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News and Announcements

Japanese knotweed plants in flower - by L Heady

Organizations across New York State are offering a variety of engaging events to promote knowledge and understanding of invasive species.

Residents sit and listen to a presentation with NRI maps hanging on the wall in the background

The DEC announced more than $2.7 million in grants and new funding opportunities to help communities in the Hudson River estuary watershed improve water quality, restore…

Large group of summit attendees in downtown Montreal

The Pathways guide synthesizes insights from the 2024 Landscape Connectivity Summit in Montreal, and is a resource to inform and inspire ecological connectivity conservation and…

northern cricket frog sitting on leaf on mossy forest floor

DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the adoption of regulations updating the list of endangered, threatened, and special concern species of fish, a recently discovered species of frog (Atlantic…

View of expansive forest in the Hudson Highlands

There are many unknowns concerning forest migration, the process of tree species moving as they seek climatic zones similar to what they’ve known for millennia. Some researchers the Times Union spoke with said…

map of City of Rensselaer with dot stickers

The City of Rensselaer is embarking on a new initiative to protect its vital waterways with assistance from the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University. The city was award a technical assistance…

Jefferson blue-spotted salamander walking across the yellow line on a dark road

DEC announced that warmer temperatures and rain have spurred the start of annual migrations of vernal pool breeding amphibians like frogs and salamanders. Throughout the Hudson Valley, Amphibian Migrations and…

Meadow with a forest behind it and blue sky. Photo: Town of Bethlehem website

In a bold step toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience, the town of Bethlehem is establishing itself as a leader in open space conservation. Over the past seven years, the town has protected 693…

Sign in front of Marbletown and Rosendale town hall.

Open Space Institute has closed on the purchase of 91.6 acres of former farmland and forested property, 15 of which are set aside for the development of affordable housing. The property is planned for…

Three people gathered around map on easel, pointing out and discussing features on the map. By L Heady

Cornell University and the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program are offering a free technical assistance opportunity for a community interested in using conservation overlay zoning to conserve priority lands and…

An array of tree tubes protecting saplings in a restoration area, backlit by the setting sun.

DEC announced $15 million is available through the new Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Program to expand, restore, and create urban forested natural areas. The funding helps fulfill the 2024 State of the…

A forester in an orange vest inspects a large tree.

DEC announced proposed changes to the regulations for Real Property Tax Law Section 480a to lessen the administrative burdens on participating forest landowners while improving sustainability practices.