Latest news with #AmandaLefton
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New York State invests $120M to modernize fish hatcheries
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A big investment is reeling in major improvements for New York State's fish hatcheries. The Department of Environmental Conservation is announcing a $120 million investment to modernize freshwater fish hatcheries across the state. The announcement took place at the historic Caledonia Fish Hatchery, the oldest in the Western hemisphere, just in time to kick off the annual Caledonia Trout Festival this weekend. The funding marks the start of a three-phase project to upgrade 12 hatcheries statewide, ensuring the continued success of fish stocking and conservation programs. And as it happens, Friday, the New York State Senate confirmed the first openly gay DEC commissioner Amanda Lefton. We heard from her today on the investment. 'So our hatcheries systems in NYS really stock over 1,000 water bodies all across New York,' Lefton said. 'So, we have anglers that go out and catch fish. And they might not even know that we helped raise those fish and these stocking efforts are really so helpful to help with restoration efforts but for the angling communities. And what's so neat about Caledonia is the history, a lot of people grew up going to this hatchery.' These hatcheries support a recreational fishing industry that already contributes $5 billion annually to New York's economy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DEC issues warning on young wildlife
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding New Yorkers to appreciate wildlife from a safe distance and resist the urge to touch or move young wildlife. According to a DEC news release, fawns, baby birds and other offspring may seem abandoned, but their parents are often close by and well-intentioned interference can pose risks to the animals and humans. 'Spring's warmer weather brings with it more sightings and encounters with wildlife, especially young birds and other animals,' said DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton. 'While some might think these baby animals need assistance, human interactions with wildlife typically do more harm than good. Please remember — if you care, leave it there.' Interacting with young wildlife can be problematic for both the animal and people, the release stated. When young wildlife venture into the world, for a brief time they may have limited ability to fly or walk on their own. While one or both parents teach survival skills to their offspring, some young wildlife receive little or no care. DEC reminds the public that young wild animals like fawns and baby birds are rarely abandoned. Parents often place their young somewhere to keep them hidden from predators while they are off collecting food. Bird nestlings can have closed eyes and can be featherless, spending about two weeks in the nest until they begin to outgrow the space. Once they outgrow the nest, nestlings become fledglings, a bird with developed feathers, and begin to flap their wings and learn how to fly. In both stages (nestlings and fledglings) the adult birds are nearby and care for them. If a nestling is found on the ground and cannot be easily and safely returned to the nest, the public is advised to refrain from approaching and instead should call a wildlife rehabilitator. Fledglings, on the other hand, can hop and flutter on their own, and spend short periods out of the nest on the ground or in low branches. If a young bird is alert, fully feathered, and moving around, people are encouraged to watch from a distance and not intervene. Fawns are born during late May and early June, and although they can walk shortly after birth, they spend most of their first several days lying still in tall grass, leaf litter, or sometimes relatively unconcealed. During this period, a fawn is usually left alone by the adult female, except when nursing. Fawns are vulnerable to predators during this period. If human presence is detected by the doe, the doe may delay its next visit to nurse. Fawns should never be picked up. A fawn's protective coloration and ability to remain motionless help it avoid detection by predators and people. By the end of a fawn's second week of life, it begins to move about, spend more time with the doe, and eat on its own. At about 10 weeks of age, fawns are no longer dependent on milk, although they continue to nurse occasionally into the fall. Anyone who encounters a wild animal that is injured or obviously orphaned should call a trained and DEC-licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are the only people legally allowed to receive and treat distressed wildlife, and have the experience, expertise, and facilities to successfully treat and release wild animals, the release stated. DEC reminds the public that young wildlife are not pets. Keeping wildlife in captivity without authorization from DEC is illegal and harmful to the animal. Wild animals are not well-suited to life in captivity and may carry diseases that can be transferred to humans. DEC also advises the public to keep domestic pets indoors when young wild animals are present. Many fledgling birds cannot fly well when they first leave the nest and are easy prey for house cats.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DEC issues guidance on encountering young wildlife
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding New Yorkers to appreciate wildlife from a safe distance and resist the urge to touch or move young wildlife. According to a DEC news release, fawns, baby birds and other offspring may seem abandoned, but their parents are often close by and well-intentioned interference can pose risks to the animals and humans. 'Spring's warmer weather brings with it more sightings and encounters with wildlife, especially young birds and other animals,' said DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton. 'While some might think these baby animals need assistance, human interactions with wildlife typically do more harm than good. Please remember — if you care, leave it there.' Interacting with young wildlife can be problematic for both the animal and people, the release stated. When young wildlife venture into the world, for a brief time they may have limited ability to fly or walk on their own. While one or both parents teach survival skills to their offspring, some young wildlife receive little or no care. DEC reminds the public that young wild animals like fawns and baby birds are rarely abandoned. Parents often place their young somewhere to keep them hidden from predators while they are off collecting food. Bird nestlings can have closed eyes and can be featherless, spending about two weeks in the nest until they begin to outgrow the space. Once they outgrow the nest, nestlings become fledglings, a bird with developed feathers, and begin to flap their wings and learn how to fly. In both stages (nestlings and fledglings) the adult birds are nearby and care for them. If a nestling is found on the ground and cannot be easily and safely returned to the nest, the public is advised to refrain from approaching and instead should call a wildlife rehabilitator. Fledglings, on the other hand, can hop and flutter on their own, and spend short periods out of the nest on the ground or in low branches. If