Town of Ithaca Conservation Board

10/28/2026

From NYSDEC: Draft Finger Lakes Action Agenda 2026-2033 Available for Comment
DEC has announced the availability of the Draft Finger Lakes Action Agenda (FLAA) 2026–2033 for public comment.

The FLAA is the first comprehensive regional strategic plan developed for the 11 Finger Lakes and their watersheds. The Finger Lakes’ combined watersheds encompass approximately 4,600 square miles across 12 counties in central and western New York. The plan was developed collaboratively by DEC’s Finger Lakes Watershed Program in partnership with a steering committee of state and federal agencies, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and community partners.

Find more information, including where to send comments at: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/waterbodies/watersheds/management/great-lakes/finger-lakes-watershed

10/26/2026

From NYSDEC: State Wildlife Action Plan Revised for 2025-2035

The final revised State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) for 2025-2035 is now available! https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/biodiversity-species-conservation/state-wildlife-action-plan The SWAP serves as New York State’s guiding document for managing and conserving Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and habitats before they become too rare or costly to restore.

SGCN are species native to and extant (present) in New York that are currently experiencing threats likely to result in further decline of their populations in the state if conservation actions are not implemented within the next 10 years. The SWAP is not just something DEC refers to in our work planning. It is intended to be used by conservation organizations, researchers, universities, municipalities, landowners, and all wildlife advocates interested in contributing to the conservation and management of rare or declining species in New York.

10/21/2026

From NYSDEC: Leave the Leaves

Consider leaving the leaves this fall! Many beneficial insects—including bees, butterflies, and lightning bugs—and amphibians spend the winter sheltered under leaf litter. Some insects even use leaves to create their cocoons, such as the luna moth, and many native bees spend the winter nestled inside plant stems. To provide a home for native species and attract birds and other wildlife to your yard:

- avoid mulching leaves where possible or mulch the leaves in the center of your lawn to promote lawn health and keep leaves whole along the edges for insects and amphibians;
- wait until next spring after the threat of frost is past to cut or remove dead flower and plant stems;
- leave rocks and logs to create habitat for frogs and salamanders; and
- consider raking leaves into areas near trees (but not against the bark), into garden beds for winter cover, or into a designated leaf pile on your property.

Learn more about why to leave the leaves and how to improve habitat for insects and other invertebrates in your backyard or community:

Think twice before you rake, mow, and blow this year. Invertebrates rely on fallen leaves and other organic debris to cover and insulate them from the elements. Whatever your landscape, you can ensure that resources for nests and overwintering habitat are available.

10/15/2026

10/05/2026

From NYSDEC: Arbor Day Poster Contest—Now Open!

Celebrate the beauty of New York State’s trees by participating in DEC’s annual Arbor Day Poster Contest! Submit your original photography or artwork to be considered for the 2027 New York State Arbor Day Poster. DEC prints thousands of posters for distribution to schools, the New York State Fair, libraries, and other venues every year. This year’s theme is “Trees for Vibrant Communities”, and submissions should express the importance of trees in building resilient, healthy, and livable communities.

Learn more about the Arbor Day Poster Contest:

In New York, Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated the last Friday in April. However, communities around the state can celebrate Arbor Day any day of the year.

10/02/2026

From NYSDEC: Help Protect New York’s Forests from Invasive Species and Wildfires During National Firewood Month

With chillier days on the horizon and fall activities in full swing, October is the perfect month to celebrate National Firewood Month. https://www.dontmovefirewood.org/firewood-month/ Before you build a bonfire under the stars with friends and family, roast marshmallows over the campfire, or cozy up next to your woodburning stove on a crisp fall day, it is important to know how to safely and responsibly use firewood.

