DEC Does What?!

New York Helps Local Communities Get Climate Smart—One Municipality at a Time

In this episode, hosts Adriana Espinoza and Sean Mahar talk with Dazzle Ekblad and Myra Fedyniak—Climate Policy Analysts with DEC’s Office of Climate Change—about how New York State engages with local governments to support climate action through grant funding and guidance from regional coordinators, and how the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the Environmental Bond Act is helping support local climate mitigation and adaption projects in communities across the state.
Climate Smart Communities (New York State)
Grants for Climate Action
During Earth Week, DEC Announces More Than 20 Municipalities Certified as Climate Smart Communities (April 2026)
Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Reporting System
About: 
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast  
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.  
 

Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells - Meet the Team Tracking These Hidden Hazards

Approximately 35,000 orphaned wells are estimated to exist in New York State, many drilled and abandoned before the existence of DEC or modern environmental regulations. In this episode, hosts DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar talk with Grace Gallagher and Nathan Graber from DEC’s Oil and Gas Compliance Enforcement Section about New York State’s progress to identify, prioritize, and plug abandoned wells. They’ll cover how drone technology helps locate high priority orphaned gas wells leaking methane into the environment and ways DEC engages with New Yorkers to search for abandoned wells on their property.  
Episode Notes:  
Orphaned and Abandoned Wells 
Completed New York Works Well Plugging Projects
Clean, Drain, Dry 
About:  
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast  
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.  

And the Survey Says...

In this episode, hosts DEC Region 4 Director Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza talk with Kaleb Winters, Land Surveyor in DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests. They discuss the history of land surveying and the remarkable and longstanding accuracy of the man who first started surveying the Adirondacks and Catskills back in the 1800s, Verplanck Colvin.
Episode Notes:  
 Birth of the Blue Line in the Adirondack And Catskill Parks 
Conservationist magazine article – “Verplanck Colvin,” February/March 1954 
Conservationist magazine article – “Father of the Adirondack Park,” June 1997 
Conservationist magazine article – “The Adirondacks… From Exploitation to Conservation,” February 2002 
New York State Archives 
 About:  
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast    
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.  
 

For the Birds

With peak spring bird migration season underway, hosts Adriana Espinoza and Sean Mahar talk with DEC wildlife biologists Abby Valachovic and Meghan Oberkircher about the science and biology behind annual migration patterns of more than 450 native bird species, how DEC tracks bird species and protects local habitats across the State, and tips for New Yorkers to protect birds living in their community.
 
The episode also features Tom Collins, environmental program specialist with DEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, who shares how the New York State Birding Trail is helping New Yorkers “Get Offline and Get Outside” as part of the I BIRD NY Challenge.
 
Birds - NYSDEC
I BIRD NY Challenge
New York State Birding Trail
DEC Launches I BIRD NY Library Lending Program
DEC and OGS Remind New Yorkers to Keep 'Lights Out' to Protect Migrating Birds
 
About: 
 
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast
  
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”. 

The Dirt on Composting

We explore the work of DEC’s organics reduction and recycling experts who oversee statewide food waste management and composting efforts.
 
Episode Notes: 
Ahead of International Composting Awareness Week, hosts Adriana Espinoza and Sean Mahar talk with experts from DEC’s Division of Materials Management—Kristine Ellsworth, Environmental Engineer, and Miranda Wolf, Environmental Program Specialist—about the State’s investments in growing and supporting the composting industry throughout New York State. The episode also provides information for New Yorkers looking to start composting at home or through programs available in their local community.
 
Resources: Composting & Organics Recycling
Home Composting
Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law
International Composting Awareness Week
New York State Burn Ban
Trout Fishing Season (2026)
 
About: 
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast
  
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”. 

Moose on the Loose

Learn all about moose with Dave Kramer, a Research Scientist in the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Hear about all the ways DEC monitors the moose population in New York State using aerial surveys, GPS tracking, and public sighting reports. You’ll also hear about what to do if you encounter a moose in the wild and a little bit about moose butts.
Episode Notes:
Moose species profile, with link to report moose sightings
Moose management
Public Moose Sightings by Town Map 2014-2022
Snapshot NY
 
For more information on "DEC Does What?!," visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast 

Happy Campers

This Season 4 kick off episode spotlights DEC’s affordable and fun DEC summer camp offerings and the lifelong bonds they help create. DEC’s Summer Camp program attracts 1,400 children each summer to the State’s week-long sleepaway learning experience at four different locations across the state.
Episode Notes:  
Summer Camp Experience
Register Online
Employment at Education Camps 
 
For more information on "DEC Does What?!," visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast 
 

Join Team DEC

In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica welcome Alan Ilagan, Associate Director Human Resources, and Natalie Joseph, Human Resources Specialist, with DEC’s Division of Human Resources to highlight DEC’s recruiting efforts to fill positions across every region of New York State, open exam announcements for Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers, and how potential candidates can find jobs through the State’s Civil Service system.
 
Episode Notes:
Employment Opportunities with DEC
Apply to Become a DEC Environmental Conservation Officer | VIDEO
Apply to Become a DEC Forest Ranger | VIDEO
New York HELPS
About:
 
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Region 4 Director Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast 
 
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.

New York Camping Is In-Tents

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 Sean and Erica 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.
Episode Notes:  
First-Time Camper Weekend Program
Camping Reservations
VIDEO: Know Before You Go – DEC Campgrounds
VIDEO: Throwback Adirondack and Catskill Camping - From the DEC Vault
About:
“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast   
 
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.

The (State) Fair Necessities

Since the 1930s, DEC (then known as New York’s Conservation Department) has participated in events at the New York State Fairgrounds. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by Oneida Fish Hatchery Manager Bill Evans and Public Participation Specialist Emma Antolos to explore how DEC staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, Law Enforcement, Forest Protection, and Communications, Education, and Engagement promotes outdoor recreational opportunities and environmental conservation efforts across the state.  
Episode Notes:
The Great New York State Fair
VIDEO: DEC Aquarium at the New York State Fair
VIDEO: Estimating Walleye Abundance in Oneida Lake
About: “DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast   
Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at contact@dec.ny.gov using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.