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DEC Does What?!

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DEC Does What?!

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has launched a new podcast, “DEC Does What?!” to spotlight the important work of DEC experts working to protect New Yorkers and the state’s environment. Hosted by DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald, this bi-weekly podcast also includes an update on environmental news and recent DEC initiatives. 

“DEC Does What?!” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available.

Join Team DEC – Episode #30

In this episode, hosts Sean Mahar and Erica welcome Alan Ilagan, Associate Director of 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:

Past Podcast Episodes

Listen to past episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available.

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:  

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:

Bats are the world’s only flying mammal and New York State is home to nine different species. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by DEC Wildlife Biologists Casey Kennedy and Ashley Meyer with the Division of Fish and Wildlife to explain how DEC’s Bat Diversity Program tracks population changes and distribution of bats throughout the state. Guests also discuss the many benefits bats provide, how New Yorkers can help support and restore bat populations, misconceptions about rabies, and the devastating impact of White Nose Syndrome that causes mass mortality in four of New York’s hibernating bat species.

Episode Notes:

Established in 1949, New York’s Artificial Reef Program is the oldest in the U.S. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by DEC Marine Biologist Christopher LaPorta and Division Director Marty Gary to dive into the history of the State’s artificial reef network and how it artificial reefs help conserve, protect, and improve marine habitat for a variety of species. Guests also discuss how reefs support fishing and diving activities, and the coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard and other entities for deploying large vessels to the ocean floor.

Episode Notes:

New York State is rich in minerals, including sand, gravel, bluestone, zinc, and salt, which are mined for industrial and construction uses and the U.S. Geological Survey estimates the annual value of New York's mineral production at $1.84 billion. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by Psalm Wyckoff, Section Chief for the Mined Land Reclamation Program, and Jami June, Mined Land Reclamation Specialist—staff with DEC’s Division of Mineral Resources—to discuss the essential role of minerals in New York State’s economy and how the agency oversees the mining industry to ensure the protection of natural resources.

Episode Notes:

In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica speak with Officer Mary Frano and Officer Craig Tompkins from DEC’s Region 3 (lower Hudson Valley).

about the agency’s wide-ranging front line efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Conversations explore the critical work of DEC’s Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) who help protect New York’s air, water, wildlife, and public safety. The episode covers the wide-ranging responsibilities of ECOs as they enforce the New York Environmental Conservation Law, navigate the unpredictable nature of tasks during an “average” day, and guide the next generation of New Yorkers to engage in outdoor activities across New York State.

Episode Notes:

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:

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. Gainswindt 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:

In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by DEC 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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Every October, more than 5,000 students and educators from across New York State participate in the annual A Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor. The event provides opportunities for hands-on activities to encourage discovery and interest in protecting the Hudson River ecosystem.

This episode, hosts Sean and Erica welcome Chris Bowser—Education Coordinator with DEC’s Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and passionate advocate for connecting people to nature—for a wide-ranging conversation on DEC’s education and engagement work in communities along the Hudson River. Bowser is a familiar face to followers of DEC’s social media, often hosting livestream events to engage with viewers and explain DEC’s work to protect New York’s fish, animals, and natural environment.

During the episode, Bowser explains his role to encourage environmental stewardship of the Hudson River through a variety of DEC programs and work with scientists and educators at the Norrie Point Environmental Center, and how New Yorkers can get involved in protecting our environment and explore New York’s mighty Hudson River and estuary. He also traces his path from Rutgers University studying the biology of the New York Harbor, serving in the Peace Corps in West Africa, his time aboard the Clearwater Sloop on the lower Hudson River, and career with DEC.

Next episode: Sean and Erica talk about big game hunting season in New York State with DEC wildlife biologists.

Notes:

DEC’s dispatch office receives more than 100,000 calls every year. Sean and Erica talk to Communication Specialist Alicia Bodmer and Communication Technician David McCasland from Ray Brook Dispatch about what it’s like to respond to challenging calls. From coordinating mountain and water rescues to deploying staff and equipment during extreme weather events, DEC dispatchers hear it all, playing a frontline role in helping Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and Spills Response experts get to where they’re needed most. It’s not all emergencies though—you’ll hear some lighthearted stories too, including one about an owl who isn’t such a fan of Garth Brooks.

Notes:

Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States each year, more than hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding combined. In this episode, guest Dr. Leo Bachinger, Special Assistant with DEC’s Office of Climate Change, joins hosts Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald for a conversation about the biggest risks created by extreme heat, how climate change is worsening the impact of extreme heat on the human body and local ecosystems, and multi-agency efforts like New York State’s first-ever Extreme Heat Action Plan to help local communities prepare and respond to increased temperatures. Bachinger also explains the impact of the 2003 heat wave in Europe that killed tens of thousands of people and how it inspired his pursuit of a career studying climate change.

