<p>&nbsp;The Danbury Hat Tricks announced their playoff roster yesterday ahead of Game One of a best-of-three Empire Division Semifinal series against the Motor City Rockers.&nbsp;</p><p>Game 1 is today at 7:30pm at the Danbury Ice Arena. Games Two and Three (if necessary) will be played at Big Boy Arena in Fraser, Michigan on Saturday, April 20 (7:35 p.m) and Sunday, April 21 (5:05 p.m.).</p><p><strong>Skaters:</strong></p><p>2 - Charlie Bedard, 3 - Jacob Ratcliffe, 4 - Jarod Yau, 5 - Josh Labelle, 6 - Xavier Abdella, 7 - Kyle Gonzalez, 10 - Michael Falanga, 11 - William Berry (Developmental), 12 - Connor Woolley, 15 - Chase Harwell, 16 - Brandon Stojcevski, 17 - Corey Cunningham, 18 - Nick DiNicola, 19 - Jonny Ruiz, 20 - Jhuwon Davis (Developmental), 22 - Daniel McKitrick, 23 - Bohdan Zinchenko, 43 - Dustin Henning, 44 - Steve Brown, 55 - Zachary Pamaylaon, 81 - Kolby Johnson (Developmental)</p><p><strong>Goaltenders:</strong></p><p>29 - Conor McCollum, 31 - Talor Joseph</p><p>28 Riley Robertson and 30 Anthony LoRusso did not play enough regular season games to qualify for the playoffs. Brandon Daigle, Artem Dubinin, Yauhen Farafontau, Denis Gafarov, and Brendan Sheehan were waived after not appearing in a game with the Hat Tricks during the 2023-24 season.&nbsp;</p><p>The Hat Tricks are in the playoffs and we want you to be a part of our cup defense! Playoff tickets are on sale now! Secure a comprehensive playoff ticket package for just $66 or go game-by-game with our single-game ticket option! Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.danburyhattricks.com/news/2024-single-game-playoff-tickets-available" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(220, 161, 13);"><strong>here</strong></a>&nbsp;for more information or call Herm Sorcher at (973) 713-7547 to secure your tickets today! Don't miss the excitement of the playoffs—get your tickets now and join us in supporting the Danbury Hat Tricks!</p><p>To stay up to date on all things Danbury Hat Tricks hockey, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.danburyhattricks.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(220, 161, 13);"><strong>www.danburyhattricks.com.</strong></a>Hat Tricks A</p>

<p><strong><em>Sign Up Now For </em>Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust’s (CVRLT) “<em>Saturday's Hike to Our Newest Danbury Preserve!”</em></strong></p><p><strong>Celebrate Earth Day on Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust’s beautiful Roy Preserve!</strong></p><p><strong><em>Meet at 10am, Saturday, April 20th, at 1 Deal Drive in Danbury. Park along the street.&nbsp;</em>Led by CVRLT Board Member Cheryl Rykowski, we'll hike approximately 2 miles on the Ives Trail via the Old Post Road, to CVRLT's newest acquisition, the Roy Preserve. We'll loop the property (about a mile) and then hike back. The entire hike should take about 3 hrs. +/-, depending on weather and stops to bird watch and have snacks.</strong></p><p><strong><em>This is an easy to moderate hike over mostly flat, but rocky nd possibly wet ground.&nbsp;</em>Please wear appropriate hiking shoes and bring water and snacks or lunch. Sign-up in advance is required. We will hike in a light mist but if weather is truly bad, we will cancel and alert all who have signed up&nbsp;via email.&nbsp;Please check your email the night before and the morning of the hike. We hope you'll join us!</strong></p><p><a href="https://wbamkttab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001u51lOssYFXas7d019odpuDStEKkDnYaFkEbyndUfvGyiRn5M0aB84GK1F5ufj5CmhMYqzc1YDX8syt8VHjzdYDWmyqk-HJplykE-FdIwjr-PWrM2jwKYxXuNMogHCvwhUZEllOHmypoJULSOp4jsNDHM41d1crt12hHyvzDtBuv0-oilM24Z4XJeuj5KmEsAk3PVcotBV6SX0o0BMVMlsU9I8rTcD_vr45t9Cdub0s7eUm9nppOZ17vWZ1CUjrD4hJ0-U4jKeAGOTaEuwrll_w==&amp;c=0dMOypd4L2WvOK_0xJAdcUN8_Ip7ndVRcwq8uS6mADGZyAXxO0LauA==&amp;ch=hwxbRVweNfJyi88R7iwiTF0HAmDUSjqR4OlFQPC2kz4ssAS64yYqcA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sign Up for Guided Hike to CVRLT's New Roy Preserve</strong></a></p><p><strong>You can find Candlewood Valley Regional Land Trust on&nbsp;<em>Facebook,&nbsp;Instagram, Pinterest&nbsp;</em>and our website at&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.candlewoodvalleyrlt.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(220, 161, 13);"><strong><em>www.candlewoodvalleyrlt.org.</em></strong></a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(220, 161, 13);"><em>(Photo provided by CVRLT digital newsletter)</em></strong></p>

