If you’re heading out camping this summer, the state wants you to leave your firewood home and only use the firewood that is available in the area you are visiting.

Sort of like, “think globally, but burn locally.” The problem is that invasive exotic insect pests are attacking New York’s trees, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. You’ve already heard about the chestnut blight, european gypsy moth, Dutch elm disease, and beech bark disease. Now, the state says, Asian long-horned beetles, hemlock wooly adelgids, pine shoot beetles and Sirex woodwasps are infesting our urban and rural forests — and killing thousands of trees. One main way these insects move around the country is on firewood carried by campers, hunters and others who use the forest and unknowingly transport the bugs to a camping area. In the Great Lake states, the invasive emerald ash borer has caused significant destruction of all native species of ash trees, which are also common across New York. In Detroit along, more than 70,000 city trees have been killed, the DEC said. Locally, the Asian long-horned beetle was found in New York in 1996. Areas of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau and Suffolk counties are under a federal quarantine that bans the movement of firewood and wood products of all hardwood species out of these areas. The larvae of the Asian long-horned beetle feed on mature trees. They inhibit the tree’s vascular system and ultimately kill it, the DEC said. In Asia, this beetle has attacked elm, willow and poplar trees. In Brooklyn, it has been found in the horsechesnut, and in Norway, sugar and silver maples. The DEC’s web site has photos of the Asian long-horned beetle and other invasive species.

This just flew in from the state Bridge Authority:

Three baby peregrine falcons chicks have a new home on the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

“It’s become somewhat of a spring ritual for our extended family at the bridge authority to welcome our new arrivals every spring,” said state Bridge Authority Chairman James P. Sproat. “We’re delighted to report that mother and babies are doing well.”

The Peregrine falcon is the fastest bird on the planet in its hunting dive, soaring to a half mile or more, then diving at speeds in excess of 200mph. The top speed recorded for a Peregrine dive is 242.3mph.

Falcon chicks are called eyas and will grow more of a downy coat as they mature. It is expected that the chicks will be tagged by wildlife specialists in the near future.

The name Peregrine means “wanderer,” and northern-nesting Peregrines are among North America’s long-distance migratory species, traveling as much as 10,000 miles a year. Peregrines mate for life and usually return to the same nesting spot each year.

A medium-sized falcon, the Peregrine will grow to about 15 to 21 inches long and have a wingspan of more than 3 feet.

In 1970, the Peregrine was federally protected in the United States. Peregrines have since made a strong recovery, aided by wildlife management such as providing habitats on structures like the bridges over the Hudson River.

In order to protect the birds, the nesting spot in the Mid-Hudson Bridge is in a remote location and not accessible to the public.

The Mid-Hudson Bridge links Dutchess and Ulster counties.

Two birds that always catch my eye when they’re in the sky, and who couldn’t look more different than each other in terms of the figure they present while flying, are great blue herons and turkey vultures.

That thought popped into my head yesterday when I saw a turkey vulture on an updraft near Interstate 84 in Southeast and a heron nonchalantly flapping its wings somewhere along Route 22 near Croton Falls. (I found the videos online. The vulture one shows what I’m talking about but the heron one is kind of lacking. I’m referring more to a blue heron spotted high in the sky.)

Seeing a turkey vulture in the sky always reminds me of a paper airplane as the bird teeters on the wind or a rising thermal.

With its long neck and beak in front and its long legs extended to the rear, a great blue heron makes me think of a pterodactyl. Given their regal appearance as they strut through the shallows hunting fish, I always picture a great blue heron character in, say, a Disney flick, having a British accent. But anyone familiar with the classics knows that vultures are from England, maybe even Liverpool.

Can’t we all just get along? That’s the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s hopes when it comes to humans and coyotes and black bears. The department recently put out tips for homeowners, campers and hikers to avoid such run-ins.

The coyote on the right was loping through Hawthorne in the summer of 2005.

From the DEC:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today reminded campers, hikers and homeowners to take precautions against encounters with black bears while enjoying the outdoors, particularly in the Adirondack, Catskill and Allegany regions of New York State. DEC also informed New Yorkers that they may see coyotes more frequently during the spring and early summer because they will be raising their litters, and offered recommendations on how best to avoid conflicts with these animals. Campers, Hikers, and Homeowners Can All Help Deter Bears
Average adult male black bears weigh about 300 pounds, while females average about 170 pounds. Black bears are omnivorous, eating grasses berries, fruit, nuts, seeds, insects, grubs, and carrion. Bears are very opportunistic foragers and also readily take advantage of human sources of food such as agriculture crops, honey, bird seed, trash, and pet food when available.
The Adirondack region, with approximately 5,000 bears, contains the
largest bear population in New York. The Catskill region contains more
than 1,500 bears, and the Allegany region more than 300 bears. In
recent years, bears have been expanding their range outside of these
core areas.

