Wave Hill Weekly Events: Jan 23 – Jan 30 | Lunar New Year & Winter Yoga

 

Our movement keeps us energized and maintains the warmth of our community as we come together in the coldest of times. Despite the chilly weather, Wave Hill is the spot to recharge, reflect, and relax with views of the icy Hudson River and our ever-blossoming plants in the greenhouse. In the evenings, our gardens twinkle with a delicately lit path to help you lead the way! 

 

 

Family Art Project: Fan of Lunar New Year! 

Sat, Jan 25, 10:00AM – 1:00PM 

Sun, Jan 26 10:00AM – 1:00PM   

Free with admission to the grounds  

Registration not required 

Celebrate the start of the Year of the Snake by learning about their role in the Chinese zodiac. Then, assemble and decorate a fan inspired by snakes in nature that call the Bronx home. 

At 11:30am families can enjoy a holiday-inspired story time program in the Gund Theater, all ages welcome. 

 

 

Warming Winter Yoga 

Sun, Jan 26, 11:00AM – 12:00PM 

Registration encouraged. 

Join us for our first ever Winter Yoga series! Held in the beautiful space of Armor Hall, the flow of each session is inspired by the frosty winter weather. While sheltered and warm, we'll be surrounded by a panoramic view of our Conifer Slope and majestic trees, offering an inspiring winter backdrop. This new series is one you won't want to miss!  

 

 

WINTER HOURS STARTING NOV 1: 10AM–4:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday 

Shuttle Service Free from Subway and Metro-North, Thursday–Sunday 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.  

DEC Announces 2025 Exam Date for Licensed Guide Program, Falconry License, Wildlife Rehabilitator License, and Leashed Tracking Dog License

 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the upcoming dates of examinations for individuals seeking select Special Licenses. To provide enhanced access, DEC is offering these examinations online and free-of-charge.

Exams being offered include:

• New York State Licensed Guide: camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater, rock climbing, and ice climbing;
• Falconry License;
• Wildlife Rehabilitator License; and
• Leashed Tracking Dog License.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the customer experience, DEC is proud to offer these free examinations online,” said DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “This process makes it easier for individuals to apply and take part in helping others safely and responsibly enjoy New York’s affordable outdoor recreation opportunities and undertake proper wildlife rehabilitation activities.”

New York State Licensed Guide Exams

A guide is a person at least 18 years of age offering services for hire, including directing, instructing, or aiding another individual in camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater rafting/canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, and ice climbing.

Applicants are not required to be a resident of New York State to receive a guide's license.

2025 Licensed Guide Examination Schedule
Exam Date	Exam Times	Registration Must be Received by:
Feb. 7, 2025	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	Feb. 5, 2025
March 1, 2025	NYSOGA meeting only	Feb. 21, 2025
May 9, 2025	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	May 7, 2025
June 6, 2025	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	June 4, 2025
July 11, 2025	7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.	July 9, 2025
Sept. 12, 2025	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	Sept. 10, 2025

All exams will be online, except for the in-person exam offered at the New York State Outdoor Guides Association (NYSOGA) winter rendezvous meeting on March 1, 2025. Exam and registration instructions can be found on the DEC Licensed Guide Program webpage.

To register, visit the Licensed Guide Exams Registration Website. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging registration with a one-time link to access the exam on the specified exam date. Upon successful completion of the exam(s), applicants will receive information on applying for the license, including an application form. Please do not send applications or fees prior to passing the examination(s).

An outline of exam content and a study guide can be found on the DEC Licensed Guide Program webpage. The Fieldbook, a reference book published by the Boy Scouts of America, is also recommended and available online.

 

Falconry, Wildlife Rehabilitator, And Leashed Tracking Dog License Examinations

2025 Falconry, Wildlife Rehabilitator, and Leashed Tracking Dog License Examination Schedule
Exam Date	Exam Times	Registration must be Received by:
April 11, 2025	7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.	April 9,2025
Aug. 8, 2025*	7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.	Aug. 6, 2025

*Please note: Registration for the August exams will open the week following the April exam. 

