dec.ny.govNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation

New York’s great outdoors. Maybe you’ll get hooked on fishing or discover sleeping under the stars is the perfect way to spend a weekend. We have information for beginners up to the more advanced outdoor enthusiast. View All Outdoor Activities Camping Hiking Hunting Trapping Freshwater Fishing Saltwater Fishing Shellfishing Boating Paddling Watchable Wildlife Summer Camps Love Our New York Lands Adventure NY Places to Go Places to Go Looking for your next adventure? New York has more than 5 million acres, 7,000 lakes and streams, and 52,000 miles of rivers and streams for you to explore. Use our Places to Go search tool to find locations nearby for your favorite outdoor activity. Find Your Spot Find Places to Go Accessible Recreation Maps Wildlife Management Areas Tidal Wetland Areas Agencies That Manage Public Land Discounts For Outdoor Recreation Nature Nature New York is home to many animals and plant species – both native and invasive. Learn how we protect open space and reclaim land after mining is complete. Discover the water around you in lakes and rivers, wetlands, oceans, and underground. Learn About Nature Animals, Fish & Plants Invasive Species Forests & Trees Wildlife Health Nuisance Wildlife Report Dead Wildlife Waterbodies Open Space Environmental Protection Environmental Protection DEC protects the land, water, and air resources in New York. Whether it is addressing climate change effects, promoting responsible waste management, monitoring air quality, overseeing contaminated site clean-ups, or oil and gas mining monitoring, DEC is there to safeguard the environment; you can too by reporting environmental violations and problems. Ways to Protect Report a Problem Public Safety Wildfires Air Water Bulk Storage Recycling and Composting Waste Management Mining & Reclamation Site Cleanup Oil and Gas Pesticides Mercury Radiation Acid Rain Climate Change Facilities In Your Neighborhood Offshore Wind Development Help For Businesses Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Regulatory Regulatory DEC uses policies and regulations to limit environmental impacts. We issue permits and licenses to individuals, municipalities, and corporations so they can comply with these regulations. Regulations and Enforcement Regulations Regulatory Agenda Guidance And Policy Documents Enforcement Hearings Permits, Licenses, and Registrations Find a Permit or License Permit Documentation For Notable Projects Natural Resource Damages (NRD) News News The Environmental Notice Bulletin lets you know about projects or regulations being proposed each week. Sign up for one of DEC’s many electronic newsletter topics or subscribe to the Conservationist, New York State’s award-winning nature magazine. Stay Informed Press Releases Environmental Notice Bulletin Conservationist Magazine DEC Delivers: Email Newsletters Storms & Alerts Podcast Get Involved Get Involved DEC sponsors events across New York including informational webinars, public meetings, and in-person environmental education sessions. Environmental justice programs address needs in disadvantaged communities and many grants are available for community groups and municipalities. See How You Can Get Involved Education Events Find a Form Environmental Justice Grant Applications Living the Green Life Public Participation HuntFishNY Mobile App Environmental Excellence Awards About About Passionate about the environment? Check our employment pages and come work for DEC. If you have a question, we are here to help so contact us using one of the roster or office pages on our site. Learn About DEC Contact Us Commissioner And Executive Team Boards And Commissions Employment Diversity And Inclusion Website Usage And Policies Accessibility For Persons With Disabilities UST Operator Exam State Agency Environmental Audit & MS4 Reports Doing Business With DEC Sustainability at DEC Search Site Submit Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Throughout the month of May, DEC celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year’s theme is Advancing Leaders Through Innovation . Learn More Top Home Print Share Email Facebook Twitter Translate Popular Activities Hunting Freshwater Fishing Camping Hiking Quick Links Column1 Buy a Hunting or Fishing License Take a Hunter Education Course Plan a Camping Trip Temporary Shellfishing Closures Column2 Report An Environmental Violation Or Problem Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast for NYS Submit a FOIL Request DECinfo Locator Column1 Trending Topics Content Cards Spring Trout Season April 1 marks the opening of the harvest season and end of catch-and-release-only season for trout in New York. DEC trout stocking began in March and will run through early June. Open Burning Prohibited Open burning is the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York. The burning of brush is prohibited from March 16 through May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires. Recreational Striped Bass Season Recreational striped bass fishing season is open in the Hudson River (April 1) and opens in marine waters April 15. Participate in the Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Program this year! Column2 What’s New DEC Advises Boaters of Construction-Related Delays Affecting Access to Saranac Chain of Lakes May 13, 2024 Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol May 10, 2024 DEC Announces Temporary Closure of Public Fishing Access Site at Alma Pond Starting May 13 May 10, 2024 View All News Column1 Upcoming Events ReLeaf Workshop: Tree Planting May. 14, 2024 09:00 am EDT Thornden Park Thornden Park Drive Syracuse, NY 13210 May 14 Nature’s Nursery May. 15, 2024 08:15 am EDT Rogers Environmental Education Center 2721 State Highway 80, PO Box 932 Sherburne, New York 13460 May 15 Storytime & Hike May. 15, 2024 10:30 am EDT Rogers EEC 2721 State Hwy 80 PO Box 932 Sherburne, NY 13460 May 15 View All Events Column2 Summer Jobs at DEC Campgrounds DEC operates 51 public campgrounds and 4 day use areas throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Over 500 seasonal employees are employed to provide varied services throughout the summer season. Looking for a summer job? Apply here! DEC offers exciting opportunities for those looking to make a difference in environmental protection and natural resource management. Find a Career at DEC Subscribe to "DEC Delivers" Newsletters about your favorite environmental topic Subscribe to as many topics as you wish. We offer many topics to choose from that cover nearly every aspect of our work. Gov Delivery Form You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Email address This field is required. Topic Id - None - Adirondacks Air Quality (Air Mail! e-newsletter) Air Quality Alerts Amphibian Migrations and Road Crossings Birding Bond Act Updates Catskills Chautauqua Lake News and Updates Climate Change Contract Opportunities and M/WBE Support Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) Employment and Internships Encuentre Su Aventura (Find Your Adventure - Spanish Edition) Environmental Justice Environmental Notice Bulletin Five Rivers EEC Forests, Plants, and Land Conservation Freshwater Fishing and Boating (The Fishing Line) Global - Blank Id Grant Opportunities Great Lakes Funding, News & Events Green Living Hudson River Almanac Hudson River Estuary Hudson River Estuary Conservation and Land Use Invasive Species Outdoor Discovery e-Newsletter Pesticides Reinstein Woods EEC Saltwater Fishing and Boating Shellfishing Wastewater Operators Wildlife, Fish, and Marine Life Camping, Wildlife Viewing, and Hiking (Find Your Adventure) Hunting and Trapping Solid Waste and Recycling Making Waves Leave this field blank Department of Environmental Conservation Quick Links About DEC Hunting & Fishing Licenses DECinfo Locator Events Calendar Press Releases Employment Apply for a Grant Help Center Contact Us Accessibility Assistance Language Assistance PDF Help Help for Businesses Doing Business with DEC Resources Website and Usage Policies...