Environment DEC
From the October 2003 issue
DEC's Nature Trail Places First in National Competition
DEC was selected as a first-place winner by the Association for Conservation Information (ACI) in their annual awards contest. The State Symbol Nature Trail at the New York State Fair took first place in the "Big Ideas, Small Budgets" category. DEC Commissioner Erin Crotty said, "Many of the country's most respected environmental organizations participated in this contest, and we are honored to receive this award."
Association for Conservation Information
DEC received this
handsome award
ACI is a nonprofit association of information and education professionals representing state, federal and Canadian agencies and private conservation organizations. ACI's membership consists of the information, education, and public affairs staffs of conservation, park and natural resource agencies. Many private organizations, corporations and individuals with similar functions also belong to ACI. One of the most popular and successful ACI programs is the annual awards contest that recognizes excellence in more than 25 categories.
The awards competition attracts lively participation among members. First-place winners receive awards, and second- and third-place winners in each category receive certificates. Professionals from both the public and private sector evaluate entries in each of the categories. "Big Ideas, Small Budgets" was a new addition this year, recognizing campaigns, events or other efforts that were notable because of their success and their cost effectiveness.
Trail Construction
DEC's nature trail team accepted
the award from ACI
Developed under the leadership of DEC's Division of Public Affairs and Education, the State Symbol Nature Trail was constructed in fewer than eight weeks prior to the 2002 New York State Fair. At the fairgrounds, staff transformed a small area behind DEC's log cabin into a nature trail that is accessible to everyone. Building the trail was a collaborative effort among the divisions of Operations and Public Affairs and Education, the Camp Georgetown Correctional Facility and the Cayuga County SWCD's AmeriCorps Program.
What You Will Find
A mother and daughter read an
interpretive sign along the trail
Using the state's official nature symbols, the trail showcases some of New York's different habitats. Unlike other nature trails where the challenge is to interpret natural features, DEC first had to bring in the features to interpret. Now, as visitors wander along the trail, they can view an Adirondack lean-to, a one-ton garnet, a waterfall, a beaver lodge and wetlands, an open meadow and a saltwater beach. Wayside signs provide information about garnets, brook trout, sugar maples, beavers, bluebirds, ladybugs, bay scallops and wild roses--all state symbols--and eurypterids, the state fossil.
The ladybug garden is one feature
of the nature trail, which is accessible
to people of all abilities
In addition, interpretive signs can be found for the forest preserve, near the fire tower, on the saltwater beach and near the Adirondack lean-to. At each end of the trail, visitors can pick up trading cards that describe most of the state's symbols. Alongside the trail, a picnic table is accessible for people with disabilities.
The State Symbol Nature Trail will be open during the 2004 New York State Fair, which will run from August 26 through September 6 at the fairgrounds in Syracuse.
