New York Mixed Bag: DEC seeking staff for summer youth camps – Outdoor News

Albany —The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking staff for the Summer Camps Program at four locations across New York.

The positions including directors, counselors, cooks, and aides for four residential Environmental Education Camps that operate from early-June to mid-August and includes room and board. These camps combine environmental education, hunter education, and outdoor recreation to create an adventurous experience for campers 11-13 years old or 14-17 years old.

The four summer camps are Camps Colby and Pack Forest in the Adirondack, Camp DeBruce in the Catskills, and, Camp Rushford in Western New York.

To learn more about minimum qualifications, job duties, and certification requirements, visit here. To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript to [email protected].

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Harwood Lake Dam Work Will Affect Lake Levels and Fish Stocking

Farmersville, N.Y. — DEC has announced access limitations at Harwood Lake and the Multiple Use Area, located off State Route 98 in Farmersville, Cattaraugus County, to allow dam rehabilitation work to take place from March 31 through September. The extensive project will involve installation of wave wash protection, reconstruction of the dam embankment, installation of a new spillway, clearing and armoring of the auxiliary overflow spillway, and wetland restoration. Construction will also affect areas below the dam.

While the lake, the main parking lot and car-top boat launch areas off Lake Avenue, and the southernmost parking area off Rt. 98 will remain accessible to the public, access to the dam berm, the parking area closest to the dam, and all areas below the dam embankment will be restricted to construction personnel until the project is completed.

The project also requires a lowering of the lake elevation approximately 3.5 feet, which will limit fishing and other water-based recreation access. Due to the extended drawdown, DEC will not stock Harwood Lake with trout this spring. However, DEC will stock increased numbers of trout in 2025 in both nearby Allen and Case lakes to accommodate the loss. DEC expects to resume spring trout stocking in Harwood Lake in 2026.

Western Lassiter Conservation Easement In St. Lawrence County Final RMP Released

Edwards, N.Y. — DEC has released a final Recreation Management Plan for the Western Lassiter Conservation Easement Tracts in the town of Edwards, St. Lawrence County. The RMP guides public recreation management on the 1,336-acre Beers Lot conservation easement and the 834-acre Pine Hill conservation easement, collectively known as the Western Lassiter Conservation Easement Tracts.

Currently, the Western Lassiter Conservation Easement is open for the non-motorized opportunities, including camping, hunting, trapping, fishing, and nature observation. Motorized access will be implemented in the future and include opening the Main Haul Road to public motor vehicle use, designating an ATV route for those with a Mobility Access Permit for People with Disabilities and construction of a parking area.

The final Western Lassiter Conservation Easement RMP is available on the DEC website. Questions regarding public use can be directed to the DEC Potsdam Sub-Office at 315-265-3090.

Long Island Fishing Festival Celebrates Spring Trout Stocking

West Babylon, N.Y. — DEC and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) announced the annual Spring Family Fishing Festival taking place on Saturday, April 5, at Belmont Lake State Park.The festival highlights DEC’s spring trout stocking program in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Prior to the festival, Belmont Lake will be stocked with nearly 1,000 brown and rainbow trout. Additional brown and rainbow trout will be stocked by State Parks from Connetquot Hatchery. DEC will also stock Upper Twin Pond in Wantagh, Oyster Bay Mill Pond, and Massapequa Reservoir, along with 14 other Long Island lakes with trout, providing excellent prospects for spring fishing. In total, DEC’s spring stocking program will place 20,000 brown trout and rainbow trout in ponds in the two counties.

Aside from parking fees, the event is free and no fishing license is required during its duration. For more information, call I FISH NY at 631-444-0283 or Belmont Lake State Park at 631-321-3510.

Boone & Crockett to Host Awards Gala

Missoula, Mont. — The Boone and Crockett Club recently announced its 32nd Big Game Awards, a triennial event celebrating the pinnacle of fair chase hunting and the conservation of North America’s big game species, which will take place July 24-26 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. The awards will recognize the most impressive heads, horns, and antlers accepted into the Boone and Crockett Club’s record book over the past three years. Registration for the awards celebration is now open.

The Boone and Crockett Club has been measuring the antlers, horns, and skulls of North American big game since 1895 with the original vision of creating a record of what was thought to be the vanishing wildlife in the country. The organization’s Records of North American Big Game was first published in 1932 and is now in its 15th edition.

The top-scoring animals in all 38 categories entered into the B&C records program between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2024, have been invited to a judges panel in April where teams of B&C’s official measurers will verify their score.

Source: https://www.outdoornews.com/2025/03/31/new-york-mixed-bag-dec-seeking-staff-for-summer-youth-camps/