DEC Does What?!

Talking Turkey

In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica welcome Gordon Batcheller, retired DEC’s Wildlife Bureau Chief and current Wildlife Biologist with the Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, and Mike Menza, Environmental Program Specialist with DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, to discuss the extraordinary restoration success story for New York State’s wild turkey population, the spring and fall turkey hunting seasons, and the importance of continuing the heritage of turkey hunting and provide safe and ethical hunting opportunities to future generations. They also talk about how DEC’s intro song came to be.  
Episode Notes:
Wild Turkeys in New York State
Turkey Hunting Seasons
DEC’s Hunter Education Program
Opportunities for Youth Hunting
Get Outdoors and Get Together Day
 
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”.

Where Duty Meets the Wild

Hosts Sean and Erica speak with Captain Nancy Ganswindt and Forest Ranger Chuck Kabrehl about the critical work of DEC’s Division of Forest Protection in responding to wildfires and wilderness emergencies across the State. From fighting forest fires to conducting backcountry rescues to enforcing the laws of New York State, their talents are many. Capt. Ganswindt and Ranger Kabrehl also share their most memorable rescues, investigations, wildfire deployments, and even a surprise celebrity encounter with Nicole Kidman and Martha Stewart. Listeners will also learn about the importance of the annual burn ban, where to get daily air quality updates, and how to be prepared to hike smart before heading out to the woods.
Episode Notes:
Statewide Burn Ban: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/air-quality/open-burning 
Campfire Safety: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/fire-safety 
Fire Danger Map: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/wildfires/fire-danger-map 
Make Your Home Firewise: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/wildfires/firewise-new-york/homeowners 
Contact a Forest Ranger: https://dec.ny.gov/about/contact-us/forest-ranger-rosters 
Becoming a Forest Ranger: https://dec.ny.gov/about/employment/explore-career-descriptions/forest-ranger-1 
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”.

Meet the Commish

In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton about the opportunities and challenges leading New York’s expansive environmental agency, the foundational role of the State’s natural environment to the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, and the importance of standing up and leading on environmental protections.
 
Episode Notes:
Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton
GOGO: Get Offline, Get Outside
Transformational Opportunities Under the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act
25 Million Trees Toolkit
Mount Vernon Water Infrastructure Improvements
BearWise Basics

Why Did the Salamander Cross the Road? NY’s New Wetlands Law

In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by staff from DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife— Roy “JR” Jacobson, Habitat Protection Section Head, and Krista Spohr, Freshwater Wetlands Outreach Coordinator—for a conversation about the newly adopted freshwater wetland regulations and general permits, how DEC determines where wetlands are located to enhance conservation efforts statewide, and the long history of state and federal environmental protections for these critical ecosystems.
 
Episode Notes:
Freshwater Wetlands Program
DEC Finalizes Regulations to Protect Freshwater Wetlands
Free Fishing Weekend Events
Moose Rescued from Lake Abanakee
Camp Santanoni Winter Weekend Events
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 Interim 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”.

Spills, Spills, Spills

DEC’s Spills staff respond to more than 10,000 spills each year, part of the agency’s real-time emergency management of petroleum and hazardous and non-hazardous material releases that can have direct impacts to local streams, water supplies, and public health. In this episode, hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald are joined by staff from DEC’s Division of Environmental Remediation—Mike Zamiarski, Regional Spills Engineer in DEC’s Region 8, and Kevin Hale, Chief of Spill Response Coordination—to discuss how DEC’s Spill Response program protects and restores New York’s natural environment and how DEC’s spills experts are engaging the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technicians.
In this episode, Mike and Kevin explain the three key components of the program (prevention, response, and remediation), how staff use their professional judgement to address spills and clean up materials to protect New Yorkers, how DEC’s spill response staff coordinate with state agency partners, regional staff, local municipalities, and emergency responders on incidents in communities across the state, and New York’s nation-leading work to clean up leaking underground fuel storage tanks. We also learn about the different types of spills DEC responds to, including petroleum, chemicals, sewage, manure, and even beer, milk, and chocolate.
Episode Notes:
Chemical and Petroleum Spills
Reporting a Spill to DEC
Home Heating Safety: Oil Fuel Tanks (Video)
Underground Heating Oil Tanks: A Homeowner's Guide
Register for DEC’s 2025 Summer Camps
Upcoming Examinations for Special Licenses
DEC’s Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale
New Freshwater Wetland Regulations
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 Interim 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”.

Don't Be Salty New York!

In this episode, hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald are joined by Julie Berlinski, a research scientist with DEC’s Bureau of Water Resource Management, and Division of Water environmental program specialists Alene Onion and Leila Mitchell, to discuss the need to reduce rock salt use and how to do it. While the use of rock salt on roadways and sidewalks is necessary for safe and efficient travel during snowy New York winters, it can have negative impacts on lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Learn more about how to reduce rock salt use, and don’t be salty!
 
