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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today welcomed nine new graduates from the 24th Basic School for New York State Forest Rangers. As part of DEC’s Division of Forest Protection, New York Forest Rangers protect natural resources and public safety and stand ready to support sister states across the country in the face of emergencies like wildfires and flooding. The ceremony held in Albany this afternoon celebrated graduates from across New York State who followed extensive law enforcement and natural resources training in the classroom and in the field.

“I commend this brave new class of New York State Forest Rangers for completing this important part of their journey to carry on the proud tradition of protecting New York's environment and the public,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “From snow-covered peaks to wildfires in New York and beyond, New York State Forest Rangers are some of the most elite first responders in the state, and I am proud of our newest class of Rangers for stepping up to join our ranks and wish them success as they begin their challenging and fulfilling new careers.”

DEC Division of Forest Protection Acting Director Drew Cavanagh said, “Forest Rangers are dedicated to ensuring public safety while patrolling more than five million acres of land across the state. They often go above and beyond the call of duty assisting other states and Canada when fires or natural disaster occur. I am thrilled to add these nine Rangers to our ranks.”

For the last six months, recruits endured strenuous training at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry campus in the hamlet of Wanakena and the Huntington Wildlife Forest in the town of Newcomb. The Division of Forest Protection trained the Ranger recruits in a wide range of rescue techniques, including rope rescues, and led extensive training in wildfire suppression, prescribed burns, water rescues and wildlife protection, among other skills. Nine graduates will join the State's Forest Ranger force for a total of 156 Rangers statewide.

Upon graduation, DEC assigns recruits to patrol areas to join the ranks of Forest Rangers currently serving across the state. In 2023, Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires covering nearly 1,400 acres, participated in dozens of prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests. For more information about New York State Forest Rangers, visit DEC’s website at https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/public-safety/forest-rangers and https://dec.ny.gov/about/employment/explore-career-descriptions/forest-ranger-1

Below is the list of the graduates of the Department of Environmental Conservation's 24th Basic School for Forest Rangers:

Robert Christopher – Camillus, Onondaga County

Jacob Cleinman – Glenville, Schenectady County

Ryan Commerford – Clifton Park, Saratoga County

Zachary Dormer – Naples, Ontario County

Osita Ezumah – Saranac Lake, Franklin County

Sonja Hale – Pompey, Onondaga County

Nathan Jeffery – Lake Placid, Essex County

Nicole Kocher – Narrowsburg, Sullivan County

Cody Welch – Waterville, Oneida County