Loving Our New York Lands All Year Long
Every winter, a variety of events from Christmas Bird Counts to First Day Hikes demonstrates that people from all over the state are using and enjoying parks, trails and public green spaces, partaking in activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, skiing and star gazing. No matter the season, outdoor activities have an impact on the land and it’s important that we do our part to protect New York lands all year long.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) launched the Love Our New York Lands campaign last spring in response to the steady increase in the number of visitors to state lands, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the decade prior, particularly in the Adirondacks and Catskills. This framework is appropriate for all New York lands, including state parks, historic sites, trails and greenways. Loving our New York lands means all of us have a responsibility to protect state lands for future generations by following the Hiker Responsibility Code, practicing Leave No Trace Principles, and considering less-visited open spaces.
As we embark on wintry adventures around the state, it's critical to keep hiker ethics in mind that are specific to winter activities. Planning ahead and preparing is essential to any activity, but in the wintertime planning for extreme weather is a must. Knowing the area where you’ll be recreating can help you monitor for snow conditions and be sure of which local authorities to contact in case of an emergency. It’s always a good idea to bring a buddy on your winter outings as well as leaving an itinerary with family or friends.
With an abundance of winter activities going on across the state, it’s important to keep other visitors in mind no matter how you recreate. We are lucky to have pristine snow-shoeing and skiing trails in New York, many of which are shared by multiple users. Ski and snowshoe tracks are obviously different and users should be sensitive to this. For instance, if a grooved track in the snow is present for skiers, look for parts of the trail without grooves to snowshoe on. It’s also a good idea to yield to downhill and faster traffic and step off a trail when you stop. No matter where you recreate, knowing the regulations and rules of state parks, trails and public lands is always a good idea.
Loving our New York lands can also mean choosing the path less traveled. Popular trails are popular for a reason, but New York has lots of hidden treasures just waiting to be explored. Now is a great time of the year to check out some of the state’s hidden gems. State Parks launched a free mobile app, The Parks Explorer App, to provide helpful information about the variety of destinations, activities and adventures available in state parks and historic sites. PTNY’s TrailFinder Map and DEC’s Info Locator are also great resources to find a new place to explore near you!
If you love visiting New York's state lands, join us in protecting our lands and resources for generations to come by minimizing your impact, carrying out what you carry in, stopping to check out signage at trailheads and visitor centers and encouraging others to care for our shared lands. Below are some resources you can use when planning your next trip.