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The FUND for Lake George, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of Lake George and its watershed, has announced the appointment of two new staff members, Hilary Kellogg Hurley and Brea Arvidson. » Continue Reading.
FUND for Lake George Adds Staff
Upper Saranac Shoreline Protected Along Canoe Route
The Adirondack Land Trust purchased five acres of forest along the shore of Upper Saranac Lake to ensure that a mile-long stretch of shoreline between Indian Carry and Indian Point remains forever wild.
The tract features 570 feet of rugged lakeshore edged by boulders and northern white cedars. The Adirondack Land Trust is expected to work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to transfer the land to the state to close a gap in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, which is protected under the “forever wild” clause of New York’s constitution as part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. » Continue Reading.
Early Results On Overuse, Visitors Still Surging
While the total number of visitors is still rising, the state’s initial actions to curb overuse of the Adirondack Park’s High Peaks Wilderness Area have started to show results, according to data collected by the Adirondack Council in 2017 and 2019.
The highest weekend peak visitor traffic numbers decreased across the top three destinations in the High Peaks by 3.5 percent. That is progress. We can celebrate that while recognizing that there is still much to do to ensure Wilderness and access are preserved. » Continue Reading.
Climber Rescued After Fall at Chapel Pond
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people from the Adirondack backcountry.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers in the Adirondacks. » Continue Reading.
Public Input Sought On High Peaks Overuse Issues
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the members of the newly launched High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group are encouraging New Yorkers to share their input on the State’s efforts to help promote sustainable use in the High Peaks.
In addition, Advisory Group meeting summaries will be posted online for public review. » Continue Reading.
DEC Summer Camps Nearly Fill in 24 Hrs
Online registration opened Sunday, January 26th, for the State’s 2020 Summer Camp season and in less than 24 hours, 90 percent of spaces were filled with 22 weeks for boys and 13 for girls already booked.
DEC’s Summer Camp program began in 1947 and today operates four residential camps for children ages 11 to 17: Camp Colby in Saranac Lake; Camp DeBruce in Livingston Manor (Sullivan County); Camp Rushford in Caneadea (Allegany County), and Pack Forest in Warrensburg.
Beavers: Nature’s Architects and Engineers
Beavers are the great architects of American ponds and streams. The North American beaver competes with the Eurasian beaver to be the 2nd largest rodent in the world, after another semi-aquatic mammal, the South American Capybara. The average weight of a beaver in New York State is 42 lbs, though 60 pounders are not that unusual. Beavers have an average body length of 2 and ½ feet to 3 feet, and a flat swimming rudder tail of 8 to 14 inches. The tail doubles as a warning device, used to loudly slap the water when predators, dogs or people are sighted.
Beavers can stay under water for about 15 minutes, with their ears and nostrils sealed, and can live to be twenty years plus. » Continue Reading.
Empire State Games’ Adirondack Torch Relay Stops
A torch relay route from Manhattan to Lake Placid to kick off the 40th Annual Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) began Sunday and will arrive in the Adirondack region on Thursday. The 2020 Games will be held January 30-February 2.
The relay will end with the lighting of the cauldron in Lake Placid. There is another torch relay route from Western New York to Lake Placid, running simultaneously.
The following is the schedule for the torch relay on Thursday: » Continue Reading.
Winter Carnival Gift Shop and Headquarters
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Gift Shop and Headquarters opens for the season on January 31 at the ROOST office at 193 River Street.
It offers a gift shop, maps and information about the various events of the 10-day festival and serves as a central planning resource for visitors and residents. » Continue Reading.
NCCC To Offer Scholarships to Military Spouses
Spouses of active duty service members can receive scholarships to attend North Country Community College under a special Department of Defense program.
The college received notification in December that it has been approved as a provider of the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship, which provides up to $4,000 of tuition assistance to eligible military spouses. » Continue Reading.
Adirondack Council Reviews Gov’s Budget Plans
The Adirondack Council applauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo for proposing State Budget funding that will combat climate change, protect clean water and preserve Wilderness, build more resilient trails and make the park more welcoming place for all state residents.
On top of the newly announced $3-billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act proposal, the Governor’s plan adds another $500 million investment in clean water project funding, in addition to the $500 million previously announced for this year’s budget. » Continue Reading.
Fridays Are for Film Lovers in Lake Placid
The Adirondack Film Society (AFS) Screening Series at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) is set to return for its sixth year with a new Friday-evenings only schedule and a lineup of four films, including two of this year’s Best-Picture Oscar nominees.
South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho’s social-class-comedy-turned-thriller Parasite will be screened on January 31st and Taika Waititi’s World War II satire, Jojo Rabbit, featuring an Academy-Award-nominated performance by Scarlett Johansson, on March 27th. » Continue Reading.
ANCA Announces Local Farm Grant Recipients
The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced the recipients of its Local Farm Grant program, which was launched in October 2019 to support farmers and food producers who are strengthening the region’s agriculture and food systems.
A total sum of $103,962 in grant funds have been awarded to the following northern New York farms: Argyle Cheese Farmer in Argyle; Blue Pepper Farm in Jay; Juniper Hill Farm in Wadhams; Mace Chasm Farm in Keeseville; Milkweed Tussock Tubers in Heuvelton; North Branch Farms in Henderson; Peacock and Pony Farm in Natural Bridge; and Triple Green Jade Farm in Willsboro. » Continue Reading.
DEC Announces Annual Tree and Shrub Sale
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery has kicked off its annual spring seedling sale. Each year, this DEC nursery offers dozens of New York-grown tree and shrub species for sale to the public.
The nursery sale offers a low-cost opportunity for landowners to implement large-scale conservation plantings on their property. From homeowners hoping to create a windbreak, to those looking to cool their home with shade in the summer, the dozens of species available from the nursery offer something for every landowner’s planting goal. » Continue Reading.
An Unusual Encounter With A Ruffed Grouse
Close encounters with wildlife have always fascinated me. But the behavior of wild animals can be, at best, difficult to understand and, at times, totally unpredictable. I once grappled with a robin who returned year after year, only to spend the entire summer flying into my office window in a seemingly endless war with its reflection.
Just last month, I was outside beside the woodpile, getting ready to bring in some firewood, when a male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) stepped out from under a small spruce tree, fearlessly strutted right up to me, and steadfastly stood there on the ground, literally underfoot. I was actually afraid that I’d accidentally step on him. » Continue Reading.
Latest Adirondack News
- How 2 women thru-hiked the High Peaks in 7 days
- Newcomb mansion to go into private hands
- Decades-old milfoil mats removed from Lake George
- Charter inflated number of rural hookups required by settlement
- SUNY testing all students before Thanksgiving
- Record number of search and rescues this year
- Adirondack Regional Airport labeled a superfund site
- Keeping E.coli out of Lake George's Million Dollar Beach
- Adirondack real estate boom shows no signs of slowing
- Shuttles, permits, visitor centers are part of latest High Peaks crowds talks
Latest Adirondack News
- How 2 women thru-hiked the High Peaks in 7 days
- Newcomb mansion to go into private hands
- Decades-old milfoil mats removed from Lake George
- Charter inflated number of rural hookups required by settlement
- SUNY testing all students before Thanksgiving
- Record number of search and rescues this year
- Adirondack Regional Airport labeled a superfund site
- Keeping E.coli out of Lake George's Million Dollar Beach
- Adirondack real estate boom shows no signs of slowing
- Shuttles, permits, visitor centers are part of latest High Peaks crowds talks
The Adirondack Almanack
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