Bears are intelligent and curious animals that spend a great deal of
time exploring for food, and this can bring them close to humans.
While a bear’s eyesight is comparable to a human’s, they primarily
rely on their sense of smell to locate food. Bears are powerful
animals and can turn over large rocks and logs in their efforts to
obtain natural foods. They can easily break into backpacks, tents,
coolers and food storage bags, and have also been known to break car
windows in their search for food. Once bears associate a certain
location or activity with food, they will continue to frequent that
location and repeat the activity.

When bears learn to obtain food from humans, they can become bold and
aggressive; as a result their natural foraging habits and behavior
often change. Usually solitary, bears may become concentrated in areas
near food sources, a situation which can lead to stress and injuries
from physical conflicts with other bears and can increase the spread
of diseases among bears. Also, when feeding from human sources, bears
will often eat unhealthy materials such as soap, shaving cream, insect
repellant and food packaging.

The intentional and unintentional feeding of bears can be illegal and
is unwise. The best way to avoid negative encounters with these
animals is to eliminate feeding of them and thus prevent them from
associating humans with a food source.

Black Bears Around Residences:

Black bears will become a nuisance and can cause significant damage in
communities if they believe they can obtain an easy meal from bird
feeders, garbage cans, dumpsters, barbecue grills, tents, vehicles,
out-buildings or houses. Once a bear becomes a problem, DEC is often
called on to relocate the offending animal. Bear relocations, however,
are rarely effective permanent solutions to the problem. Relocated
animals often return to their original capture site or simply continue
their bad habits at a new location. If the circumstances that led to
the original problem are not corrected, other bears will quickly be
attracted to the site and the human/bear conflicts will persist. Bears
are extremely mobile and have excellent homing abilities. The simplest
way to avoid a nuisance encounter is to remove all food sources.

Because virtually all nuisance bear problems are the result of hungry
bears being attracted to human food, pet food, bird food or garbage,
chance encounters can be minimized by taking some simple precautions:
—Never feed bears – it’s unwise, in many circumstances illegal, and
it causes and perpetuates nuisance bear activity;
—If you believe that bears are being fed, intentionally or
unintentionally, immediately report it to DEC;
—Stop feeding birds as soon as the snow melts. Birds do not need
supplemental food in the summer when natural foods are most abundant.
Clean up all seed fragments and shells left over from winter feeding,
as the smell will attract bears;
—Dispose of garbage as frequently as possible. Store it in clean,
secure containers (top-latched, tied or chained). Tie off garbage bags
before placing in container;
—Keep garbage in cans inside buildings whenever possible;
—If garbage is picked up at the curb, put the garbage out just
before the scheduled pickup or place it in a roadside bear-resistant
container. Do not put garbage out the night before curbside pick-up;
—Clean garbage cans frequently with ammonia;
—Do not add meat scraps, bones or melon rinds to your compost pile;
—Do not burn garbage, especially meat scraps and grease;
—Clean barbecue grills before and after use and, after they cool
down, store them inside;
—Feed pets indoors and store pet food indoors. If pets must be fed
outdoors, take in all uneaten food and dishes before dark;
—Turn off kitchen exhaust fans that vent to the outside whenever
possible.

Black Bears Around Campsite and Hiking Trails:

Hikers and campers can avoid negative encounters with bears through
the proper storage and management of bear attractants such as food and
trash. While hiking and camping in New York, follow these practices:
—Keep food, toiletries and garbage in bear resistant containers at
all times, take down only what is needed for cooking. Bear resistant
canisters are a highly effective means for preventing bears from
getting food, toiletries and garbage from back country campers. Information on bear -resistant containers.
—Bear resistant containers are required to be used by all overnight
campers within the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Zone of the
Adirondack Forest Preserve;
—If you have no choice but to hang your food, toiletries and
garbage, use a “food hang” with a dark colored cord. The cord should
be 75 feet long and the bag should be hung 15 feet above the ground
and at least 10 feet away from other trees;
—Never leave food unattended unless it is in a bear resistant
container or in a food hang;
—Never cook or eat in your sleeping area;
—Cook early.

