Forest Health

Forest Protection programs include the protected native plants program and forest health. Photograph of Keene Valley

The protected native plants regulations (6 NYCRR 193.3) make it unlawful to pick or destroy listed plants. Among these listed plants there are four categories: endangered, threatened, rare, and exploitably vulnerable. The list was revised in 2000 to reflect the most recent knowledge about the status of plant species.

Another plant program is the American Ginseng regulations (6 NYCRR 193.4-193.8). These regulations establish a harvest season, conservation practices, certification of ginseng for export and ginseng unsold at the end of the harvest season, and permits dealers. Dealers include individuals that export ginseng from New York State, buy and resell ginseng in the state, or that live outside the State and buy New York grown ginseng.

A third component of the plants program is the application of US Fish and Wildlife Service grants for the study of plants listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act. This program is authorized through a Limited Authorities Agreement between the DEC and USFWS.

Cooperative Forest Health Protection and Forest Health Monitoring grants are received annually from the USDA Forest Service to survey and report forest health conditions, and to make forest health recommendations. DEC, through its regional forestry staff and central office staff conduct surveys following protocols developed and applied by New England States, New York, and USDA for priority insects and diseases. Additionally, special funding is obtained for studies conducted by DEC and contractors, including Cornell University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Furthermore, additional funding is provided through state and federal appropriations for studies and recovery relating to storm damages.

The Section has long been the repository of historic forest health records maintained electronically. Much of the work of the Section involves cooperative efforts among many organizations involved in quarantines, invasive exotic plants, dust palliatives, natural resource conservation education, state fair exhibits, utility right-of-way as it pertains to impacts on rare plants, and support of other DEC units such as State Forests on identification and management of destructive pests.

More about Forest Health:

Cooperative Forest Health Protection - This program utilizes Federal grant funding to monitor and control forest insects and diseases in New York state.
Forest Health Monitoring Program - The Forest Health Monitoring Program collects information about the forest ecosystem to assist state and federal natural resource professionals in policy and decision-making.
Forest Health Aerial Survey Program - Each year DEC and the NYS Police Aviation Unit conduct a two-month aerial survey of the State's forests to detect possible threats by insects, diseases, human activity and major weather events.