a young bird is alert, fully feathered, and moving around, people are encouraged to watch from a distance and not intervene. Fawns are born during late May and early June, and although they can walk shortly after birth, they spend most of their first several days lying still in tall grass, leaf litter, or sometimes relatively unconcealed. During this period, a fawn is usually left alone by the adult female, except when nursing. Fawns are vulnerable to predators during this period. If human presence is detected by the doe, the doe may delay its next visit to nurse. Fawns should never be picked up. A fawn's protective coloration and ability to remain motionless help it avoid detection by predators and people. By the end of a fawn's second week of life, it begins to move about, spend more time with the doe, and eat on its own. At about 10 weeks of age, fawns are no longer dependent on milk, although they continue to nurse occasionally into the fall. Anyone who encounters a wild animal that is injured or obviously orphaned should call a trained and DEC-licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are the only people legally allowed to receive and treat distressed wildlife, and have the experience, expertise, and facilities to successfully treat and release wild animals, the release stated. DEC reminds the public that young wildlife are not pets. Keeping wildlife in captivity without authorization from DEC is illegal and harmful to the animal. Wild animals are not well-suited to life in captivity and may carry diseases that can be transferred to humans. DEC also advises the public to keep domestic pets indoors when young wild animals are present. Many fledgling birds cannot fly well when they first leave the nest and are easy prey for house cats.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DEC warns of harmful algal blooms, advises public to report them when seen
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) –The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Department of Health are reminding New Yorkers to learn about and be aware of harmful algal blooms (also known as HABs) as the warmer months come up. The DEC's New York Harmful Algal Bloom System is now providing New Yorkers the ability to send reports of HABs to the DEC electronically. The DEC and DOH evaluate HAB reports and once confirmed, reports are posted to the NYHABS page. The page hosts resources such as the online HABs map and reporting system, which features a map of current and archived bloom locations to help keep New Yorkers informed about potential HABs. According to officials with the DEC, cyanobacteria are naturally occurring in the environment, but certain conditions lead to accumulations that become HABs. Blooms are likely triggered by a combination of factors that include excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, lots of sunlight, low-water or low-flow conditions, calm water, and warm temperatures. Those at the DEC say HAB occurrence and reporting typically increase throughout the season with the most reports received during the warmest months of August and September. HABs can pose a risk to public health. 'DEC is committed to continuing its nation leading work to address harmful algal blooms in New York's waterbodies and lessen the negative impacts they can pose to water quality,' DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. 'We work closely with DOH on these efforts and reporting any sightings through the NYHABS notification system is a key component in our goal to minimize the frequency of HABs and allow for a more effective response in these areas.' When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to 'Know it, Avoid it, Report it.' HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water to long, linear green streaks, pea soup or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration. People, livestock, and pets should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface. Those who suspect a HAB should report it through the NYHABs online reporting form available on DEC's website. Symptoms or health concerns related to HABs should be reported to the DOH. 'As we enter the summer months and people find themselves enjoying New York State's waters, we encourage them to avoid and report any Harmful Algal Blooms as they can cause health effects in both people and pets,' State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. 'The Department will continue our work with local water suppliers, beach operators, and the Department of Environmental Conservation to monitor for Harmful Algal Blooms so that we may protect drinking water and recreational use of our freshwaters.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DEC warns turtles are on the move
State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton on Wednesday reminded New Yorkers that turtles are nesting in May and June, and she encouraged motorists to 'Give Turtles a Brake.' According to a DEC news release, turtles are often spotted on or near roads this time of year as they search for sandy areas or loose soils to lay their eggs and thousands of turtles are killed each year by unsuspecting drivers when turtles cross roads to find nesting areas. 'Our state is home to a wide range of turtle species and today DEC is calling on New Yorkers to do their part to help protect these long-lived species and 'Give Turtles a Brake,'' Lefton said. 'Vehicle strikes are a major cause of turtle mortality this time of year, so DEC is asking drivers to be cautious, be on the lookout, and slow down, especially on roads near rivers and marshy areas.' Drivers who see a turtle on the road are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with their vehicle. If the driver can safely stop and exit the vehicle, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing, the release stated. Motorists are advised not to pick up or drag turtles by their tails. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up safely by the sides of their shells. It is important to maintain a secure grip as turtles may kick to loosen your hold and dropping them can result in potential injury. Snapping turtles require special care when handling — they have long necks that can snap back and inflict a strong bite if held by the sides. Instead, turtles should be picked up by the rear of the shell using both hands or carefully slid onto a mat or blanket and dragged safely across the road. DEC also reminded people not to take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a DEC permit. Most of the 11 species of land turtles that are native to New York are in decline, the release stated. It takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Losing even one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator may be able to help if an injured turtle is found. Learn more about New York's native turtles on DEC's website. DEC recognizes May 23 as World Turtle Day. American Tortoise Rescue, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, created World Turtle Day to celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. The animals are rapidly disappearing due to smuggling, the exotic food industry, climate change, loss of habitat and the illegal pet trade, according to the release. Follow @NYSDEC on social media late May through early June for more information about turtles in the state.
