these, and for other recent Forest Ranger stories, head to on.ny.gov/47E8IMZ.

A group of 7 Forest Rangers. One Ranger is standing in the middle of several parked snowmobiles while one Ranger is kneeling down and the other Rangers are sitting on the snowmobiles.

On March 9, Forest Rangers Bowler and R. Praczkajlo led backcountry snowmobile training for 12 Rangers. They focused on riding in different depths and types of snow and extracting stuck or crashed snowmobiles.

Two people using skis to navigate a snow-covered hiking trail in winter.

On March 8 at 3:40 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a skier with an unstable lower leg injury on the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Trail at the Phelps junction. Forest Rangers reached the skier, splinted their leg, and assisted them back to South Meadows Road. Resources were clear at 6 p.m.

Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.

To report a wildfire, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264).

Regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20k residents most of the year but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur.

Backyard fire pits and campfires less than 3 ft in height and 4 ft in length, width or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires.

Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.

The annual statewide burn ban is in effect starting TODAY, March 16th, through May 14th.

Even though some areas of the state are damp or remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise.

R4 Director holding unloading boxes of food at the Sycamore Collaborative Food Drive.

The Sycamore Collaborative food pantry is a non-profit that operates the largest food pantry in Schenectady County and was a recent recipient of the more than $5 million in Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment grants.