A plan to reinvent the Adirondack Park Agency and revitalize communities that appears in the October 2011 issue of Adirondack Life has generated discussions, letters to editors, blog posts and op-ed pieces. “The Other Endangered Species” by Brian Mann has sparked debate in all corners of the six-million-acre Adirondack Park and beyond.

To continue dialogue on political, economic and quality of life issues raised by Saranac Lake-based reporter Mann, Adirondack Life is sponsoring two panel discussions that are free and open to the public.

On September 30, at 7:30 p.m. the forum will be held at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb. On October 5 at 7:30 p.m. Northwoods Inn, Lake Placid will host a session with Kate Fish, Jim LaValley, John Sheehan and others.

“So many people have suggested concrete ways to help park towns that we feel bringing these ideas to light will truly move the conversation into positive territory,” said Elizabeth Folwell, longtime creative director of Adirondack Life.

For the September 30 program panelists include:

*Paul B. Hai, program coordinator of the Northern Forest Institute and the Adirondack Ecological Center, in Newcomb. He has been instrumental in revitalizing the former Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center for educational outreach year-round.

*Brian Mann, Adirondack bureau chief, North Country Public Radio, a resident of Saranac Lake, who has covered park political, environmental and social issues in radio and print for more than a decade.

*Brad Dake, chairman of the town of Arietta planning board and chair of the Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Project, sponsored by the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages. This report, updated in 2010, thoroughly examines demographic and economic trends.

*Leilani Crafts Ulrich, a co-founder of Common Ground Alliance and current Adirondack Park Agency commissioner. She lives in Old Forge and serves on the board of the Adirondack Community Housing Trust.

*John Warren, a 25-year media professional, is best known as founder and editor of two popular online magazines, Adirondack Almanack and New York History, He lives in Chestertown.

Each panelist will present ideas for moving toward Adirondacks3.0, new visions for sustainable communities. Audience members are invited to ask questions and share their own suggestions for healthier towns.

The meeting will be held at the SUNY-ESF Adirondack Interpretive Center, 5922 State Route 28N, in Newcomb. Phone 518.582.2000.