The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released the latest episode 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 29—“New York Camping Is In-Tents”—showcases how DEC manages its 55 campgrounds and 6,000 individual campsites. 

DEC’s first campgrounds—Sacandaga and Sharp Bridge—were established in 1920, and the newest campground, Frontier Town, opened in 2019. In this episode, hosts Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald are joined by Campground Program Supervisor Jessica McBride and Conservation Operations Supervisor Andrea Dukett who explain how DEC’s Bureau of Recreation oversees the operations of 55 campgrounds and day use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve visited by an estimated 1.5 million people each year. 

Jessica and Andrea highlight DEC’s First Time Camper and Junior Naturalist programs, the history of many DEC campgrounds and day-use areas, and how New Yorkers can reserve their DEC campsite for 2026. They also share their craziest campground stories, including a camp-wide dance party and an alleged Catskill kangaroo sighting. 

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