Notes:
Rock Salt Reduction webpage: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/rock-salt-reduction
Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) Program: https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/grant-applications/wqip-program
Ice Fishing: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/ice-fishing
Paint Collection Program: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/recycling-composting/postconsumer-paint-collection
Winter Hiking Safety: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hiking/winter-safety
Great Winter Hikes: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hiking/great-winter-hikes

The Greatest of Lakes

In this episode, we explore the work of DEC’s Division of Water to protect the iconic Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world.
DEC’s Great Lakes Program is the largest watershed by land area, working across over 42 percent of the state’s land area and along over 750 miles of shoreline. New York's Great Lakes Basin includes Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River, and holds 21 percent of the world's freshwater resources. Hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald are joined by Shannon Dougherty, DEC’s Great Lakes Program Director, to discuss restoration work in coordination with other counties and states, why DEC uses nature-based shoreline protection methods to protect local habitats and communities and support public access benefits, and recent success stories like the Rochester Embayment Area of Concern Delisting.
Shannon also explains how DEC tracks the overall health of the Great Lakes Basin, and the impact of HABs and climate change on Lake Erie and Ontario, including increased erosion and flooding events.
Episode 17 also spotlights the latest environmental news and DEC initiatives, including encouraging New Yorkers to sign up for one of DEC’s ‘First Day Hikes’ to celebrate the New Year, reminding outdoor adventurers to follow winter hiking safety tips, and to sign up to become Volunteer Campground Ambassadors for the 2025 camping season.
Episode Notes:
DEC’s Great Lakes Program
New York State Great Lakes Action Agenda
Rochester Embayment Area of Concern Delisting
Invasive Species: Asian Carp
First Day Hikes
Winter Hiking Safety (Video)
DEC Campground Ambassador Program
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 Interim 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”.

When Disaster Strikes

In this episode, we take a closer look at how DEC supported recovery efforts as part of the New York State Incident Management Team (IMT) operations in the city of Asheville, NC, following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
Hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald welcome Division of Forest Protection Forest Ranger Captain Adam Pickett and Division of Communication, Education, and Engagement/DEC Region 5 Public Participation Specialist Erin Hanczyk to discuss their 14-day IMT deployments, which included helping to distribute food and water to impacted communities and coordinating communications and outreach to support recovery efforts in western North Carolina.
Adam and Erin also discuss navigating the challenges of deployment, including coordinating logistics between state, federal, and local agencies, maintaining healthy work-to-rest schedules during lengthy workdays, and lending support to fellow disaster response team members with families in impacted communities. They discuss how their experiences help inform incident response in New York, including the recent Jennings Creek wildfire.
Episode 16 also spotlights the latest environmental news and DEC initiatives, including the graduation of DEC’s newest class of Forest Rangers, unique job opportunities with DEC, and a special holiday sale for The Conservationist, DEC’s official bi-monthly magazine.
Episode Notes:
The Conservationist Magazine
DEC’s Division of Forest Protection
DEC Announces Graduation of Nine New York State Forest Rangers (Photos)
Governor Hochul Announces Full Containment of Jennings Creek Wildfire at Sterling Forest State Park (Nov. 22, 2024)
“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 Interim 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”.

Relations with Indigenous Nations

November is Native American Heritage Month, a nationwide celebration of the contributions of Indigenous peoples and celebration of their heritage, traditions, culture, art, and history while acknowledging how society has impacted Indigenous peoples and culture. New York State was the first state to recognize ‘American Indian Day’ in 1916, originally observed on the second Saturday in May. In this episode, hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald are joined by Peter Reuben, Director of DEC’s Office of Indian Nation Affairs, and Beynan Ransom, the Office’s Program Coordinator, to discuss how DEC works to strengthen relationships and engagement with Indigenous Nations on environmental issues, protection of cultural and historical resources, and development of policies around various areas, including environmental justice.
Pete and Beynan—who are enrolled members of Indigenous Nations—discuss how their personal experience shaped their careers with DEC, future goals and objectives for the Office of Indian Nation Affairs in the coming years, and the recent return of 1,000 acres of ancestral land in the Tully Valley to the Onondaga Nation.
Episode 15 also spotlights the latest environmental news and DEC initiatives, including statewide drought conditions, DEC’s response to recent wildfires across the state—including the Jennings Creek fire in Orange County—and the statewide burn ban in place through Nov. 30, due to increased risk of wildfires.
 
Episode Notes: 
DEC’s Office of Indian Nation Affairs (OINA)
Governor Hochul, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Onondaga Nation and Attorney General James Announce More Than 1,000 Acres in Central New York's Tully Valley Returned to Onondaga Nation
Statewide Drought Watch Issued (Nov. 2024)
Wildland Fire Safety and Prevention
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 Interim 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”.
 

Pheasants and Deer and Bear, Oh My!

Hunting remains one of the most popular forms of outdoor wildlife recreation in New York State, with more than 565,000 licensed hunters generating approximately $1.5 billion in economic activity each year. In this episode, hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald are joined by Timothy Pyszczynski and Brendan Quirion—Wildlife Biologists with DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife—to discuss the importance of hunter education and safety programs to recruit the next generation of hunters and help prevent hunting-related accidents, preview the deer and bear harvest for 2024-2025, and explore the role of big game hunting in wildlife management and conservation, including maintaining healthy deer and bear populations. Tim and Brendan also reflect on how their passion for science and the outdoors led to careers with DEC and share their favorite venison meals and how local harvests help reduce our environmental footprint and feed New Yorkers in need.
 
Episode Notes:
DEC Reminds Outdoor Enthusiasts to Share the Woods Safely This Season
Learn to Hunt Opportunities in New York
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
Learn More: Hunter Education Programs (NYSDEC)
Changes to State Sporting License, Carcass Tags for 2024
DEC Announces Nine-Pound Smallmouth Bass Breaks State Fishing Record
DEC Rock Salt Usage survey (Deadline Nov. 1, 2024)
I Bird New York Challenge ends Nov. 1, 2024
Prioritize Home Heating Safety This Winter by Inspecting Oil Fuel Tanks and Equipment for Leaks and Spills