To register, visit the Special Licenses Registration Website. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging registration and a one-time link to access the exam on the specified exam date. The link to the exam registration webpage can be found on each of the individual license webpages at: Division of Fish and Wildlife Special Licenses and Permits. 

Apprentice Falconry License

Falconry has a rich history and tradition throughout the world and requires a significant commitment of time and effort. Apprentices are limited to possessing one bird, either an American kestrel or a red-tailed hawk. To qualify for the Apprentice Falconry License, applicants must: 

• score 80 percent or higher on the written exam;
• be at least 14 years of age;
• possess a valid New York State hunting license;
• maintain DEC-approved facilities for housing falconry raptors; and
• be a resident of New York State. 

A falconry study guide and examination manual are available on the DEC Falconry License webpage. The exam is free; the cost of a five-year falconry license is $40. 

Wildlife Rehabilitator License

Wildlife rehabilitators provide for the care of injured, sick, and orphaned wild animals for the purpose of returning rehabilitated animals to the wild. Prospective applicants are encouraged to gain experience by serving as an assistant to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. To qualify for the Wildlife Rehabilitator License, applicants must: 

• score 80 percent or higher on the written exam;
• be at least 16 years of age;
• be interviewed by DEC Regional wildlife staff; and
• be a resident of New York State. 

A wildlife rehabilitator study guide and examination manual are available on the DEC Wildlife Rehabilitator License webpage. The exam is free and there is no cost for the five-year wildlife rehabilitation license. 

Leashed Tracking Dog License

Leashed tracking dog handlers provide a valuable service in aiding hunters in locating wounded big game that otherwise may go unrecovered. To qualify for a Leashed Tracking Dog License, applicants must:

• score 80 percent or higher on the written exam; and
• possess a valid New York State hunting license.

A leashed tracking dog study guide is available on the DEC Leashed Tracking Dog License webpage. The exam is free; the five-year leashed tracking dog license is $50. Additionally, there is a $25 non-refundable fee for first-time applicants.

For questions or assistance please contact:

NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752

Email: SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov

Phone: 518-402-8985, Fax: 518-402-8925

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, it is my hope that we continue working together to make The Bronx, our City, our State, and our country better places for us and our future generations.

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025:

NEW YORK STATE TO ELIMINATE INSULIN CO-PAYS ON STATE-REGULATED INSURANCE PLANS

January 3rd, Senator Rivera joined Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Senate Majority Leader Senator Stewart-Cousins, and other elected officials for special announcements, including the implementation of Senator Rivera's bill to eliminate insulin co-pays in state-regulated insurance plans.

Thanks to this legislation, which was included in the 2024-2025 enacted budget, no one who needs insulin will face out-of-pocket costs.

Senator Rivera said: "Diabetes currently affects almost two million New Yorkers, particularly in vulnerable communities where poverty and broken food systems intersect, like many that I represent in The Bronx. As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, I was incredibly proud that my bill to eliminate insulin copays on state regulated insurance plans was included in last year's state budget, which was enacted by Governor Hochul. With this measure going into effect today, I’m looking forward to continue working with my colleagues in the Legislature and the Executive to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all New Yorkers."

APPLY NOW FOR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP)

SIGN UP FOR CONGESTION RELIEF ZONE TOLLING LAST WEBINAR (01/08)

Starting January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 St—will be charged a toll. The program will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund better public transit.

 

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars in December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling. Webinars will explain why New York needs congestion pricing, how the Congestion Relief Zone works, what the toll rates are, who is entitled to discounts and exemptions, and other things people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will feature a brief presentation, followed by Q&A.

 

Learn more about the sessions and register to attend here.

 

For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info. 

HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING

VERY COLD TEMPERATURES?

Much of the country will be hit with extreme low temperatures over the next week as a polar vortex sends cold air down from the North Pole.

How can you prepare for it? Here is what you can do:

STAY SAFE INDOORS

Prevent Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:



• Change batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
• Check that they are installed in areas where people sleep and on each floor of your home.

Take these Steps if you do not have Heat or Hot Water:

• Tell your building superintendent, property manager or owner right away. Call 311 if the problem is not fixed quickly.
• Go to a warm place, such as a friend’s or family member’s home.

Until Your Heat is Fixed, Heat Your Home Safely:

• Never use a stove, oven or charcoal grill to heat your home. Kerosene heaters and propane space heaters are illegal in NYC.
• If you use an electric space heater, only plug it directly into the wall outlet.

 

STAY SAFE OUTDOORS

Keep Warm:

• Dress in dry, loose-fitting layers.
• Cover exposed skin, such as your face and hands.

Prevent Slips and Falls:

• Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult.
• Wear sturdy shoes or boots.
• Take short steps and walk at a slow pace.
• Use handrails on stairs.

Be Careful When Shoveling Snow:

• In NYC, homeowners are responsible for shoveling snow. Shovel slowly and take breaks often.
• If you are an older adult or have a disability and need snow shoveled, call 311 and ask if volunteer snow removal services are available in your neighborhood.

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite:

Hypothermia and frostbite are serious conditions caused by spending long periods of time in very cold temperatures.

Hypothermia is when your body temperature drops to a dangerously low level. It can lead to death. Symptoms include:



• Intense shivering
• Sluggishness
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Trouble speaking
• Confusion
• Lack of Coordination
• Shallow Breathing

Frostbite is when parts of the body freeze, especially your fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks. It can cause permanent damage. Symptoms include:

• Red and painful skin or pale skin
• Unusually firm or waxy skin
• Numbness

Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you see symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite. 

*Source: NYC Health: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/emergency-preparedness/emergencies-extreme-weather-cold-weather.page

$1 Transit Getaways: Governor Hochul Encourages New Yorkers to Take Advantage of MTA’s ‘Winter Weekend’ Discount Program

Monthly Ticket Holders’ Families and Friends Ride for $1 on LIRR and Metro-North

Discount for Riders Begins Today, Jan. 4

Builds on Governor Hochul’s Promise To Make Public Transit More Affordable, More Accessible and More Reliable

Governor Kathy Hochul urged monthly ticket holders of the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad to take advantage of the MTA’s “Winter Weekend” discount program, beginning today. The program gives monthly ticket holders the ability to travel alongside up to two friends or family members for just $1 to any station serviced by the LIRR and Metro-North trains on Saturdays and Sundays. “Winter Weekend” expands on the MTA’s “Summer Saturday” discount program, and is aimed at making public transit more affordable and more accessible for New Yorkers.

“Our ‘Winter Weekend’ program makes exploring New York State more affordable for riders across the region — lowering LIRR and Metro-North weekend fares to just $1 for family and friends traveling with monthly commuters,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m committed to lowering costs and improving service for all public transit commuters, and ‘Winter Weekend’ is a fun way to get away and see everything that the region has to offer.”

$1 Travel Ideas

On Dec. 31, 2024, Governor Hochul announced the launch of the 2025 State Parks Wellness Challenge as a part of her “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative. The challenge includes 50 missions, and encourages New Yorkers to visit their local parks and historic sites to increase outdoor recreation. Some of these spectacular sites and the beautiful scenery of New York’s state parks are located off the Metro-North or LIRR, and will cost monthly ticket holders only $1 on the weekend to bring a friend or family member. Taking a trip to go on a hike has just become more affordable, and the new wellness challenge will make the excursion both competitive and exciting.

New Yorkers can take advantage of the $1 fares on the LIRR and Metro-North, and travel to any of the suggested travel destinations.

• Metro-North: Hudson Line, Cold Spring Station — A village in Putnam County, with a beautiful landscape and great access to the outdoors, Cold Spring is a station stop on the Hudson line. Near the train station is an outlook of the Hudson River. Visitors can also hike different trails at Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, and visit the nearby downtown shops and restaurants afterward.
• Metro-North: Hudson Line, Beacon Station — Breakneck Ridge is one of the Hudson Highlands’ scenic mountains, and its trailhead is a great destination for hiking enthusiasts. With another opportunity for New Yorkers to “Get offline, Get outside,” and complete some of the 50 missions set in the wellness challenge. Other attractions in Beacon include visiting the Beacon Flea Market, popping into the galleries and antique shops along Main Street, and exploring some of Beacon’s historic sites.
• Metro-North: New Haven Line, New Haven, CT Station — New Yorkers can go out-of-state to New England, as far as the Metro-North territory extends, and visit New Haven, Connecticut. Known for its miles-long stretches of food trucks and home to Yale University, visiting New Haven is an opportunity to take advantage of our transit system and cross state lines at an affordable price.
• LIRR: Montauk Branch, Patchogue — One of the featured downtowns on Long Island, Patchogue’s Main Street is lively with new up-and-coming shops and restaurants. What makes Patchogue stand out as a destination to visit is its arts scene — visitors can attend a show at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts and visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, among other activities.
• LIRR: Montauk Branch, Bay Shore — On the South Shore of Long Island, Bay Shore features a walkable downtown and provides access to Fire Island by way of the ferry. With unique small businesses and an adequate selection of restaurants and activities, a visit to Bay Shore will be a day to remember.
• LIRR: Montauk Branch, Montauk — A village on Eastern Long Island, Montauk is known for its beautiful beaches and oceanfronts, which include its shops and restaurants. Taking the train to Montauk could be a weekend-long trip, as the $1 trip fares apply to monthly ticket holders on Saturdays and Sundays.

The New York City Transit system continues to achieve ridership records and higher performance levels. On Dec. 13, 2024, Governor Hochul announced that the MTA achieved a record ridership of 4.5 million passengers on Dec. 12, 2024, the highest number of riders recorded post-pandemic since Mar. 11, 2020. As more commuters continue to use the transit system, investments in the MTA and its capital plan will deliver on the promise of providing faster and reliable service to all New Yorkers — a necessity for riders to have a stress-free commute.

LIRR and Metro-North trains will not cross honor tickets, and customers cannot use their ticket between the railroads — stations serviced by the LIRR will need a separate discounted monthly ticket from stations serviced by the Metro-North.

Discounted tickets can be purchased on the TrainTime app under Family Fares — the app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store. Riders can also purchase discounted tickets on board the train from the conductor without incurring an extra charge.

The “Winter Weekend” discount program for monthly ticket holders is expected to run through the end of March, according to the MTA.

 

Justice Department Reaches Proposed Consent Decree with Fulton County, Georgia, and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to Resolve Claims that Conditions Inside the Fulton County Jail Violate the Constitution and Other Federal Laws

 

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced that the Department has entered into a court-enforceable agreement to resolve the Department’s findings that conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail (the Jail) in Georgia violate the 8th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Today, the Department filed a complaint and a proposed consent decree with Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff in federal court.

The proposed consent decree, which must still be approved by the court, would resolve the Department’s claims that that the Jail engages in a pattern or practice of violating the rights of people incarcerated there. Under the proposed consent decree, the Jail will, among other things:

• Develop plans and policies to keep incarcerated people safe from violence;
• Improve supervision and staffing;
• Keep doors and locks in working order;
• Require any use of force by staff comply with constitutional standards;
• Take steps to protect incarcerated people at risk of suicide and to afford incarcerated people adequate medical and mental health care;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive housekeeping plan and pest management system to keep the Jail clean, sanitary, and free of pests;
• Stop housing vulnerable people in isolation when they are at substantial risk of self-harm or other negative mental health outcomes absent specific and significant protections; and
• Facilitate the provision of adequate special education services to children with disabilities in the Jail.

The proposed consent decree provides for an independent monitor to assess the Jail’s implementation of the decree’s requirements.  The monitor will issue public reports on the Jail’s progress every six months and members of the public can share information with the monitor regarding implementation of the decree and Jail conditions.

“This proposed consent decree is a critical step toward correcting the dangerous and dehumanizing conditions that have persisted in the Fulton County Jail for far too long,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “When the Department announced findings from our investigation of the Fulton County Jail in November, we called on the County and Sheriff’s Office to remedy the troubling pattern of unsanitary living conditions, brutal physical attacks, and other dangerous issues at the Jail. We are encouraged that local officials have agreed to a plan that will begin to address the inhumane, unconstitutional conditions that were reflected in Lashawn Thompson’s horrific death.”

“Our findings regarding the Fulton County Jail identified serious and life-threatening violations of the Constitution and other laws,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. “Detention in the Fulton County Jail amounted to a death sentence for dozens of people who have been murdered or who died as a result of inhumane conditions inside the facility. The proposed consent decree includes strong remedial provisions, an independent monitor and other remedies that make it a model for addressing these kinds of violations in jails and prisons across the nation. If fully implemented, this consent decree and its comprehensive remedies should reduce violence and unnecessary force; increase the quality of medical and mental health care; reduce the use of unnecessary isolation, particularly for people with mental illness and 17-year-old children; and afford children with disabilities the education to which they are entitled. We thank the County and Sheriff for working with the Justice Department on these long overdue reforms.”

“Our report from an investigation of Fulton County and the Fulton County Jail concluded that the Constitutional rights of incarcerated persons are being violated,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan for the Northern District of Georgia. “The proposed consent decree serves as a cooperative measure to address the grievous pattern of inhumane — and frequently violent — treatment of people in custody, along with the filthy and unsanitary living conditions they endure while awaiting formal charges or trials at the Fulton County Jail. This office is deeply invested in the well-being of all our residents, and we are hopeful that the systemic deficiencies revealed by our report will be remedied through the implementation of the requirements outlined in the decree, along with regular oversight of the progress of Fulton County and the Fulton County Jail, as overseen by an independent monitor.”

The Justice Department initiated its investigation of the Fulton County Jail in July 2023. The Department’s investigation proceeded under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), Americans with Disabilities Act, and Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits law enforcement officers from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. These statutes authorize the Attorney General to file a lawsuit in federal court to seek court-ordered remedies to eliminate a pattern or practice of unlawful conduct. The Department provided Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff with written notice of its findings, along with the supporting facts for its findings, and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address the violations found. The proposed consent decree seeks to address and resolve those violations.

The Civil Rights Division continues to prioritize unconstitutional conditions and violations of federal law in correctional and juvenile justice facilities.  It opened new investigations into prisons and jails in Tennessee, California, South Carolina, and juvenile justice facilities across Kentucky. The division also issued findings in its investigations of Mississippi prisons, Texas juvenile justice system’s facilities, the Georgia Department of Corrections, and San Luis Obispo County, California, Jail. The division entered into agreements, including consent decrees, regarding the Cumberland County, New Jersey, Jail, the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey, the Broad River Road Complex in South Carolina, the Manson Youth Institution in Connecticut, and the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The division is also litigating matters related to the constitutionality of conditions in Alabama’s prisons for men and the incarceration of people beyond their release dates in Louisiana prisons.   

For more information about the Civil Rights Division and its Special Litigation Section, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. You can also report civil rights violations by completing the complaint form available at civilrights.justice.gov/. To provide information related to the Department’s investigation of the Fulton County Jail, please call 1-888-473-4092 or email the investigation team at FultonCountyJail@usdoj.gov.