<p>New York has 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,000 lakes and ponds, 2.4 million acres of wetlands and extensive aquifers. These abundant resources need our protection to remain clean. Human activities leave behind materials like pesticides, pet waste, trash and even loose soil that can wash into our waters and pollute them. Even where you don't see a stream or lake, streets, roadside ditches and underground storm sewers carry polluted runoff into the closest waterbody. The good news is that your positive actions can do much to protect New York's waters.</p><ul><li><strong>Return used motor oil for recycling</strong></li><li>Never pour oil onto the street or down a storm drain. It'll wash, untreated, into the nearest waterbody. Most New York service stations accept used oil. Some municipalities also collect used oil as part of a community household hazardous waste collection.</li><li><strong>Use a commercial car wash</strong></li><li>Or wash your car on the lawn to keep dirty, soapy water from flowing into storm drains and eventually into your local streams and lakes.</li><li><strong>Sweep sidewalks and driveways</strong></li><li>Hosing yard debris off hard surfaces just washes it into storm drains.&nbsp;<a href="https://dec.ny.gov/chemical/8799.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 77, 209);">Compost yard waste</a>&nbsp;instead.</li><li><strong>Fight mud</strong></li><li>Cover areas of bare soil with mulch, or plant grass or ground covers to keep rain from washing soil into storm drains, ditches, streams and lakes. Fine soil particles, or sediment, can suffocate fish and destroy their habitat.</li><li><strong>Avoid using lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus</strong></li><li>Test your lawn first to see if it needs phosphorus. Phosphorus that is not needed by turf grass is often carried by rain into nearby waterbodies where it can cause serious environmental problems. The new&nbsp;<a href="https://dec.ny.gov/chemical/67239.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 77, 209);">Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law</a>&nbsp;severely restricts or prohibits the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers.</li><li><strong>Leave an unmowed buffer next to streams and lakes</strong></li><li>A buffer strip filters the pollutants carried by storm runoff, stops erosion of banks and helps prevent flooding downstream. A buffer of native plants also benefits wildlife and beautifies your backyard.</li><li><strong>Flush responsibly</strong></li><li>Rather than flushing, dispose of cleansers, beauty products, medicine, auto fluids, paint, and lawn care products at a local household hazardous waste facility. Take pharmaceuticals to special collection locations.</li><li><strong>Use the trash, not the drain</strong></li><li>Dispose of excess fats and grease, diapers and personal hygiene products in the garbage can. These materials can clog pipes and cause raw sewage to overflow.</li><li><strong>Block the buzz</strong></li><li>Prevent mosquitoes from breeding by eliminating standing water in old tires and clogged gutters, or use dunks containing the larvacide Bti (a bacteria that targets mosquitoes). Empty and refill kiddie pools and pet water dishes at least once a week. When sitting outside, place multiple citronella candles close by. Protect infants and toddlers with light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and by draping netting over strollers. In spring, mount bat and purple martin houses to encourage these mosquito-eating machines. (Note: A chemical repellant such as DEET may be necessary where mosquito-borne diseases are likely.)