Based on the Adirondack Council's vision statement, the following are some ideas to move that vision forward. In addition to the actions described below, the Council will continue its long-term efforts to reduce air pollution as the primary cause of global climate change, acid rain and mercury contamination, and to improve water quality across the Adirondack Park.

Large core wilderness areas.

• With recent land acquisitions by the Nature Conservancy and Open Space Institute, advocate for major additions to the Forest Preserve, guided by the Council's 2020 VISION on Completing the Adirondack Wilderness System.
• Prepare a Concept Master Plan for the 408,000-acre Bob Marshall Great Wilderness based on ecosystem management principles by consolidating existing Forest Preserve units, designing a comprehensive network of trails, and demonstrating economic opportunities for local communities as 'gateways' to the largest wilderness complex in the East.
• Advocate for the removal of interior roads on the Forest Preserve, and better control and enforcement of the roadways and waterways that serve as entry points for invasive species.
• Engage local communities as stewards of the Forest Preserve lands within their towns by providing Environmental Protection Fund contracts for trail construction and maintenance, invasive species removal, campground operations, etc. to reinforce a sense of pride in the land, as well as jobs.

Connected to working farms.

• Create economic incentives for regional farmers to produce North Country products and move them to downstate markets, as well as selling locally.
• Increase support for the Adirondack Harvest network, Community Supported Agriculture (e.g., Essex Farm) and organic agriculture (e.g., Rivermede Farm).
• Explore willow biomass energy production on fallow farm lands in the Lake Champlain Valley and possibilities to use CP railroad for bulk transport to the power plants.

Connected to working forests.

• Improve monitoring of the 750,000 acres of forest lands with conservation easements via a network of partner organizations, aerial surveys, and cooperation with DEC.
• Expand conservation easements on currently unprotected forest lands with significant ecological values.
• Advocate for an expansion of the 480-A Timber Tax Abatement Program to include non-commercial lands of ecological value (e.g., wetlands, riparian corridors, rocky ledges, etc.) and demand full reimbursement of lost property taxes to affected towns.
• Explore sustainable forest biomass energy production that also ensures the forest's ecological integrity.
• Create economic incentives to value ecosystem services provided by private forest lands (e.g., sustainable forestry certification, carbon sequestration, watershed protection, water and air filtration, nutrient recycling, wildlife habitat, scenic and recreational uses, etc.)

Augmented by vibrant local communities.

• Secure additional smart growth funds for comprehensive local planning.
• Use smart growth principles to concentrate development in the existing population centers by installing broad-band telecommunications, revitalizing main streets, providing affordable housing built from local materials, upgrading water and wastewater treatment systems, and providing public transportation.
• Create incentives for ecologically sound uses of small scale renewable energy from solar, hydro, biomass and wind.
• Reduce exurban sprawl and habitat fragmentation in Resource Management and Rural Use zones by advocating for APA cluster development regulations and demonstrating the additional costs of municipal services (e.g., fire, police, emergency, school buses, road and utility maintenance, etc.)

Within a diverse mosaic of biologically intact landscapes.

• Establish regional wildlife migration corridors between remaining large natural areas to permit native species to adjust to the coming impacts of climate change. Focus on restoring river corridors and flood plains, and enhancing known movement routes.
• Reconnect previously natural corridors from the Adirondacks to Tug Hill in the west, northwest to Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada; along the Lake Champlain-Richelieu River to the north; east to Vermont's Green Mountains; and south along the Hudson River valley.
• Make transportation corridors permeable to permit viable wildlife migration along terrestrial pathways, flyways, wetlands and water courses. The same linear natural open spaces can be used to sequester carbon, control flooding, remove contaminants from water bodies, and provide non-motorized recreation opportunities.