When camping in developed campgrounds, campers should follow these
rules:
—Do not leave coolers or food out at any time. Store them securely
in either the trunk of your car or in the passenger area of your
truck. Keep windows shut and food and coolers out of sight;
—Where food lockers are provided, food and coolers must be stored
and locked inside;
—Clean up immediately after all meals;
—Keep grills, pots, pans, cooking utensils, and wash basins clean
when not in use;
—Do not wash dishes under the drinking water faucets at campgrounds;
—Do not put grease, garbage, plastic diapers, cans, bottles or other
refuse into the fireplace;
—Do not keep food or coolers in your tent;
—Do not wear clothing to bed that was worn while preparing or eating
meals;
—Keep campsites as clean as possible. Bring all garbage and
recyclables to the recycling center each day by 8 p.m.

While these rules are required to be followed at DEC campgrounds,
campers at other private and public campgrounds are also strongly
encouraged to follow these practices to avoid bear encounters.

The glimpse of a black bear at a distance can be a safe and enjoyable
outdoor experience; close encounters with bears, however, should be
avoided. Never approach or surround a bear, as bears aggressively
defend themselves when they feel threatened or cornered. Be cautious
around cubs, as adult female bears are protective of their young.

Do not throw backpacks or food bags at an approaching bear, this
practice will only encourage bears to approach and “bully” people to
get food. Use noise to scare bears away – yell, clap or bang pots
immediately upon sighting a bear near your campsite. Never run from a
bear. If you feel threatened, back away slowly while yelling at the
animal. Avoid walking trails at night to prevent chance encounters.

People are More Likely to See Coyotes in the Spring

Coyotes live throughout upstate New York and the period from April
through June is the peak of their pup-rearing activity. Coyotes have a
high demand for food at this time of the year, and residents are more
likely to see coyotes because of their increased activity in our
environment.

Coyotes are seen in both developed and rural areas. Homeowners should
take sensible precautions to avoid attracting coyotes to their
property. DEC has issued the following recommendations to reduce the
chances for a negative encounter with a coyote:
—Never feed or attempt to get close to a coyote;
—Keep pets under control, and be sure not to leave them out at
night. Coyotes may kill or injure a pet, especially small dogs and
cats. Walk your dog on a leash and accompany your pet outside,
especially at night. Provide secure shelters for poultry, rabbits, and
other vulnerable animals;
—Control other sources of food that may attract a coyote: keep your
trash secure and compost bins covered; stop feeding birds as soon as
the snow melts and clean up all seed fragments and shells left over
from winter feeding as the smell may attract coyotes; and keep dog and
cat food bowls inside. Coyotes that rely on wild food sources remain
wild and wary of people;
—Coyotes like areas where they can hide, yet still be near food. You
can help deter coyotes by thinning brushy areas in your yard and
closing off crawl spaces. Coyotes may use areas under outbuildings for
resting or raising young;
—If others in your neighborhood are attracting coyotes, tell them
about the hazards posed by coyotes and ask them to take the measures
recommended above.

Never try to get close to a coyote. Any coyote that shows unusual
boldness or acts tame should be avoided. Coyote attacks directed
towards people have occurred in the western United States, and
aggressive coyote behavior has also been reported in the eastern
United States and in New York State.

DEC estimates that there are currently about 30,000 coyotes statewide.
As coyotes become more adapted to living near people, hearing or
seeing coyotes may become more common. These increased sightings
should not be interpreted as aggressive behavior. A coyote seen in
overgrown fields, brushy areas, woodlands, or habitats in between
these areas of natural cover is normal.

In 2005, DEC and Cornell University began an in-depth, five-year study
of coyote ecology and behavior in the urban and suburban areas of New
York. This research will comprehensively evaluate coyote behavior and
activity in areas where human-coyote interactions are more likely. The
research will also evaluate the public’s attitudes and behaviors
relating to coyotes.

Should anyone notice a coyote acting strangely or causing a nuisance,
call the nearest regional DEC office to report the animal. Contact
information for all DEC regional offices can be found at
http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/558.html on the DEC website.

For more information on coyotes and preventing conflicts with coyotes
in New York State, visit the DEC’s Web site.

For additional information about bears in New York State and the
initiatives DEC is employing to help study and manage the population,
also visit the DEC’s Web site.

A bunch of scientific organizations sent out an e-mail the other day announcing the creation of the “Encyclopedia of Life�.