</li></ul><h3>Volunteer at Local Watershed Association</h3><p>To find out if there is a watershed association in your town, see "<a href="http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 77, 209);">Surf Your Watershed</a>".</p><p>Here are some of the ways you can become involved:</p><ul><li><strong>Join a Stream Team:</strong>&nbsp;To watch for sources of pollution, illegal dumping, bank erosion and to monitor the condition of the river.</li><li><strong>Participate in a River Clean-up Day:</strong>&nbsp;Watershed associations often need volunteers to help remove the debris that accumulates in the water and along the banks of rivers.</li><li><strong>Water Quality Monitoring:</strong>&nbsp;Information on flow rate, temperature and other variables is collected by volunteers. Individual water samples are taken and brought to labs to be analyzed. This vital information is used to track the overall health of the water bodies.</li></ul><p><strong>Contact for this Page</strong></p><p>DCEE, Bureau of Digital Services</p><p>625 Broadway</p><p>Albany,&nbsp;NY&nbsp;12233</p><p><strong>Phone:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="tel:518-402-8013" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 77, 209);">518-402-8013</a></p><p><a href="mailto:contact@dec.ny.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: rgb(21, 73, 115);">contact@dec.ny.gov</a></p><p>(Photo from NY State Department of Environmental Conservation)</p>

<p>The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the Youth Turkey Hunting Season will take place on Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, for junior hunters ages 12 to 15.&nbsp;The regular spring turkey season for all licensed turkey hunters opens May 1 in Upstate New York north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary and in Suffolk County on Long Island.</p><p>“Youth turkey hunting season provides an excellent opportunity for experienced adults to mentor young hunters to promote safe and ethical hunting practices, while enjoying time together outdoors and connecting with nature,”&nbsp;<strong>DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said.</strong>&nbsp;"As hunters take to the field this spring to enjoy the many&nbsp;turkey hunting opportunities throughout New York State, DEC reminds everyone to hunt safe and hunt smart by following the guidelines to support hunter safety."</p><p>To participate in the youth turkey hunt, both the junior hunter and their adult mentor must have a hunting license and turkey permit. Each youth hunter can harvest one bearded bird during the two-day hunt.&nbsp;For eligibility requirements and more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwMCIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDk1MDU5NTMwMCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvdGhpbmdzLXRvLWRvL2h1bnRpbmcvdHVya2V5L3lvdXRoLWh1bnQtZm9yLXdpbGQtdHVya2V5IiwiZW1haWwiOiJicmV3c3RlckBoYW1sZXRodWIuY29tIn0.JZhhQ-akRUmIJJu3-h7cUDb56ZGxlV_SgzfxMSxQ6Xw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">DEC’s website</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Overall, spring turkey harvest in New York averages approximately 16,000 to 18,000 birds but varies based on the number of participants and turkey productivity in the previous few springs. This spring, DEC expects improved turkey harvest compared to last year. Hunters prefer to take toms (two+ year-old birds), so typically there is a two-year lag between summer productivity and spring take. Overall, New York turkey populations are lower currently than in the early 2000s but are generally stable throughout the state.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Spring Turkey Harvest Data Dashboard</strong></p><p>In both the spring and fall, DEC uses extensive hunter surveys to reliably estimate turkey harvest.&nbsp;Data from these surveys help biologists understand trends in populations around the state and are used to help guide management.&nbsp;DEC recently released a new interactive online dashboard for the public to explore historic spring turkey harvest.