Town of Lake Luzerne
Warren County
Public Outreach: On April 25, Forest Ranger Lieutenant LaPierre and Ranger Temple spoke at the 2023 Wilderness Medicine Conference at the Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne. Rangers provided doctors and other medical professionals real-world perspective on the complex nature of medicine in a wilderness environment.

Lt. Lapierre and Ranger Temple at Wilderness Medical Conference (photo attached)

City of Albany and Town of Big Flats
Albany and Chemung Counties
Prescribed Fires: On April 27, Forest Rangers and other DEC personnel assisted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in completing a 9.5-acre prescribed burn at the USDA Plant Materials Center in Big Flats. The Plant Materials Center develops plant-based conservation technologies specifically for the northeastern U.S.

On April 28, Forest Rangers and Albany Pine Bush Preserve staff conducted a 17-acre prescribed burn near the intersection of New Karner and Old State roads. Prescribed fires help prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. More information and video about prescribed fires is available here: https://fb.watch/k6ilqgLw-R/

Town of Avon
Livingston County
Public Outreach: On April 27, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Wickens and Ranger Miller participated in DEC’s Take Your Child to Work Day at DEC’s Region 8 office in Avon. Forest Rangers and other DEC staff conducted demonstrations and answered questions throughout the day. There were K-9 and two-way radio demonstrations for participants, as well as a tree planting. The event allows children to learn about potential, future careers at DEC.

Town of Livonia
Livingston County
Public Outreach: On April 27, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Wickens and Ranger Raffaldi helped Brownie Troop 51084 earn hiking badges at Chip Holt Nature Center in Vitale Park. In addition to hiking safety, Rangers explained how to appropriately build, contain, and extinguish a campfire. The Rangers also showed the brownies how to make the best campfire s’mores.

Lt. Wickens makes s’mores with Brownie Troop 51084 (photo attached)

Ranger Raffaldi and Lt. Wickens with Brownie Troop 51084 (photo attached)

 

Check Presentation: On April 27, Division of Forest Protection Director Solan, Ranger Hess, and retired Ranger Goetke attended a check presentation for the Larry Gordon Outdoor Education Center at the Town of Wilton’s Camp Saratoga. The Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family donation of $100,000 will help turn Camp Saratoga into a destination outdoor education campus honoring community leader Larry Gordon. Gordon was one of three Commissioners appointed to represent New York State on the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Commission. He was also a search and rescue volunteer and served as President and Team Commander of Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue. Gordon spent more than 35 years as a DEC Forest Fire Warden and was instrumental in helping transition ownership of the former Camp Saratoga Scout Camp to the town of Wilton and DEC. The camp’s buildings and infrastructure will be converted to the Larry Gordon Education Center. The surrounding land is managed as part of the DEC Saratoga Sandplains Wildlife Management Area.

 

 

Training: On April 27 and 28, Forest Ranger Captain Burns led a two-day Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) training event. Nine Ranger pilots received training in DEC policies, as well as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations. The Rangers were issued new equipment and conducted flights to qualify as night flight operators. Rangers use UAS during search and rescue events, wildland fires, and other emergencies.

 

 

Public Outreach: On April 29, Forest Ranger Lieutenant Wickens and Ranger Miller participated in the Boy Scouts of America Camporee Fire Badge Day at First Responder Park in Gates. The multi-day event provides attendees with an opportunity to earn a fire badge by learning from Rangers, Barnard Fire, Chili Fire, Gates Fire, and Spencerport Fire Departments. Rangers hosted a station that focused on wildland fires, how wildland fire suppression is different from structure firefighting, seasonal wildfire risk, and the tools used during wildland fires and prescribed burns.

 

 

Training: On April 29, Forest Rangers Geyer and Snye conducted a Basic Wildland Search course for the Search and Rescue 5-1 Team based out of Johnstown. Rangers instructed nine new volunteers on topics including basic search organization, communications, search techniques, and safety. Volunteers also participated in a field exercise in Silver Lakes Wilderness where they conducted a grid search for a “missing” hunter. All participants will receive DEC certification.

 

Unprepared Hikers: On April 29, while on patrol, Forest Ranger Martin encountered a group of four unprepared hikers from Pennsylvania. The hikers arrived at different times at the Lake Colden Outpost between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., and only one of the group had a headlamp. All of the hikers were cold and wet. One hiker was hypothermic. Ranger Martin warmed the hikers and provided nourishment. After Ranger Martin provided the help the group needed, they spent the night and continued out the following morning.