Help stop invasive pests and diseases from hitching a ride to a new area by following these quick tips from the New York State firewood regulation:

- Untreated firewood may not be imported into New York from any other state or country.
- Untreated, New York-grown firewood must stay within a 50-mile radius of its source of origin.
- If transporting untreated firewood and your destination is within 50 miles, you must fill out a Self-Issued Certificate of Origin.
- If purchasing and transporting untreated firewood, it must have a receipt or label that identifies the firewood source; hold onto your receipt until all the firewood is burned.
- Heat-treated firewood can be transported anywhere in New York, but it must have a receipt or label that says, “New York Approved Heat-Treated Firewood/Pest-Free”, meaning it has been heated to 71° C (160° F) for 75 minutes. https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/invasive-species/terrestrial/firewood

Help protect New York State’s forests by following these quick tips about fire safety:

- Check the fire danger map to make sure it's safe to have a fire where you are and avoid burning on windy days.
- Use existing campfire rings when possible.
- Clear away any burnable material in a 10-foot diameter circle around your campfire.
- Campfires must be less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in diameter.
- Be sure your match is out. Hold it until it is cold.
- Never leave a campfire unattended. Always keep water and hand tools nearby to control the fire, if necessary.
- Drown the fire with water, stir the remains, and repeat. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks as there may be burning embers underneath. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/camping/fire-safety

October is Firewood Month! Moving firewood long distances can spread invasive forest pests hidden in or on the wood. Your firewood choices matter, and you

09/10/2026

From NYSDEC: September's Living the Green Life - Sustainable Pet Care

Have a pet in your family? Whether it is a dog, cat, rabbit, fish or other animal, you will want to check out September's Living the Green Life webpage ( https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/living-green ). We've got tips for sustainable pet care -- from food choices, to toys, to bedding and more. Learn steps to care for pets and our environment as we all strive to keep Living the Green Life.

Tips on actions you can take to be a friend of the environment.

08/27/2026

National Conservation Design Expert Randall Arendt to Speak in Ithaca

Free Public Event Explores How Communities Can Preserve Rural Character While Accommodating Growth

Community leaders, planning professionals, elected officials, developers, and residents are invited to attend "Rural by Design: Requiring Open Space in New Development," a free public event featuring nationally recognized land planning expert Randall Arendt on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center.

Registration is open until September 18th at the following link: https://lfweb.townithacany.gov/Forms/ClusterSubTraining

08/13/2026

Town of Ithaca Homeowners, Own Your Power! On August 20 at 6:00 PM, Tompkins Green Energy Network is holding a meeting to explain how homeowners are eligible to become owners of onsite and neighborhood-based renewable energy systems.

When: Thursday, August 20th at 6:00PM
Where: Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room (101 E. Green Street) and virtual (Zoom)
Zoom registration link: https://cityofithaca-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/CoUIjBGkQeibCP3135NRSQ

08/03/2026

Native Plant Garden Tour
1-4 pm, Sunday, August 30
Northside & Fall Creek Area
https://ccetompkins.org/events/2026/08/30/native-plant-garden-tour-1

Sponsored by Tompkins Pollinator Pathways and CCE Tompkins Master Gardeners' Native Plant committee, a mix of public and private gardens in the downtown northside and Fall Creek areas will be open for viewing. Come see how native plants are being incorporated into gardens that serve both aesthetic and environmental interests. Our urban environments, from parks or natural lands to small spaces like backyards and flower boxes, can all be a part of a pollinator pathway.

Come meet the gardeners and their gardens, get inspired to grow more native plants, start thinking more about gardening with a purpose and creating gardens that not only surround us with beauty but also help support our native insects and birds.

The tour will be held rain or shine. It starts at the Cooperative Extension office at 615 Willow Ave (where you can pick up a map) and the entire route is just over 2 miles so you can walk, bike, or drive. No registration required.

This event is free, however, donations help us keep future programming costs low for our community - https://ccetompkins.wufoo.com/forms/m1j8gq0509iu0z3/

Sponsored by Tompkins Pollinator Pathways and CCE Tompkins Master Gardeners' Native Plant committee, a mix of public and private gardens in the downtown northside and Fall Creek areas will be open for viewing. Come see how native plants are being incorporated into gardens that serve both aestheti...