&nbsp;The dashboard allows hunters to select Wildlife Management Unit aggregates near where they hunt or where they are considering hunting to understand trends in turkey harvest success.&nbsp;For more information or to explore the data, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwMSIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDk1MDU5NTMwMSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvdGhpbmdzLXRvLWRvL2h1bnRpbmcvdHVya2V5L3R1cmtleS1oYXJ2ZXN0LW1hbmFnZW1lbnQiLCJlbWFpbCI6ImJyZXdzdGVyQGhhbWxldGh1Yi5jb20ifQ.QO3ZjN9F0sOBAMMIp2QKsDi9dCKDIFTydYgCNtW1Ih4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">DEC’s website</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Other Important Details for the Spring Turkey Season, May 1-31, 2024</strong></p><ul><li>Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Nassau County.</li><li>Hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to a hunting license.</li><li>Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day.</li><li>Hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day and no more than one bird per season in Wildlife Management Unit 1C (Suffolk County).</li><li>Hunters may not use rifles or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 9, or with a bow or crossbow. Crossbows may not be used in Westchester or Suffolk counties.</li><li>Successful hunters must fill out the tag that comes with a turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested.</li><li>Successful hunters must report harvests within seven days of taking a bird. Report harvests online at DEC's&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwMiIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDgyMjk1MTc0NiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvdGhpbmdzLXRvLWRvL2h1bnRpbmcvcmVwb3J0LXlvdXItaGFydmVzdCIsImVtYWlsIjoiYnJld3N0ZXJAaGFtbGV0aHViLmNvbSJ9.Fr0rUsTYwwtE4gyK4WS0sJJGZaBji2b0l0huvh9aKCI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">Game Harvest Reporting website</a>&nbsp;or call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT).</li></ul><p>For more information about turkey hunting in New York, see the 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide or visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwMyIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDk1MDU5NTMwMiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvdGhpbmdzLXRvLWRvL2h1bnRpbmcvdHVya2V5IiwiZW1haWwiOiJicmV3c3RlckBoYW1sZXRodWIuY29tIn0.cDeAz9qDKvlH1iURBacqTCz7eAxyvfRXQmkAOfQYRdY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">Turkey Hunting</a>&nbsp;pages of DEC's website.</p><p><strong>Tips for a Successful and Safe Turkey Hunting Season</strong></p><ul><li>Don't stalk. More than half of turkey hunting injuries happen when a hunter stalks another.</li><li>Wear hunter orange when going in or out of the woods and when walking around.</li><li>When sitting still waiting for a turkey, put hunter orange on a nearby tree.</li><li>When calling, sit still with against a tree to break-up any silhouette.</li><li>Wrap any takes or decoys in hunter orange.</li><li>Never wear turkey colors – red, white, or blue.</li><li>Always assume any call or footsteps are from another hunter. Don't shoot until the whole turkey can be observed and its sex identified.</li><li>When encountering another hunter, speak clearly and don't move. Never wave or use a turkey call to alert another hunter.</li><li>Turkeys are tough, and 30 yards or less is the best distance for a clear head or neck shot. Do not try to shoot turkeys in the body or while they are flying.</li><li>Smaller shot, no. 4, 5, and 6, work better than larger shot, due to denser shot patterns.&nbsp;New shotshell technologies allow for shot sizes as small as 8 and 9 to be effective for turkeys.&nbsp;Do research and pattern shotguns to learn what works for each setup.