New York State Encourages Residents to Give Back to Their Public Lands on Wildlife Day

Strategic Insights -

On Saturday, October 4, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation encouraged residents to participate in events for Wildlife Day, celebrating New York's diverse wildlife and habitats. This year's Wildlife Day is part of the Love Our New York Lands stewardship campaign, a series of themed public stewardship events that encourage year-round volunteerism and highlight the state's outdoor recreation assets.

Key Takeaways:

  • Wildlife Day is a perfect opportunity to participate in wildlife conservation service projects and educational workshops across the state, celebrating New York's diverse wildlife and habitats.
  • New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, "Wildlife Day is a great opportunity to strengthen our community's connection to our New York public lands and the wildlife that makes our parks so special."
  • Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "New York is home to a diverse range of habitats and wildlife that deserve our respect and continued stewardship."
  • Participants can engage in various activities such as planting native plant species, removing invasives, building bird and bat houses, cleaning up trash and debris, and taking part in birding or nature walks that highlight the importance of wildlife conservation.
  • The Love Our New York Lands stewardship campaign encourages year-round volunteerism and highlights the state's outdoor recreation assets and the need to safeguard these resources.
  • Wildlife Day complements Governor Hochul's "Get Offline, Get Outside" campaign to encourage New Yorkers to spend more time outdoors and promote healthy living among young people and families.

Statistics:

  • The Love Our New York Lands stewardship campaign has already held three events, including Canal Clean Sweep, I Love My Park Day, and Adirondack and Catskill Park Day.
  • Wildlife Day is part of a larger effort to protect New York State's natural resources and provide visitors with the knowledge necessary to reduce their impact on the environment.
  • According to Governor Hochul, the "Get Offline, Get Outside" campaign aims to encourage New Yorkers to spend 30 minutes less on their phones and computers and engage in outdoor activities.
  • The campaign builds on the Governor's efforts to promote healthy living among young people and families, including signing first-in-the-nation legislation to protect kids from addictive social media feeds and shield their personal data from online platforms.

Sources:

  • New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation news release
  • The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website
  • Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White
  • Governor Hochul's "Get Offline, Get Outside" campaign website