Community Corner

There's Still Time To Help The DEC Choose Its New Cover Model

Like an episode of "Next Top Model," the agency wants your help choosing the native species to grace the newest Habitat & Access Stamp.

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HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The New York Sate Department of Environmental Conservation has an embarrassment of riches when it come to cover model candidates and the agency wants your help picking its next "Top Model."

The DEC is leaving the decision regarding which species will be featured on the 2024–25 Habitat & Access Stamp up to us. The agency has narrowed down the finalists to brook trout, the North American porcupine, the common raven, or the eastern hellbender. The survey closes on May 5, and the winning species will be announced days later.

You can place your vote here. Like the man on television says, "standard text message and data rates apply."

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The agency has even helpfully provided a short bio of each of the native New Yorkers to help the public make an informed decision.

NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE: A large quill-covered rodent, the porcupine is second in size only to the North American beaver. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines do not actually “shoot” their quills when they feel threatened. Their quills are so lightly attached that they easily come off when they encounter a predator. A baby porcupine is called a porcupette and there is generally only one per litter. Porcupines are great climbers and swimmers too! (NYSDEC)
COMMON RAVEN: Ravens look very similar to crows, but are quite large, nearly as big as red-tailed hawks! They are highly intelligent, powerful, and resourceful. They will make and use tools to get food, and research has shown that they are able to remember the faces of humans that they have had negative interactions with, holding a grudge against their offender and alerting other ravens when that person is nearby. Ravens are extremely playful and communicative. They commonly perform aerial acrobatics and have even been seen flying upside down! (NYSDEC)
EASTERN HELLBENDER: A large, nocturnal, aquatic amphibian. In fact, it’s the largest salamander in North America by weight, reaching up to five pounds and nearly two feet in length! Although they have lungs, they breathe completely through pores in their skin. Inhabiting only two of New York's river drainages, the eastern hellbender is a species of special concern in New York. Water pollution and alterations to rivers and streams likely contributed to the decline in their numbers. The DEC and its partners are working hard to improve habitat conditions for New York’s largest aquatic salamander in hopes of reversing this trend. (NYSDEC)
BROOK TROUT: The state’s official freshwater fish and a species that is emblematic of clean water and a healthy ecosystem. The DEC is completing a plan to manage brook trout in Adirondack ponds to ensure that this iconic species persists as an integral part of our natural heritage and for anglers that enjoy pursuing this beautiful fish.

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