</li></ul><p><strong>Buy Sporting Licenses Online</strong></p><p><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwNCIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMjc2Nzc4NzUyOCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlY2Fscy5lYXN0LmxpY2Vuc2luZy5hcHAvIiwiZW1haWwiOiJicmV3c3RlckBoYW1sZXRodWIuY29tIn0.ZFWtQuHat6lyyKOdZcIrYu6gal03_P0aM8NEfPFN-fE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">Sporting licenses may be purchased online at any time</a>, and anglers may use privileges immediately by simply carrying a DEC ID# with them while afield. Anglers, hunters, and trappers may also use the HuntFishNY mobile app to display an electronic copy of a license.&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwNSIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDc3Njk1NDgyOSIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvZ2V0LWludm9sdmVkL2h1bnRmaXNobnktbW9iaWxlLWFwcCIsImVtYWlsIjoiYnJld3N0ZXJAaGFtbGV0aHViLmNvbSJ9.Dz3RRgjS6cCvmsyyhGo48yrMItHGXLAYL2QHCLTNCMg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">The HuntFishNY app is available for download</a>&nbsp;through the Apple App or Google Play stores. If purchasing any type of hunting license, permit or privilege online or over the phone, allow up to 14 business days to receive back tag, carcass tags, and license via mail.&nbsp;</p><p>Sporting licenses can also be purchased in-person at over 1,100 License Issuing Agents (LIAs) throughout the state. LIAs will print license and tags immediately upon purchase. To locate a LIA, use the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwNiIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiMjc2NzU5NzExNyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlY2Fscy5lYXN0LmxpY2Vuc2luZy5hcHAvdmVuZG9yX2xvY2F0aW9uX3NlYXJjaCIsImVtYWlsIjoiYnJld3N0ZXJAaGFtbGV0aHViLmNvbSJ9.PQSevnTVU_DIljQqhNfdHzcvb3xm3gFBaT2NxbiBSUI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">Vendor Locations search tool</a>&nbsp;on the DEC’s sporting license sales website. For more information about sporting licenses, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwNyIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDQxMzY4NDA3NCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvIiwiZW1haWwiOiJicmV3c3RlckBoYW1sZXRodWIuY29tIn0.k8DmCSEpKno8DWfpZvMefNhEO06F_VERWvhhFVGCgFc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">DEC’s website</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Earlier this year,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjEwOCIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDk1MDU5NTMwMyIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvbmV3cy9wcmVzcy1yZWxlYXNlcy8yMDI0LzIvZGVjLWFubm91bmNlcy1jaGFuZ2VzLXRvLXNwb3J0aW5nLWxpY2Vuc2UtZnVsZmlsbG1lbnQtYmVnaW5uaW5nLWF1Zy0xIiwiZW1haWwiOiJicmV3c3RlckBoYW1sZXRodWIuY29tIn0.NvJv9MGf_KpKsZk1EHlrcO9hYyrhatrFKJE1gjdngG4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">DEC announced the transition to paper tags and sporting licenses</a>&nbsp;for the 2024-25 license year that begins Aug. 1, 2024.&nbsp;<strong>The change to plain paper does not apply to the spring 2024 turkey season; please allow ample time to receive your backtag and carcass tags if buying a license online or over the phone.</strong></p><p><strong>Citizen Science Opportunity: DEC Seeks Turkey Hunters for Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey</strong></p><p>Turkey hunters can record the number of ruffed grouse heard drumming while afield to help DEC track the distribution and abundance of this game bird. To get a survey form, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjExMCIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDk1MDU5NTMwNCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvbmF0dXJlL2FuaW1hbHMtZmlzaC1wbGFudHMvYmlvZGl2ZXJzaXR5LXNwZWNpZXMtY29uc2VydmF0aW9uL2NpdGl6ZW4tc2NpZW5jZS9ydWZmZWQtZ3JvdXNlLWRydW1taW5nLXN1cnZleSIsImVtYWlsIjoiYnJld3N0ZXJAaGFtbGV0aHViLmNvbSJ9.xZbs1yoPrXlkWOviYSJIT-30D4K98W_cg5k1FWlBPPY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">DEC's website</a>&nbsp;or call (518) 402-8883. To participate in DEC's Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey or other wildlife surveys, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJzY3JpYmVyX2lkIjoiNjA3ODk1NTgzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5fbGlua19pZCI6IjExMCIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpkaWdlc3QiLCJsaW5rX2lkIjoiNDk1MDU5NTMwNCIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MTguOTM1NDc5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2RlYy5ueS5nb3YvbmF0dXJlL2FuaW1hbHMtZmlzaC1wbGFudHMvYmlvZGl2ZXJzaXR5LXNwZWNpZXMtY29uc2VydmF0aW9uL2NpdGl6ZW4tc2NpZW5jZS9ydWZmZWQtZ3JvdXNlLWRydW1taW5nLXN1cnZleSIsImVtYWlsIjoiYnJld3N0ZXJAaGFtbGV0aHViLmNvbSJ9.xZbs1yoPrXlkWOviYSJIT-30D4K98W_cg5k1FWlBPPY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(29, 87, 130);">Citizen Science page of DEC's website</a>.</p><p>(Photo from Pexels)</p>

