Lake George Land Conservancy Announces Michael Horn as Executive Director

BOLTON LANDING, NY—The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) announces the hiring of its next Executive Director, Michael (Mike) G. Horn, effective January 1, 2022. Mike Horn is succeeding Jamie Brown who served as LGLC’s Executive Director from 2015 to October of this year.

“Jamie did a fabulous job protecting the land that protects the lake,” said Mike Horn, “while building a very strong financial foundation to support the LGLC’s ongoing efforts. I am honored and excited to be the LGLC’s new executive director and continue this positive momentum.”

For the past four years Mike Horn has been Conservation Director of Saratoga PLAN, an accredited land trust in Saratoga Springs, NY. Prior to pursuing his passion for land conservation, he had a successful management career in the renewable energy field at GE.

LGLC Board President Michael O’Reilly said, “Mike’s land acquisition experience, passion for conservation, love of the outdoors and business acumen will ensure LGLC’s continued success in protecting the land that protects the lake.”

Mike Horn received a Bachelor of Arts, Economics and Business from Lafayette College and two master’s degrees from the University of Michigan: Master of Science, Natural Resource and Environmental Policy from the School of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Master of Business Administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. He and his family reside in Saratoga Springs.

ANCA Hires New Clean Energy Program Director

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has hired a new Clean Energy Program Director. Jill Henck will lead the economic development organization’s efforts to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, as well as energy and climate justice policy, across New York’s North Country region.

Henck joined ANCA’s growing staff, which now includes 21 people, on December 1, 2020. As director, she leads a team of four “energy circuit riders” (ECRs) who work with local communities to expand clean energy opportunities for their residents and businesses.

“Jill’s brings with her a diverse background that will help us grow our region’s clean energy economy,” said ANCA Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper. “Her direct experience with New York’s energy landscape is invaluable as ANCA expands our community-based projects and our broader systems-level efforts to guide the development of energy infrastructure, programs and policy. We’re so glad to welcome Jill to the ANCA team.”

Henck most recently served as Sustainability Planner and Clean Energy Communities Coordinator with the Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC). Prior to moving back to New York State in 2017, she created and implemented land use policies in Park County, Colorado around the region’s largest cash crop, recreational marijuana.

Henck earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy from Union College in 2010 and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with a focus in environmental planning from the University of Colorado Denver in 2015.

She grew up in the Mohawk Valley of New York and currently works from her home just north of the Catskill Mountains. She intends to move closer to ANCA’s Saranac Lake office in 2022.

“I’m honored to be joining an organization with such a strong reputation for community engagement and regional collaboration,” said Henck. “In my work with CDRPC, I looked to ANCA as a leader in clean energy and sustainable economic development. I’m excited to help guide the Clean Energy Program as interest in clean energy continues to gain momentum across the North Country.”

ANCA’s Clean Energy Program (CEP) focuses on expanding clean energy opportunities in North Country communities and growing investments in the region’s renewable energy systems, including grid and transportation infrastructure. ECRs work directly with municipalities, school districts, businesses and residents to plan and implement clean energy projects such as energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging stations and community solar campaigns.

Adirondack Council hires farm advocate to run Essex Farm Institute

ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. – The Adirondack Council today announced it has hired Saratoga County native and Echo Farm founder Dillon Klepetar to run the Essex Farm Institute.

The Adirondack Park’s largest environmental organization adopted the Essex Farm Inst. almost four years ago to ensure that the park’s sustainable agriculture movement continues to grow and improve.  Klepetar took the new position in September.

“I am excited to be coordinating the institute’s efforts to support sustainable farming practices and working-lands policy within the Adirondack Park,” Klepetar said.  “The institute’s mission is to advocate for, support, and promote resilient, diversified farms that strengthen the health of natural and human communities in the Adirondacks.”

Klepetar succeeds Racey Henderson, former EFI Program Coordinator, and Charlotte Staats, who served as an interim project leader.

The Essex Farm Institute was established in 2012 and adopted by the Adirondack Council in 2018.

“In his new role, Dillon will work to improve the financial viability of farms, farm families and the agricultural workforce,” said Adirondack Council Executive Director William C. Janeway.  “Along the way, we will help him engage in advocacy and outreach that preserves the ecological integrity of thousands of acres of working lands within the Park while improving the availability and affordability of local food.”

Klepetar will also begin shepherding the EFI Micro Grants Program for Adirondack Farms, which has provided over $150,000 to roughly 100 farmer-driven, climate-wise stewardship projects.  He joins the Council’s six-member Conservation Team, which focuses on wilderness protection, climate change, clean water, clean air and rewilding.  Klepetar brings academic, environmental non-profit and agricultural experience to a role that has him working with farmers, legislators and other non-profit entities.

Klepetar grew up in Gansevoort, about five miles east of the Adirondack Park border. Before joining the Adirondack Council staff, Klepetar earned a doctorate in Government at American University in Washington, DC.  His farming experience in the Park began in 2014 when he founded Echo Farm in Essex, NY, a business that is committed to sustainability and farming in harmony with adjacent wilderness.