Amanda Lefton

Today is opening day for the inland trout fishing season in New York state, and coincidentally, it is April Fool’s Day.

The streams are stocked, and according to Amanda Lefton, newly appointed commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, “While anglers willing to brave the cold can enjoy catch-and-release fishing for inland trout all year, the April 1 opener of the harvest season is still a much-anticipated date in New York. This is the true beginning of a long-awaited spring and a perfect time to get outside and enjoy time along a waterway near you.”

Governor Hochul appointed Lefton on Feb. 24 and said, “As we work to make New York the best place to raise a family, it’s critical to have a team in place with the skills and experience to make that goal a reality.” Lefton succeeds acting interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and formerly Basil Seggos, who served as commissioner from Oct. 2015 through April 2024

Lefton’s commitment to environmental and climate initiatives is inspiring. Her diverse career spans the public and private sectors, including previously serving as the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the Department of the Interior. Under her leadership, BOEM developed and implemented an ambitious federal offshore wind program, creating a new industry of family supporting jobs and generational opportunity. Her collaborative approach brought together various stakeholders to responsibly manage the nation’s critical offshore energy and mineral resources. Prior to her role as BOEM director, Lefton served as the First Assistant Secretary for Energy and Environment for New York, where she led the State’s environmental and climate initiatives, overseeing a portfolio of executive agencies, including the NYSDEC.

She has also worked for The Nature Conservancy in New York as the Deputy Policy Director and climate mitigation lead, the Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United and the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate. Lefton comes to the DEC from RWE, one of the world’s leading players in the offshore wind sector, where she was the Vice President of Offshore Development, U.S. East. Originally from Queens, she grew up on Long Island and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University at Albany. She now resides in the capital region with her wife and stepchildren. Lefton’s background with offshore wind energy has some local conservation groups concerned with the protection status they have taken on keeping windmills out of Lake Erie and wondering if new challenges may be ahead.

Lefton’s new role as an ex-officio member of the New York State Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB) may be a significant step towards involving the public in the decision-making process. The CFAB, established by law, makes recommendations to state agencies on state government plans, policies, and programs affecting fish and wildlife. It reviews the allocations and expenditures of the DEC for fish and wildlife purposes and releases information or reports to the sportsmen/women and the general public regarding the conservation fund and fish and wildlife programs. CFAB consults fish and wildlife interests, also renders annual reports to the DEC Commissioner on fiscal needs, and makes recommendations on how such needs shall be met.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar:

Apr. 1: Opening Day for NYS Inland Trout Season, ENJOY!

Apr. 2-3: NYS Hunter Education, Westfield Fish/Game Club, 5:30PM – 9:30PM, 5831 Ogden Road, Westfield, register online- at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunter-education.

Apr. 5: King of Spring Perch Tournament, Cayuga Lake, heaviest perch, $100 team registration, Info: Drake at Doc’s Tackle, 585-229-2277, email: docdavid@229bass.com. Apr. 6: NYS Hunter Education, Evans Rod/Gun, Angola, 8AM-5PM, register online at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunter-education.

NOTE: Send Calendar info or related outdoor news to forrestfisher35@yahoo.com.