Fall is right around the corner, but it\u2019s already making its arrival known; days are getting shorter, nights are getting colder and leaves are already beginning to change.<\/p>\n
The New York State Division of Tourism says New York is a popular leaf peeping destination.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the longest foliage season of any state in the nation,\u201d Executive Director Ross Levi said. \u201cThat\u2019s thanks partially to our size, but also to our geography and the types of trees we have that are really prone to really spectacular foliage.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that spectacular foliage that brings in visitors from all over.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople come from all over the world to see the northeastern fall colors, and it\u2019s absolutely justified,\u201d Don Leopold said, a distinguished teaching professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.<\/p>\n
Those visitors are vital to the state\u2019s economic health. Levi says tourism is the state\u2019s second largest industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s responsible, literally, for one in nine jobs, and it saves every household over $1,500 in taxes they otherwise would pay,\u201d Levi explained.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I Love NY has been providing a fall foliage report for more than 40 years.<\/p>\n
Levi, who is also the executive director of I Love NY, says it\u2019s a great tool for tourists who are not only looking forward to leaf peeping, but also looking forward to taking in all the great seasonal attractions the region has to offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether that\u2019s getting out into the great outdoors, taking a scenic drive on one of our national scenic byways, going to a wine trail, picking apples and pumpkins, there\u2019s just so many exciting ways to experience fall in New York state,\u201d Levi said.<\/p>\n
The report compiles information from \u201cleaf spotters\u201d across the state who report when leaves are near peak, at peak, or past peak as the season progresses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe now have over 100 volunteers of leaf spotters across New York state, including me, that are in their local neighborhoods, reporting on what they\u2019re seeing,\u201d Levi explained.<\/p>\n
Leopold says if the weather cooperates, leaf peepers and leaf spotters alike are in for a phenomenal foliage season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the conditions are clear, if there\u2019s relatively few prolonged rain events, prolonged wind events, the fall colors should be outstanding,\u201d the professor explained.<\/p>\n