The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today launched season three of “DEC Does What?!”, the bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Episode 21—“Meet the Commish”— features an introduction to DEC’s new Acting Commissioner, Amanda Lefton.

Hosts Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald speak with Acting Commissioner Lefton about the opportunities and challenges leading New York’s expansive environmental agency, the foundational role of the State’s natural environment to the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, and the importance of standing up and leading on environmental protections.

Amanda, Sean, and Erica also discuss their annual outdoor traditions to “Get Offline and Get Outside,” and the forward momentum for transformational projects supported by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.

Episode 21 also spotlights the latest environmental news and DEC initiatives, including the launch of DEC’s 25 Million Trees toolkit ahead of Arbor Day tree planting events, a major milestone for critical sewer infrastructure upgrades in the city of Mount Vernon, and how New Yorkers can be BearWise this spring to prevent human-bear conflicts.

All episodes of “DEC Does What?!” are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms.

For more information on "DEC Does What?!," visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast.