In conjunction with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Cornell Cooperative Extension has a very cool program where you can get pheasant chicks for free.

The Extension's objective is two-fold using this program as a “raise and release” to restock pheasants into the wild and help support and strengthen the natural resources needed by the ring-necked pheasant population throughout the State and raise awareness for this conservation project.

The Ring-Necked Pheasant was released and introduced into the wild on the Wadsworth Estate in Geneseo in 1903 and established this colorful Asian bird into the environment and helped popularize pheasant hunting throughout New York State.

Biologists believe that due to the loss of fallow grassland needed by the pheasants for nesting and brood-raising the pheasant population has declined about 90% since the 1970's, and the DEC has adopted a conservation plan to increase the pheasant population and the pheasant chick distribution program is an integral part of the plan.

In all about 60,000-day-old chicks are available to be raised and then released on public land. Anyone can apply including 4-H members, schools, clubs and community members and it's a great learning opportunity and teaches children responsible behavior in raising the chicks. The DEC has a tutorial video online about the steps and equipment necessary to raise the chicks.

The deadline for ordering chicks is March 20th. The approved applicants will receive the chicks in April, May, or June. For more information contact Barbara Moran, 4-H Animal Science Coordinator at 845-292-6180 or email her at bjm292@cornell.edu.

The Can't Hurt Steel Foundation is looking for volunteers to join them for a cleanup day of the Hickok Brook Multiple Use Recreational Area in Highland. Managed by the DEC, the public space has 1,036 areas, several ponds and many hiking trails and several designated campgrounds.

The area is open year-round and is free of charge, but camping begins as of May 1st and camping permits are required under certain conditions. The Foundation is recruiting volunteers to clean up brush along the hiking trails, and the workday is scheduled for February 15th at 8 a.m.

An individual Volunteer Application needs to be completed for all volunteers before the workday on the 15th. You can get an application at the Town of Highland Town Clerk's Office during their regular business hours or call the Clerk's Office at 845-557-6085.

Valentine's Day is coming up next Friday. In addition to the traditional candy, cards and dinner why not try something different this year and make a donation in your sweetie's name to one of our local not for profit organizations that works to protect our stray and abandoned animals in no-kill shelters, a local food pantry like the one that operates out of St. Anthony's Church in Yulan or a giving a donation to the Sullivan County Coalition for the Homeless to help them to continue to provide services.

This kind of local philanthropy has any donation money going a long way into making a difference in our community. Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Only 31 days until the first day of Spring!