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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
@dec.ny.gov
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The official account of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. SM use policy: https://dec.ny.gov/about/website-usage-and-policies/social-media.
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dec.ny.gov
DEC is in the Capitol this weekend for the Annual Legislative Conference hosted by the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators.
A group of DEC staff pose behind a staffing table at the New York State Capitol.
February 15, 2026 at 6:06 PM
dec.ny.gov
Read DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton’s full statement on the U.S. EPA’s dismantling of the Federal Government’s obligation to reduce pollution-causing climate change: dec.ny.gov/news/press-r...
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 PM
dec.ny.gov
New Yorkers are no strangers to snow, but did you know that snow can impact air quality? Snow can attach to particulate matter and bring it out of the air.

🌬️ Want to learn more? Check out the latest issue of Air Mail!: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYS...
Large snow piles in a parking lot.
February 12, 2026 at 2:04 PM
dec.ny.gov
Adirondack backcountry report:
❄️ As of Feb. 4, snow depths were 47 in. at the Lake Colden Interior Cabin (~2,750 ft elevation).
⚠️ February is the most common month for avalanches.
🥶 BASE elevation lows this weekend: in the negative-teens. Expect to lose 5°F for every 1,000 ft of elevation gain.
Marcy Dam at dusk in the wintertime.
February 5, 2026 at 9:02 PM
dec.ny.gov
DEC is closely monitoring the weather forecast, which shows the potential for trapping colder air and pollution closer to the surface. Be Air Aware!

📣 Check the latest AQI forecast: appfactory.dec.ny.gov/AQI/
Air Quality Index (AQI) Map for New York State on 1/28/2026.
January 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
dec.ny.gov
Tune in to hear DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton present details of Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget: www.nysenate.gov/calendar/pub...
January 28, 2026 at 3:10 PM
dec.ny.gov
Dangerously cold weather is coming, with statewide feels-like temperatures in the negatives Friday and Saturday night. Some locations in the North Country may experience feels-like temperatures as low as -50 degrees.
Snowy graphic with text reading "Winter Weather Advisory".
January 23, 2026 at 10:11 PM
dec.ny.gov
At 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, Forest Ranger Dormer responded to a call for a car over an embankment in the Town of Thurston. Ranger Dormer and a Thurston Fire Dept. member located the SUV and learned that there was a child in the backseat and an adult driver and passenger in the front.
A silver SUV leaning on a tree and over an icy embankment.
January 21, 2026 at 9:24 PM
dec.ny.gov
To help build affordable housing, improve critical infrastructure, and advance other projects benefitting communities and avoiding environmental impacts, Governor Kathy Hochul's State of the State included sweeping and commonsense reforms to modernize the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
January 14, 2026 at 8:30 PM
dec.ny.gov
Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State lays out a robust environmental agenda that focuses on affordability, clean water, climate resiliency, inclusivity and justice, and safety.

