Syracuse.com - DEC will have noticeable presence at this year's state fair

[HuntingNY-News]

Staff from the DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources will sell hunting and fishing licenses every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The following is a DEC press release:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will participate in the New York State Fair, which opens August 23 and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 3. DEC will have exhibits at both the Aquarium Building and the Log Cabin Building with both exhibits open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

“DEC will have a notable presence at this year’s New York State Fair so New Yorkers and visitors can learn about the opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation across the state,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said. “Fairgoers also will be able to find out how they can help protect the environment from invasive pests and sign up for our ever-popular Conservationist magazine at a discount. DEC is just one of hundreds of interesting and fun exhibitors at this year’s fair that visitors will not want to miss.”

At the Aquarium Building, various species of live fish will be on display in large tanks. Environmental Conservation Officers will also be on hand to talk to the public about their work and answer questions pertaining to environmental law.

DEC’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources will sell hunting and fishing licenses every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Licenses can be purchased in the Aquarium Building. A biologist will be on duty to answer hunting and fishing questions as well. In addition, Sportsmen’s Education will be located next to license sales during the entire fair, as will the New York Conservation Officers Association.

The Information and Conservationist booth will serve as a focal point for all questions related to DEC programs. Staff at the booth will have a laptop computer to assist the public in finding items of interest on the DEC’s award-winning web pages. The booth will also feature DEC’s educational and eye-appealing Conservationist magazine. The public can sign up for the magazine (and save $2 on a subscription) and enter a contest to win a free lifetime fishing license. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest, so be sure to stop by and put your name in the drawing.

Returning this year, in the courtyard next to the Log Cabin, is the DEC’s Pesticide program exhibit featuring information about how to use chemicals and pesticides safely. At the Log Cabin, the Division of Lands and Forests will have daily free tree giveaways starting at 10 a.m. There will also be information on the vast amount of DEC managed recreation land throughout the state and what the public can do when they visit DEC land such as hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping and much more.

Displays and brochures will be available that will show how the public can utilize DEC's web site to access detailed information and maps for their next outdoor adventure on State lands.

There will also be displays and information regarding the emerald ash borer and other invasive species that pose a threat to New York. Staff will be available throughout the day to educate the public about DEC’s programs to control these invasive insects and what one should do if they discover a pest.

Free pamphlets highlighting DEC’s popular state campgrounds will be available in the Log Cabin. The Big Buck Club will have a display and members available to answer questions. DEC’s Watchable Wildlife program, Onondaga County’s “Save the Rain” campaign, information about federal wetlands administered by the Army Corps of Engineers, and educational material from the Environmental Facilities Corporation will also be available in the Log Cabin. Finally, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference will staff the lean-to along the nature trail that runs behind the log cabin.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog