Local man among new forest rangers

Dec. 3—Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced 38 new graduates from the 23rd Basic School for New York State Forest Rangers, including on from Schoharie County.

According to a media release, as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation's Division of Forest Protection, "New York Forest Rangers protect the state's natural resources and communities and stand ready to support states across the country in the face of emergencies like wildfires."

"From rescuing lost or injured hikers to fighting wildfires here in New York and across the nation, our dedicated Forest Rangers regularly put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities," Hochul said. "I applaud this new class of rangers for their hard work in completing an extremely difficult training regimen as they now join the ranks of hundreds of other officers who continue to protect New Yorkers and our treasured natural resources every day."

Aaron D. France of Schoharie was among the graduates.

For the last six months, recruits have undergone training at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry campus in the hamlet of Wanakena and the Huntington Wildlife Forest in the town of Newcomb. The 38 graduates will join the state's forest ranger force for a total of 159.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "I am extremely proud of the individuals who chose to do undertake the rigorous training and hard work to become Forest Rangers and continue the proud tradition first started in the late 1800s to protect New York's environment and the public. I wish these new Rangers nothing but success as they embark on this noble, challenging, and fulfilling career in State service."

Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Forest Protection Director John Solan said, "Patrolling more than five million acres of land across the state, our Forest Rangers are dedicated to ensuring the public can safely enjoy our great outdoors while also protecting the State's precious natural resources. Our Forest Rangers go above and beyond the call of duty here in New York and even assist other states by using their extensive training to help fight wildland fires and other law enforcement agencies to help find missing people or other public service. I am thrilled to have these men and women join our ranks."

Upon graduation, recruits are assigned patrol areas and join the ranks of Forest Rangers currently serving across the state. According to the reease, in 2021, Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers conducted 426 search and rescue missions, extinguished wildfires, participated in prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate hundreds of acres of land and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests. For more information about New York State Forest Rangers, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation's website.