DEC and State Parks Encourage New Yorkers to 'Get Outside, Get Offline' and Participate in Fish and Wildlife Day Events on Sept. 28

Events Coincide with New York's Annual Free Fishing Day and National Hunting and Fishing Day

Activities Promote State's 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Campaign and Tree Planting Goals

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today encouraged New Yorkers to give back to the State lands and sites they treasure and get outdoors by participating in stewardship events for Fish and Wildlife Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. This summer, Governor Kathy Hochul launched the 'Get Offline, Get Outside' campaign to encourage New Yorkers to put down their phones and screens and spend time in nature and Fish and Wildlife Day provides a perfect opportunity to participate in fish and wildlife conservation service projects and educational workshops across the state, celebrating New York's diverse wildlife and habitats.

"New York's abundant and peerless natural resources draw millions of visitors to the outdoors every year, requiring continued efforts to protect and preserve wildlife habitats," DECInterim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. "The stewardship opportunities during Love Our New York Lands Fish and Wildlife Day bolster our efforts to protect State lands and sites and are perfect for groups or individuals seeking to give back to nature and the special places they love."

"Love Our New York Lands Fish and Wildlife Day is a great opportunity to give back and promote responsible stewardship by strengthening the community's connections to our public lands and watersheds," State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said. "We look forward to welcoming volunteers and inspiring the next generation of visitors to help maintain and preserve our amazing public lands and to better understand the natural habitats that continue to be protected and preserved in New York."

"Effective conservation is about land protection, but it's more about active stewardship," Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said. "On Saturday, September 28, join in one of many opportunities to improve the vital habitats that support the broad array of our treasured fish and wildlife-- from Muskies to Mallards!"

Registration is currently open for the first Fish and Wildlife Day. New Yorkers are encouraged to visit Parks & Trails website to sign up for events and show appreciation for the natural world. Participants can plant native plant species and remove invasives to foster healthy wildlife habitat at a nearby State Park, learn how to build and repair bird houses that will benefit species at a DEC Wildlife Management Area, or pair stewardship efforts with a birding or nature walk that highlights the importance of wildlife conservation.

Fish and Wildlife Day is part of the Love Our New York Lands Stewardship campaign, a series of themed public stewardship events that encourage year-round collaboration and highlight the state's outdoor recreation assets and the need to safeguard those resources. The series began in April with Canal Clean Sweep, followed by "I Love My Park" Day in May, and the first Adirondack and Catskill Park Day on Sept. 7. The days are offered and organized in partnership with Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), DEC, State Parks, and the New York State Canal Corporation.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was designated by Congress in 1972 to encourage people to experience, understand, and appreciate traditional outdoor sports and recreation and our abundant natural resources. This day also recognizes hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation.

To encourage year-round stewardship, the goal of Love Our New York Lands is to help protect the state's natural resources by providing visitors with the knowledge necessary to reduce their impact, engage users to practice sustainable and safe recreation, and help all visitors feel welcome while visiting State lands. The efforts to enhance New York's public lands align with Governor Hochul's plan to plant 25 million trees across New York State by 2033, announced during her 2024 State of the State.

HuntFishNY Events- Workshops to Develop Your Hunting and Fishing Skills
For New Yorkers interested in trying out a shooting sport or beginning and advanced fishing programs DEC offers in-person, instructor-led courses which provide hands-on experience in shooting, hunting, trapping and fishing. For hunting-related courses, certified DEC instructors teach these four-hour courses. While hunter education certification is not offered with these courses, they are a great way for new hunters or those interested in becoming a hunter to develop their skills. Check out the HuntFishNY Events page for currently scheduled programs.

DEC also designates several dates throughout the year as free fishing days, which allows anyone to recreationally fish without a freshwater fishing license in New York State! To complement National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, is designated as a free fishing day. This offers the perfect opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, for getting back into the sport after taking a break, or for taking a friend or the whole family along to fish. Even though a license is not needed, all fishing regulations apply.

About Parks & Trails New York
Parks & Trails New York is New York's leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space for all. With thousands of members and supporters across the state, PTNY is a leading voice in the protection of New York's magnificent state park system and the creation and promotion of more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks and trails. More information can be found on the Parks & Trails website.

About the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit the NYS Parks website, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app,  or call (518) 474-0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on  Facebook,  Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and the OPRHP Blog.

About the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Threads, and Instagram.

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