It sounded interesting.

Over the next decade, the “encyclopedia� will create a web site for all 1.8 million species currently known to exist, starting with animals, plants and fungi, while also leaving room to include any new discoveries.

Organizers say they want the encyclopedia to serve as a global biodiversity tool that can provide scientists, policymakers, students and average citizens with the information they need to both discover and protect the planet, and encourage learning and conservation.

Numerous people are expected to contribute to the encyclopedia, but scientists will review the information so users can be sure of its accuracy.

The collaborative effort is being led by the Field Museum, Harvard University, the Marine Biological Laboratory (better known as Woods Hole), and the Missouri Botanical Garden, among others. Funding assistance is coming in the form of a $10 million grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and $2.5 million from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Two new regional directors were named today by state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis.

The following is from a press release issued today by the DEC.

William C. Janeway has been selected as regional director for DEC Region 3, which serves Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. Suzanne Y. Mattei has been selected as regional director for Region 2, which serves the New York City boroughs.

Janeway currently serves as director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy in New York. Since 1994, he has been the organization’s liaison in building government partnerships with government agencies on cooperative environmental conservation development projects across the state.

In the late 1990’s, Janeway was executive director of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, where he helped raise $23 million to expand the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and advance conservation of the rare inland Pine Barrens. He then served as executive director of the Hudson Valley Greenway Conservancy, where he focused on projects designed to conserve and interpret the environmental and historic heritage of the Hudson River Valley and the economic potential for the area.

From 1985 to 1994, Janeway worked for the Adirondack Mountain Club. He began his professional career with the club as a trails coordinator and later served as its director of North Country operations. As director, he coordinated the funding of education projects, long-term planning, daily operations and the trails and wilderness programs.

Janeway graduated from St. Lawrence University, where he received his B.A. in economics, concentrating on environmental studies.

Mattei most recently served as executive for the Sierra Club in New York City. While there, she led important initiatives including highlighting the health and environmental impacts of the World Trade Center terrorist attack, improving childhood lead poisoning prevention efforts, and protecting wetlands in Staten Island.

From 1998 to 2003, she was an associate counsel and public policy director for the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Mattei has also worked for the New York City public advocate as an assistant deputy advocate for research and investigation, and for the New York City comptroller as a senior environmental advisor in the Office of Policy Management. While serving in both capacities, she developed valuable environmental experience focusing on issues including energy, wetland restoration, recycling, and solid waste.

Mattei was also the director for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. She graduated from Washington State University with a B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, and received her law degree from Yale Law School.

The Ramapo Highlands Coalition will focus on the history of the Ramapo Mountains when it meets at 7 p.m. tomorrow, in the community room at Suffern Library, off Lafayette Avenue.

Ramapo Town Historian Craig Long will be the speaker, and you can expect lots of interesting historical photographs and tidbits.

The Ramapo Highlands Coalition formed in 2005 in response to increasing development in the area. Members include environmental groups and local citizens.

In a study due to be published tomorrow in the journal Nature, researchers report that seven species of common birds have been devastated by the West Nile virus.

The Associated Press has a story today that says the American crow, blue jay, tufted titmouse, American robin, house wren, chickadee and Eastern bluebird have been ravaged by the virus; only the blue jay and house wren have bounced back.

Birds can act as an early warning system for humans, and if many birds are dying off, it could be a sign that there could be a human outbreak, the AP story says.

Check out AP for details or read a press release issued by the scientists.

Those who attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine are a pretty hearty lot, but they too need water.

Volunteers who can help drop off water for these hikers once a week for about a month are currently being sought.

The water gets dropped off at the trail where it crosses East Mombasha Road in the northern end of the town of Tuxedo just over the Rockland border in Orange County. It’s only about a 10- or 15-minute drive from Sloatsburg. A small group of volunteers has been leaving water for about nine years and now needs a few extra hands.The effort runs from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

Send an e-mail to sallyso@optonline.net or call 845-351-5635 for more information or to volunteer.

Many of us in the Lower Hudson Valley feel overrun by deer. They’re in your garden and on the roads. Down Under, the problem seems to be kangaroos. Australian authorities say there are as many as 1,100 kangaroos per square mile in the outskirts of the country’s capital.

Compare that with the various estimates I’ve seen of 25-80 deer per square mile in northern Westchester.

The kangaroos have become enough of a problem that the Australian government wants to hire professional sharpshooters to reduce their numbers.

There’s also the future possibility of kangaroo contraception.