|  February is Black History Month, and DEC joins the rest of the nation in highlighting this year's theme: Black Health and Wellness. Visit our website where we highlight partner organizations with a mission rooted in ensuring Black people have access to the great outdoors and opportunities for positive experiences in nature.
Look for Wildlife Tracks this Winter  Now is a great time to search for winter tracks (PDF) or other animal signs visible in the snow. It can be fun to be a detective and figure out what animals have been walking through your yard or across a trail. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Snow conditions can make a difference in a track's appearance—wet snow captures a print better than powdery snow.
- Members in the dog family (coyote, fox, or dogs) will usually leave claw prints above the toes, while the cat family (bobcat, housecat) will not. You should see four toes on both front and back feet for both families.
- Rodents, such as squirrels, chipmunks, mice, muskrats, and voles, usually have four toes on the front feet and five on the back. Claws may or may not be seen.
- Bring a notebook, camera, or field guide with you.
- Sometimes an animal's droppings, or scat, can help you identify it—a rabbit's scat looks like small balls of sawdust.
Find out more in the Become a Winter Wildlife Detective (PDF) issue of Conservationist for Kids. Check out the video on winter wildlife tracks and scat identification on DEC's Facebook page. Photo of ruffed grouse tracks by Sandy Van Vranken.
New Recreation-Themed Trail Supporter Patches  Show your support for New York's outdoor spaces by purchasing a New York State Trail Supporter Patch! The 2022 patches consist of five designs that resemble the international symbols for some of New York State's most popular outdoor recreation activities - cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and biking. Each patch will be available individually for a limited time, or the entire series can be purchased at any time.
Purchase a Trail Supporter Patch for $5 (or the full series for $25) at any sporting license sales outlet or online at the DECALS website (leaves DEC). The proceeds from patch sales go into the Conservation Fund's Outdoor Recreation, Trail Maintenance, and Development account to help maintain and enhance DEC's non-motorized recreation trails throughout the state. Since its introduction in 2007, patch sales have funded a variety of projects, including the construction of foot bridges on the Northville-Placid Trail and multiple lean-tos in the High Peaks Wilderness. Patch funds were also used to maintain the Otter Creek horse trails. For more information on the Trail Supporter Patch, visit DEC's website.
How to Dress for a Cold Weather Hike  Winter recreation is fun and exciting. It can also be challenging and dangerous. Whether you're going for a hike, a bike, a paddle, or fishing, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind.
Knowing how to layer is essential to staying warm and safe on a cold weather hike. From the best base layer materials to added accessories, DEC's How to Layer for a Cold Weather Hike video (on DEC's YouTube Channel) breaks down what to wear, what to bring, and how to make the most of your winter layering system. A few tips from the video: - Avoid cotton. Choose fabrics made of wool or synthetic blends that will wick moisture away from your skin and continue to provide insulation even when wet.
- You need a close-fitting base layer, but space between your other layers will help you retain heat.
- Bring a high loft insulating layer to wear over the rest of your layers at the summit or when you stop to rest. This will help you maintain your body temperature even when you aren't moving.
- Avoid sweating. As sweat dries, it cools, lowering your body temperature along with it. As you hike, add and subtract layers to keep yourself warm without sweating.
- Pack extras of all layers. If a layer gets wet, especially your socks, change into a dry one.
For more tips and a layer-by-layer rundown of what to wear, watch the video on DEC's YouTube channel.
Look for Safe Ice When Ice Fishing & Free Fishing Weekend  Safe ice should be your number one consideration when ice fishing. Be sure ice is at least 4 inches thick. DEC's ice fishing webpage has links to our basic technique video, regulations, and places to ice fish. Don't forget to buy your annual fishing license. For more information on places to ice fish, visit DEC's website.
Don't forget, February 19-20 is a free fishing weekend where anyone can fish in New York without a fishing license. It's the perfect opportunity to introduce fishing to a friend or family member.
Be a 'Snow Birder' This Winter  While the chilliest months of the year may seem like the hardest time to venture outdoors, it can be a great time to go birding. Layer up and head out to your backyard, local park, or other public space and observe some of the bird species that you may not normally see during warmer months.
Winter raptors (PDF) including snowy owls (PDF), short-eared owls, barn owls, and hawks migrate south from the Canadian tundra and can be observed near open bodies of water and large grasslands. Some species of woodpeckers may be easier to hear or see in their winter homes. Black-capped chickadees remain in Northern climates due to their ability to survive the ultra-cold weather. Winter is also the best time to observe bald eagles! Use a website like eBird to see what species have been detected near you. The free Merlin Bird ID app can help you identify unfamiliar birds and add even more new species to your lists. Snowy owl by Bill Combs Jr.
Nature Notes Did you Know... The snowy owl is the heaviest North American owl and shows up irregularly in winter to hunt in windswept fields. It spends summers far north of the Arctic Circle hunting lemmings, ptarmigan (a type of grouse), and other prey in 24-hour daylight. It can even be found depicted in European cave paintings.
Upcoming Events Be sure to check out DEC's wide selection of outdoor activities on our events calendar. View activities for the upcoming month or all the planned events available, including public hearings and meetings. For specific information about upcoming events at DEC's Environmental Education Centers, see the following links: Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany County) Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center (Erie County) Rogers Environmental Education Center (Chenango County) Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County)
Check Out Our Facebook Live Events As always, be sure to visit our Facebook page for updates and to view our Facebook Live offerings. From adventures at fish hatcheries and nighttime hiking to Q&As about black bears, there is always something to see and learn.
Conservationist  You never know what a new year will bring, but if you received the December 21/January 22 Conservationist, you'll have a calendar that not only features beautiful pictures, but also lists some key dates and activities in 2022. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about ice shanties, the New York State Birding Trail, and how DEC and its partners are working to estimate the number of moose in the Adirondacks as part of an effort to support a strong, healthy moose population. Subscribe today by visiting DEC's website or calling 1-800-678-6399.
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