<p><strong>The White Silo Farm &amp; Winery is hosting their 5</strong>^{<strong>th</strong>}<strong>&nbsp;annual Ramp Festival April 20</strong>^{<strong>th</strong>}<strong>.&nbsp;</strong><strong style="color: rgb(38, 44, 49);">The cost is $28 PP, 2 sessions (1:00-2:30 PM or 3:00-4:30 PM) and includes three items made with wild ramps and one dessert item.</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong><strong style="color: rgb(38, 44, 49);">Menu - Spring micro salad with Sweet Ramp Dressing, Semolina Gnocchi with Ramp Butter and Fontina Cheese, Ramp and Roasted Cherry Tomato Focaccia and a Shortcake Biscuit with Strawberries and Whipped Cream</strong><strong style="color: rgb(64, 63, 66);">. Live music with Maximilian Patel from1 - 4:30 PM. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. This is a pet and child friendly event. Free tours of the winery and vineyard.</strong></p><p><strong>Reservations are limited and can be made on the&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://whitesilowinery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>whitesilowinery.com</strong></a><strong>&nbsp;website.</strong></p><p class="ql-align-center"><em style="color: red;"><u>White Silo Farm &amp; Winery</u></em></p><p class="ql-align-center"><em>32 RT 37 East&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sherman, CT 06784</em></p><p class="ql-align-center"><em>860 355 0271</em></p><p class="ql-align-center"><a href="http://www.whitesilowinery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><em>www.whitesilowinery.com</em></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Matthew Viglucci, New Fairfield, CT, </strong>was one of 206 SUNY Oneonta students recognized for academic excellence during the 2023-2024 Susan Sutton Smith event on Tuesday, April 9. The Susan Sutton Smith awards are given each spring to first-year students, sophomores and juniors who have earned a grade-point average of 3.9 or higher on a 4.0 scale.</p><p>Viglucci is majoring in Music Industry at SUNY Oneonta.</p><p>The on-campus event also featured the annual Susan Sutton Smith Lecture, delivered this year by Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Kiyoko Yokota. Dr. Yokota received the faculty Susan Sutton Smith Award, and her lecture was titled "Clean but Green - the Paradox of the Oligotrophic Cyanobacterial Blooms."</p><p>Two additional faculty members were recognized at the event. Adjunct Associate Professor of Theatre Carmela Marner received the university's annual Simphiwe Hilatshwayo Award for Outstanding Part-Time Instructor. Assistant Professor of Law Dr. Sean Shannon received the Innovative Pedagogy Award.</p><p>This lecture and the awards for academic excellence are made possible by the generous gifts of SUNY Oneonta alumni to the Fund for Oneonta. The Susan Sutton Smith Faculty Prize for Academic Excellence is made possible by an endowment created through the generosity of Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Mary Smith in memory of their daughter, Susan, in honor of her commitment to academic excellence.</p><p>SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year university in Central New York, enrolling about 5,500 students in a wide variety of bachelor's degree programs and more than a dozen graduate certificate and degree programs. The university is known as both an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, and a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://suny.oneonta.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://suny.oneonta.edu/</a></p>