Notes:

While HABs have existed for billions of years, recent changes—including climate change, warmer temperatures, and increases in phosphorous and other nutrients—are accelerating their growth and negative impact on New York’s environment, human health, pets, and summertime activities. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by Matt Kraft and Leanna Pierson, Research Scientists with DEC’s Division of Water, for a closer look at HABs, state investments to improve water quality, and the agency’s education and outreach efforts (Know It, Avoid It, Report It (PDF)) to help New Yorkers track HABs in their communities.

Episode 10 also spotlights the latest environmental news and DEC initiatives, including State investments in partnership with the Billion Oyster Project that help strengthen coastal resiliency and improve water quality in Jamaica Bay using oysters, an upcoming joint environmental justice listening session with DEC and U.S. EPA experts on Long Island, and a preview of DEC’s participation at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse.

Show notes:

New York State is leading the way to advance more sustainable solid waste management and educating people about how to prevent landfilling, protect glass and other recyclables from “wish-cycling,” and directly support efforts to reduce climate-altering pollution. In this episode, Sean and Erica welcome Amy Bloomfield and Kayla Montanye, Environmental Program Specialists with DEC’s Division of Materials Management, to discuss how New Yorkers can take steps at home to help the recycling process succeed and the policies in place to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

One of DEC's primary missions is to oversee the cleanup of contamination throughout New York State, and this episode discusses the recent news on efforts underway to address the legacy of pollution from the former U.S. Navy and Northrup Grumman facility in Bethpage and related operations on Long Island. DEC is working closely with State, federal, and local partners to ensure public health and the environment are protected from contamination both near the surface and deeper underground in groundwater. Sean and Erica talk with Jason Pelton, Professional Geologist, and Jess LaClair, Environmental Engineer, both with DEC’s Division of Environmental Remediation, to discuss ongoing cleanup efforts on Long Island, how DEC’s cleanup programs support revitalization efforts in communities, and how New Yorkers can stay up to date on environmental cleanups happening across the state. 

Sean and Erica also unpack the latest environmental news and DEC initiatives, including New York State’s recently released Extreme Heat Action Plan, the newest Certified Climate Smart Communities, and improvements at Zoar Valley Unique Area aimed at improving access while keeping visitors safe.

Show notes:  

Anglers can find world-class fishing opportunities across New York State, thanks in large part to a network of 12 DEC-operated fish hatcheries – each specializing in raising and stocking various species of trout, walleye, salmon, muskellunge, and more! On this episode, Sean and Erica explore the importance of these facilities with Michelle Poprawski, DEC’s Catskill State Fish Hatchery Manager. Dive in and learn how Michelle and her fin-tastic team raise over 600,000 brown trout each year and stock them into more than 115 waterbodies throughout the Hudson Valley and Long Island to enhance recreational fishing opportunities. 

Beetles, round goby, kudzu, hydrilla - Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to New York’s environment, causing habitat degradation, loss of native species, crop damage, and much more. This episode, Sean and Erica are joined by DEC Research Scientists Cathy McGlynn and Jessica Cancelliere from the Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health to discuss all things invasive and the importance of public awareness. Cathy and Jessica discuss how DEC plays a critical role in research, monitoring, prevention, and management of invasive species across the state, plus tips for listeners about how everyone can help prevent the spread of species.

On April 22, 1970, Governor Nelson Rockefeller signed legislation to create the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Six years later, the legendary Nancy Lussier joined Team DEC, where she rose through the ranks from account clerk to become the agency’s longtime Director of the Division of Management and Budget Services. In preparation for her retirement, Nancy joins Sean and Erica for an in-depth look at her 50 years of service with New York State and DEC and how the agency continues to improve and evolve to assist DEC staff and the millions of New Yorkers we serve. Nancy embraced new technology to keep DEC at the forefront of progress while closely tracking the billions of dollars that protected New York’s land, water, and air, and beyond.

Did you know that DEC has a team of meteorologists using the latest science to keep New Yorkers informed about air quality across our state? This week, Sean and Erica are joined by DEC air pollution meteorologists Abigail Komarc and Sarah Lechleitner who explain the Air Quality Index and how to use it, how weather conditions and different seasons can affect air quality, whether we have to worry about wildfire smoke again this summer, and what it’s like to measure air quality in Antarctica.

We welcome Brendan Woodruff and Pam Hadad-Hurst, two hard-working members of our sustainability team, to discuss how DEC is leading on sustainability statewide to reduce greenhouse gases and protect our environment. Brendan and Pam outline sustainable practices in place at our facilities, DEC’s collaboration with other state agencies in “going green,” and ways New Yorkers can incorporate these same actions into their daily lives.

With Arbor Day approaching on April 26, we talk to foresters Bryan Ellis and Jason Drobnack about how New York’s forests are evolving, the role trees play in combating climate change, and why chainsaws still give New York a cutting edge in forest management.

In our first-ever episode, we speak with biologists Dr. Angelena Ross and Dr. Dan Rosenblatt, both with DEC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, on the potential effects of the April 8 solar eclipse on New York wildlife, work underway to protect endangered wildlife, and how different species adapt to changes in their habitat caused by climate change and other factors.

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