New York Mixed Bag: Habitat work at French Creek WMA in Jefferson County helps grouse, woodcock

Clayton, N.Y. — Staff from DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife spent a day in early March working together to improve habitat for wildlife at French Creek Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County. The goal was to create habitat suitable for ruffed grouse, eastern whip-poor-will, and American woodcock. Several other wildlife species are expected to benefit as well.

Two forest stands were targeted. In one stand, staff marked selected trees that would be cut later. This “thinning” will help encourage forest regeneration – which is lacking in this stand – by allowing sun to reach the ground and allow young trees to grow, as well as cause cut aspen trees to sprout new shoots. Thick aspen regeneration should provide great cover habitat. Softwood trees also provide cover for wildlife, and many of these will be retained in this area. No trees will be cut along the road or by the wetland to create a buffer that protects soil and water quality. Invasive honeysuckle shrubs will also be removed.

In the second stand, staff created a small 6-acre clearcut. Seed-bearing trees in good health were not cut and will provide the next generation of trees. Nut-bearing trees were also retained to provide food for wildlife. Some standing dead trees or “snags” were left standing, which can be great nesting or perching spots.

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Warren County Promotes Fish Hatchery Manager Jeff Inglee To Head Recreation Dept.

Warrensburg, N.Y. — Longtime Warren County employee Jeff Inglee has been hired as the county’s  new Director of Parks, Recreation and Railroad. Inglee, who has worked as Warren County Fish Hatchery Manager since August 2008, replaces Dean Moore, who retired in March.

“The fish hatchery will always be my baby,” Inglee said, adding that he’s looking forward to his new duties that along with hatchery will now include overseeing boat launches and canoe access points on the Hudson and Schroon rivers, the Warren County Bikeway, Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center, Swede Mountain Firetower hiking trail, Warren County Fairgrounds, the rail line and more.

Inglee studied environmental science at SUNY Plattsburgh and Paul Smith’s College before taking a job with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and coming to the county hatchery job from the DEC. He has overseen ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure at the hatchery, which annually raises tens of thousands of trout for stocking in Warren County waters.

Public Input Welcome on ADK High Peaks, Kaaterskill Clove Usage Reports

Palenville, N.Y. — DEC recently announced the release of two reports, prepared by planning firms DJ&A and Otak, regarding Visitor Use Management (VUM) for the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness and Kaaterskill Clove region of the Catskill Park. DEC is soliciting feedback from the public to help inform additional actions the state may take to enhance safety and the visitor experience.

Over the last decade, visitation to public lands across the country, including New York’s Forest Preserve, has been on an upward trend. The Adirondack High Peaks and the Catskill Park’s Kaaterskill Clove are among the most highly visited regions in the state, with each location experiencing the compounding effects of traffic and parking congestion, potentially unsafe conditions along busy state highways, crowded trails, summits and other points of interest, and physical degradation of trails and other facilities.

Management actions specific to the High Peaks Wilderness and Kaaterskill Clove will be developed and implemented based on the feedback provided and in consultation with local partners. Comments on the reports can be submitted by email to forestpreserve@dec.ny.gov by June 1.

Links to the reports can be found on DEC’s Forest Preserve website.

Henry’s Anthony Imperato Honored By NYS Fraternal Order of Police

New York, N.Y. — Henry Repeating Arms CEO Anthony Imperato has been named Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year by New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100. The honor was presented at the lodge’s 22nd annual awards dinner held on, April 15, in Howard Beach.

The award recognizes Imperato’s decades-long commitment to supporting the men and women of law enforcement, their families, departments, and the charitable organizations behind them through both personal efforts and the philanthropic initiatives of Henry Repeating Arms.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Imperato began his career working in his family’s police equipment business before founding Henry Repeating Arms in 1996. Today, the company employs over 700 people and operates more than 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Wisconsin (formerly New Jersey).

Through its “Guns For Great Causes” program, Henry Repeating Arms has supported numerous law enforcement organizations nationwide, including the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Fallen Officers Foundation, and many others. The program has also provided significant contributions to families of fallen officers and first responders, as well as pediatric healthcare initiatives.

For the occasion, Henry Repeating Arms donated two engraved .22 caliber rifles to be auctioned during the event, with proceeds benefiting the lodge’s ongoing initiatives. Additionally, the company has committed to producing two one-of-one commemorative rifles for Memorial Lodge 100 to utilize in future fundraising efforts.