Learn more: www.governor.ny.gov/programs/202...
PROTECTING NEW YORK'S ENVIRONMENT • Committing $3.75 billion over five years for water infrastructure that also helps save ratepayers money. • Supporting open space, environmental justice, climate action and waste reduction with a record $425 million EPF. • Treating landfill PFAS sources and addressing abandoned oil and gas wells to protect NYers and prevent costly cleanups. • Modernizing reviews for critical projects that benefit communities and avoid environmental impacts. GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL 2026 State of the State CREATING RESILIENT AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES • Launching FloodSafe NY to understand and manage flood risks, monitor stream levels, and prevent costly damage. • Enhancing availability and coordination of flood mitigation, climate adaptation, and emergency response resources. • Investing in environmental education and accessibility for children with disabilities to experience the outdoors. • Funding Cooler Schoolyards to keep kids and neighborhoods safer from extreme heat. GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL 2026 State of the State STATE OF THE STATE 2026 MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE PROTECT KIDS ONLINE
January 13, 2026 at 10:12 PM
dec.ny.gov
Tune in at 1:00 pm today for @governor.ny.gov Kathy Hochul's State of the State address live from Albany!
➡️ www.governor.ny.gov/programs/202...
January 13, 2026 at 5:11 PM
dec.ny.gov
Joint Statement from NYSDEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton and @nyserda.bsky.social President and CEO Doreen Harris and on the Trump Administration’s decision to step back from the foundational climate treaty. ⬇️
Image of a statement which reads: Joint Statement from DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris: The Trump administration’s decision to step back from the foundational treaty that underpins international cooperation on climate change is yet another setback but it will not slow New York down. Governor Kathy Hochul has made clear that New York will keep moving forward. While Washington walks away, New York is delivering results: reducing pollution, investing at scale in affordable clean energy and climate resilience, strengthening grid reliability, and creating good-paying jobs in communities across the state. Image of a statement which reads: Joint Statement from DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris: We are building a cleaner, more reliable energy system that protects public health, supports economic growth, and positions the state for long-term competitiveness, regardless of federal retreat. New York will continue to press ahead and work with partners at every level to advance climate action that delivers for New Yorkers today and for future generations.
January 8, 2026 at 5:28 PM
dec.ny.gov
DEC experts are forecasting good to moderate air quality levels across NYS today. With New Year’s celebrations planned across the state, DEC reminds NYers that fireworks may create short-term impacts on air quality and some air quality monitors may temporarily show elevated levels of pollution.
A map of New York State with most regions colored green, indicating good air quality levels, while the NYC Metro portion of the map is yellow, indicating the potential for moderate air quality.
January 1, 2026 at 12:14 AM
dec.ny.gov
At 11:30 a.m. on December 24, the North Hudson Fire Department called Forest Ranger Quinn to assist with an injured hiker on Crane Pond trail. The hiker had activated the SOS feature on a satellite device after falling and injuring their ankle.
A red, tracked UTV driving on a snow-covered trail in the woods.
December 30, 2025 at 9:14 PM
dec.ny.gov
Air Mail! celebrated a momentous milestone in December with the release of its 100th issue! For more than 8 years, Air Mail! has delivered articles on air quality topics monthly to thousands of its subscribers.

Read Air Mail!’s 100th issue here: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/NYS...
Evergreen trees with snow on the branches.
December 22, 2025 at 8:11 PM
dec.ny.gov
DEC finalized a new Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program to track climate pollution sources in NYS. Emissions data from the program will inform future strategies to reduce harmful pollution, protect the environment, benefit public health, and direct clean energy investments where they’re needed most.
December 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
dec.ny.gov
DEC and @nyserda.bsky.social announced proposed regulations to strengthen the multi-State Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to achieve affordable emissions reductions and meet expected energy demand in New York State. 🧵 ⤵️
December 11, 2025 at 2:12 PM
dec.ny.gov
DEC and the NYSDOT are encouraging New Yorkers to reduce the overuse of rock salt when possible, and “Don’t Be Salty, New York”: dec.ny.gov/environmenta...
Person pour salt out of a cup on pavement. The cup says "Don't Be Salty New York."
December 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
dec.ny.gov
Whether you’re celebrating a gift-giving holiday, attending an upcoming birthday celebration, or wanting to give a token of appreciation, there are plenty of environmentally friendly gifts you can give this year.
Blue Bag.
December 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
dec.ny.gov
DEC is closely monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend, which shows the potential for trapping colder air and pollution closer to the surface.

Map below shows AQI forecast for Saturday, December 6th.
New York State map color coded with Air Quality Index levels.
December 5, 2025 at 8:52 PM
dec.ny.gov
No lines here! Skip the malls and #OptOutside at a state land near you. They provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and many other winter activities: dec.ny.gov/places
Hiker wearing red standing on a snowy hill in the Adirondacks.
November 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
dec.ny.gov
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at DEC!
A turkey standing in a snowy field with the text “Happy Thanksgiving”.
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
dec.ny.gov
Can you tell the difference between a male turkey (tom) and a female turkey (hen)? 🦃

📷: James Monteleone

#WildlifeWednesday
A male and female turkey standing side-by-side in a field.
November 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
dec.ny.gov
Last call for submissions for DEC’s Annual Arbor Day Poster Contest! Enter your “Trees for the Future” themed submission by November 30, 2025, for a chance for your work to be featured on New York’s next Arbor Day poster.

📷: 2018 Arbor Day Poster, captured by Aaron Cohen of Roslyn, New York
A lone green leaved tree growing at the edge of a small pond in a snowy, small park.
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
dec.ny.gov
On Nov. 6, ECOs assisted the Lewiston Police Department following a report of an antlered deer that had become trapped after falling into a 10-foot- deep dry well.
An antlered deer stuck in a dry well.
November 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM