WXHC: NY Inspector General Lang Visits State Police Barracks to P...

Staff

October 9, 2025

Wednesday morning, October 8th, New York State Inspector General, Lucy Lang, visited the State Police Barracks at Ithaca on Route 13 to plant 9 tree saplings as part of a state-wide initiative to plant 25 million trees.

Prior to planting the 9 tree saplings around the barracks, Captain Mikhail Wolchetsky provided an overview of the State Police Barracks at Ithaca and what they do in serving the area. SP Ithaca is part of Zone 3 of Troop C of the New York State Police. The barracks has about 18 Troopers working from the post.

"As a State Police agency, we assist other agencies with whatever they need." Captain Wolchetsky said. "Everybody just goes there and helps them out. State Police is huge in terms of relationships with other police agencies, it's paramount for us. We want to make sure we have great relationships, we know people, in case something happens."

Reasoning for the planting of the trees is part of New York State's mission to plant 25 million trees to safeguard clean water and protect lakes. The goal is to have 25 million trees planted by 2035, according to Governor Kathy Hochul's Office. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, over 330,000 trees have been planted so far through 3,153 projects across the state.

Inspector General Lucy Lang made several stops in Tompkins County to plant trees on state-owned properties. Those included Robert H. Treman State Park, Cornell University F.R. Newman Arboretum, and the Office for Child and Family Services juvenile facilities.

"It's been an exciting day seeing the awesome work that New York State employees are doing on behalf of New Yorkers everyday." Inspector General Lang said to X101 News. "We are working with partners and state agencies to plant trees as part of DECs 25 million tree project."