DIVISION NEWS...
A Quick Snapshot of the Latest Important Information from Our Divisions
Land Use and Planning
Land use development projects under environmental review by the Land Use and Planning division include Core Preservation Area and Compatible Growth Area waivers, interagency referrals, inquiries and requests for determination of jurisdiction. Applications include site plan and subdivision development projects. Current activities including a mixed use residential and commercial development project called Meadows at Artist Lake in Middle Island, utility infrastructure work for storm resiliency, requests to remove trees impacted by Southern Pine Beetle, and other site plan and subdivision development projects.
Science and Stewardship
Planning for the spring 2027 prescribed fire season and staffing is underway.
The Science and Stewardship division is focused on deploying its advanced wildlife and vegetation monitoring equipment and managing the prescribed fire program to support NYSDEC's efforts to reduce the risk of wildfire and improve forest health within the Central Pine Barrens. Science and Stewardship staff will be monitoring the forest response at both the wildfire areas as well as those managed with prescribed fire throughout the season.
The S&S Division is also managing a U.S. Forest Service Grant to develop the Southampton Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). See the CWPP project page on this website for more information. A public outreach event is planned for October 29, 2026 at Westhampton Beach Fire Department.
Compliance and Enforcement
The Compliance and Enforcement division works closely with other law enforcement partners to bolster efforts to deter illegal dumping in the Central Pine Barrens, encouraging residents to report polluters and urging lawmakers to increase penalties for illegal dumping.
Arrests, fines and violations continue in the Central Pine Barrens. The division plays a pivotal role in coordinating and resolving enforcement matters pertaining to the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, helping to protect the vast ecological resources of the Central Pine Barrens. Please contact this office to report illegal dumping and other unauthorized activities in the Central Pine Barrens.
Educational Outreach and Communications
Another amazing Barrens to Bay Summer Camp has wrapped up! The six weeklong camp sessions that began in late June and extended through mid-August were completely full and jam-packed with all sorts of fun activities, including seining the Carmans River, trail walks, crafts, games, visits from Central Pine Barrens animals and so much more! We can’t wait till next year.But since it’s fall, it’s time for the A Day in the Life program, under which dozens of schools from East Rockaway to East Hampton spend fall Fridays conducting student science on 14 Long Island rivers, bays, estuaries, creeks and other bodies of water. The program helps to connect students to the thriving ecological habitats right in their backyards.
The division is pleased to have also brought Central Pine Barrens Discovery Day back to the calendar! Hundreds of visitors came out to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge to experience a full day of nature-oriented activities. We look forward to making next year’s even bigger and better.
Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse
It’s been a busy 2026 so far for the Pine Barrens Credit Clearinghouse.
Conservation easements, letters of interpretation and easement monitoring continues.
New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy
The New York Wildfire and Incident Management Academy (NYWIMA) has for nearly two decades been a vital training ground for those who dedicate themselves to protecting our communities, our forests and our natural resources.
See the NYWIMA page of this website for more information and for the registration brochure.
2026 Academies in November and December
November Academy: November 14 to 20, 2026
The November 14 to 20 Fall Academy will be held at Suffolk County Community College’s Eastern Campus in Riverhead. This new partnership provides NYWIMA with classroom, meeting, and field-training space to support a variety of wildfire, emergency management, and incident management courses.
The 2026 Fall Academy is scheduled to offer the following courses:
- FI-210_Wildland Fire Origin & Cause Determination
- RX-310_Introduction to Fire Effects
- S-130/190_Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (Field Day Only)
- S-131_Firefighter Type 1
- S-200_Initial Attack Incident Commander
- S-215_Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface
- S-219_Firing Operations
- S-230_Crew Boss (Blended)
- S-290_Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)
- S-359_Medical Unit Leader
- RX-410_Smoke Management Techniques
- Additional incident management and specialized training opportunities as scheduling and instructor availability are finalized.
NYWIMA is continuing to work with federal, state, county, local, and other partner organizations to finalize instructors and course logistics.
December Academy – December 5 to 11, 2026
A second Academy session is scheduled for December 5 to 11, 2026, at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL).
The December session will focus on courses that are particularly well suited to BNL’s facilities and field-training opportunities. Current plans include:
- S-112_Wildland Fire Chainsaws
- S-244_Field Observer
- S-130/190_Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (Field Day Only)
- S-236_Heavy Equipment Boss (Single Resource)
- Additional courses may be added based on instructor availability and partner-agency needs.
Check out the NYWIMA page for the latest schedule and brochure.
Click here to go to the Public Information/Document Library category 'Past and Current Division Reports'
Video: Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act at 30 years
This video celebrates the history of this significant achievement to protect water and ecological resources in the Central Pine Barrens
Archive: Press Releases and Media Coverage
