Approximately 35,000 orphaned wells are estimated to exist in New York State, many drilled and abandoned before the existence of DEC or modern environmental regulations. In this episode, hosts DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar talk with Grace Gallagher and Nathan Graber from DEC’s Oil and Gas Compliance Enforcement Section about New York State’s progress to identify, prioritize, and plug abandoned wells. They’ll cover how drone technology helps locate high priority orphaned gas wells leaking methane into the environment and ways DEC engages with New Yorkers to search for abandoned wells on their property.  

Episode Notes:  

About:  

“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast  

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.  

In this episode, hosts DEC Region 4 Director Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza talk with Kaleb Winters, Land Surveyor in DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests. They discuss the history of land surveying and the remarkable and longstanding accuracy of the man who first started surveying the Adirondacks and Catskills back in the 1800s, Verplanck Colvin.

Episode Notes:  

 About:  

“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast    

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.  

With peak spring bird migration season underway, hosts Adriana Espinoza and Sean Mahar talk with DEC wildlife biologists Abby Valachovic and Meghan Oberkircher about the science and biology behind annual migration patterns of more than 450 native bird species, how DEC tracks bird species and protects local habitats across the State, and tips for New Yorkers to protect birds living in their community.

The episode also features Tom Collins, environmental program specialist with DEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, who shares how the New York State Birding Trail is helping New Yorkers “Get Offline and Get Outside” as part of the I BIRD NY Challenge.

About: 

“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”. 

We explore the work of DEC’s organics reduction and recycling experts who oversee statewide food waste management and composting efforts.

Episode Notes: 

Ahead of International Composting Awareness Week, hosts Adriana Espinoza and Sean Mahar talk with experts from DEC’s Division of Materials Management—Kristine Ellsworth, Environmental Engineer, and Miranda Wolf, Environmental Program Specialist—about the State’s investments in growing and supporting the composting industry throughout New York State. The episode also provides information for New Yorkers looking to start composting at home or through programs available in their local community.

About: 

“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice Adriana Espinoza and Region 4 Director Sean Mahar. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”. 

Learn all about moose with Dave Kramer, a Research Scientist in the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Hear about all the ways DEC monitors the moose population in New York State using aerial surveys, GPS tracking, and public sighting reports. You’ll also hear about what to do if you encounter a moose in the wild and a little bit about moose butts.

Episode Notes:

For more information on "DEC Does What?!," visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast 

This Season 4 kick off episode spotlights DEC’s affordable and fun DEC summer camp offerings and the lifelong bonds they help create. DEC’s Summer Camp program attracts 1,400 children each summer to the State’s week-long sleepaway learning experience at four different locations across the state.

Episode Notes:  

For more information on "DEC Does What?!," visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast 

In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica welcome Alan Ilagan, Associate Director Human Resources, and Natalie Joseph, Human Resources Specialist, with DEC’s Division of Human Resources to highlight DEC’s recruiting efforts to fill positions across every region of New York State, open exam announcements for Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers, and how potential candidates can find jobs through the State’s Civil Service system.

Episode Notes:

About:

“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Region 4 Director Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast 

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.

DEC’s first campgrounds—Sacandaga and Sharp Bridge—were established in 1920, and the newest campground, Frontier Town, opened in 2019. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by Campground Program Supervisor Jessica McBride and Conservation Operations Supervisor Andrea Dukett who explain how DEC’s Bureau of Recreation oversees the operations of 55 campgrounds and day use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve visited by an estimated 1.5 million people each year.

Episode Notes:  

About:

“DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast   

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.

Since the 1930s, DEC (then known as New York’s Conservation Department) has participated in events at the New York State Fairgrounds. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by Oneida Fish Hatchery Manager Bill Evans and Public Participation Specialist Emma Antolos to explore how DEC staff from the Divisions of Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife, Law Enforcement, Forest Protection, and Communications, Education, and Engagement promotes outdoor recreational opportunities and environmental conservation efforts across the state.  

Episode Notes:

About: “DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast   

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.

Bats are the world’s only flying mammal and New York State is home to nine different species. In this episode, hosts Sean and Erica are joined by DEC Wildlife Biologists Casey Kennedy and Ashley Meyer with the Division of Fish and Wildlife to explain how DEC’s Bat Diversity Program tracks population changes and distribution of bats throughout the state. Guests also discuss the many benefits bats provide, how New Yorkers can help support and restore bat populations, misconceptions about rabies, and the devastating impact of White Nose Syndrome that causes mass mortality in four of New York’s hibernating bat species.

Episode Notes:

About: “DEC Does What?!” is a bi-weekly podcast that features conversations with DEC experts about the agency’s wide-ranging efforts to protect New Yorkers and the environment. Hosted by DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar and Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald. For more information, visit http://dec.ny.gov/podcast 

Have an idea about a future episode? Want to share your feedback? Send us an email at [email protected] using the subject line “DEC Podcast”.