Contact:
 
Dave White, New York Sea Grant, Recreation and Tourism Specialist, P: 315-312- 3042, E: dgw9@cornell.edu

Syracuse, NY, November 18, 2020 - The winter months can bring about a lot of opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and with so much still unknown regarding COVID-19, experts predict that more than ever, Central New Yorkers will explore the beautiful parks, ponds lakes and outdoor adventures this upcoming winter season.

Staying safe regardless of where you are is key and, as NYSG's Coastal Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White discussed on the "Bridge Street" morning show, all residents should be extra vigilant with their own outdoor safety this year.

Snowmobilers and ice anglers are strangely encouraged to dress appropriately in warm and water safe attire. New York State also reminds everyone that it’s the law to sport a personal flotation device for all those on the water through May 2021. 

Winter outdoor enthusiasts can avoid and even slow hypothermia, by wearing a life float and checking for ice thickness when they’re on the ice. And finally regardless of the outdoor experiences, it’s important to note that we’re all still living in the midst of a pandemic and safe social distance guidelines are in place.

NYSG's White frequently appears as a boating safety specialist on "Bridge Street," a locally-produced daily talk show of News Channel 9 WSYR-TV, the ABC affiliate covering Syracuse and Central New York.

White's NYSG "Boating and Marine Trades" content can be found at www.nyseagrant.org/marina. He also has information on Great Lakes shipwrecks at www.nyseagrant.org/shipwreck.

More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York (SUNY), is one of 34 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program.

Since 1971, NYSG has represented a statewide network of integrated research, education and extension services promoting coastal community economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness and understanding about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources.

Through NYSG’s efforts, the combined talents of university scientists and extension specialists help develop and transfer science-based information to many coastal user groups—businesses and industries, federal, state and local government decision-makers and agency managers, educators, the media and the interested public.

The program maintains Great Lakes offices at Cornell University, University at Buffalo, SUNY Oswego and the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office in Newark. In the State's marine waters, NYSG has offices at Stony Brook University in Long Island, Brooklyn College and Cornell Cooperative Extension in NYC and Kingston in the Hudson Valley.

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube links. NYSG offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/nycoastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published quarterly. Our program also produces an occasional e-newsletter,"NOAA Sea Grant's Social Media Review," via its blog, www.nyseagrant.org/blog.