New York State Conservationist Magazine

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New York State Conservationist Magazine The NYS Conservationist - the official magazine of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Sign up today!

Conservationist magazine is a New York State-focused publication that will take your breath away. Each issue is packed with informative and entertaining articles, first-rate photography and stunning artwork. Articles cover a broad range of environmental and natural history related topics, including fishing, hiking, recreation, travel, hunting, nature studies, and tips for green living. Published six times a year by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Conservationist is truly New York State's own. Conservationist is a favorite of grandparents, students, teachers, and anyone who takes an interest in New York's great outdoors. A full year's subscription (six big issues), plus a bonus issue is only $12. To subscribe, go to www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/24071.html

Visit our website at www.TheConservationist.org. Email your questions, letters and photos to [email protected].

10/08/2026

Fall is a perfect time to dust off those hiking boots! 🥾

The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages you to visit eight fire towers in the Catskills between January 1-December 31, 2026. Hikers who visit each of the eight towers will receive a commemorative patch and be entered to win hiking related prizes. If you’re headed to the Catskills this fall, pack the 10 hiking essentials, check the weather, and share an itinerary of your trip with friends or family.

A few other tips:
⛰️ Wear blaze orange: Hunting seasons are in effect across the Catskills. You can help protect yourself and share the woods by wearing blaze orange or pink while hiking—and that includes pets!
⛰️ Pack an extra light source: Cell phones are not a reliable light source due to their short battery life. As daylight continues to shrink, make sure you pack a headlamp or flashlight, spare batteries, and a backup headlamp or flashlight for good measure.
⛰️ Pack layers: Weather varies greatly in the fall—you can keep yourself comfortable and dry by wearing non-cotton, blended clothing materials, packing extra layers (wool and synthetic), and bringing those gloves and winter hat.

For more information, visit the links in the comments! 👇

📷: Nicole Pineda

Although the story goes that Benjamin Franklin wanted the Wild Turkey to be the national bird instead of the Bald Eagle,...
10/07/2026

Although the story goes that Benjamin Franklin wanted the Wild Turkey to be the national bird instead of the Bald Eagle, he never officially argued for it. The story comes from a private letter written to his daughter, in which he defended the honor of the Wild Turkey against the Bald Eagle.

📷 Lori Grace

10/05/2026

It’s almost time for “A Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor”!

Each autumn, over 5,000 students and teachers study the Hudson at 90 waterfront sites from New York Harbor to the Adirondacks. This Tuesday around 2:00 PM, join us for a Live broadcast with DEC Estuary Educator Chris Bowser and some special guests from Fox Meadow Elementary School and Westchester County Parks. They will be seine-netting for fish along the shoreline at Croton Point and checking out some of the water chemistry within Hudson.

In New York State, white-tailed deer bucks have lost the velvet from their antlers and are preparing for the rut. Runnin...
09/30/2026

In New York State, white-tailed deer bucks have lost the velvet from their antlers and are preparing for the rut. Running from October through January, peak breeding and activity here occurs around mid-November.

📷 Michael Gervais

Common in wetlands throughout North America, Black-crowned Night Herons are most active at night, so evening and dusk ar...
09/23/2026

Common in wetlands throughout North America, Black-crowned Night Herons are most active at night, so evening and dusk are good times to watch for them. During the day, they spend much of their time hunched among leaves and branches. A stout heron with a short neck, they are the most widespread heron in the world.

📷 Juvenile by Aaron Winters

09/18/2026

We are unbe-leaf-ably happy that Week 1️⃣ of the I LOVE NEW YORK Fall Foliage Report is out! You can read the report at the link in the comments! 🍁🍂

New York State’s 2026 fall foliage season is underway, with the first signs of the spectacular seasonal colors appearing in regions throughout Upstate New York, and the most significant changes expected in the Adirondacks.

We recently received this photo of a butterfly that has been observed in the Champlain area. After doing some research, ...
09/16/2026

We recently received this photo of a butterfly that has been observed in the Champlain area. After doing some research, we determined it to be a European peacock butterfly, which is native to the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Originally a rare stray to North America, they were possibly introduced at one time. A small population has persisted in the Montreal area since 1997, and they are also occasionally seen across New England in low numbers.

📷 Mike LaFontaine

09/15/2026

It’s that time again, the 2027 Arbor Day Poster Contest is now open! The theme for this year is “Trees for Vibrant Communities”. Submit your photo or artwork by November 10, 2026, for a chance to have your work featured on the next Arbor Day poster!

📷: 2026 Arbor Day photo by Garrett Fischer



Check out the comments for details 👇

09/11/2026

Today, DEC honors fallen members of DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement who passed away from illnesses related to their assignments at the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Lieutenant Paul C. Adam, ECO Ronald J. Bosela, ECO Lawrence E. Cabana, Investigator Thomas J. Graham, Lieutenant David J. McShane, and ECO Stephen L. Raymond were among nearly 400 heroes from across DEC’s divisions who ran towards danger, chaos, and uncertainty to protect New Yorkers while our nation processed the unthinkable devastation and loss of life on that day 25 years ago.

DEC offers its deepest condolences to the families of the thousands of people who lost their lives during the attacks and the loved ones of the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. We will never forget their courage, strength, and bravery.

09/10/2026

It's not too late! The Women's Fishing Expo is happening this weekend and there are still spots open for you to join!

Whether you are a beginner looking to cast your very first line or an experienced angler ready to sharpen your skills, this event is about fun, community, and hands-on learning in a supportive environment. Participants age 14 and up, please.

What to expect:
🎣 Hands on instruction from experienced anglers
🎣 Fly fishing, spin casting, and knot-tying workshops
🎣 Gear guides and conservation tips
🎣 An awesome day outdoors at beautiful Connetquot River State Park Preserve!

📅 Saturday, September 12
🕙 10 AM -2 PM
📍 Connetquot River State Park, 4090 Sunrise Highway, Oakdale, NY 11769

📥 Register by calling (631) 444-0280 or email [email protected] with the subject title ‘Women’s Fishing Expo’.

Note: There is an $8 parking fee for those individuals without an Empire Passport.

Address

625 Broadway
Albany, NY
12233

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15184028047

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