5 Things You Need to Know | March 2025 ADK Conservation News
By Justin A. Levine - Senior Communications Specialist
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Building story bridges: oral histories expand - The Sun, Mar 26, 2025
Long-time advocate and OurStoryBridge creator, Jery Huntley, is leading the way on preserving oral history. Huntley, who lives in Keene part of the year, helps facilitate different groups collecting oral stories to help shine light on current events. The Adirondack Council is participating in OurStoryBridge in honor of our 50th anniversary, and you can listen to our stories now - or reach out to share your own.
DEC names new leader - Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Mar 20, 2025
After the departure of long-time state Department of Environmental Conservation leader Basil Seggos in 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced her nomination to lead the DEC, Amanda Lefton. Lefton has experience in Albany and Washington, D.C. in the environmental realm, having worked on offshore wind permits, energy policy and for The Nature Conservancy. Lefton is now acting DEC commissioner until her role is approved by the state Senate. Sean Mahar, who had been acting DEC commissioner after Seggos’ departure, announced he will stay with the department.
Adirondack group says proposed EPA cuts will bring return of acid rain and health problems - WCAX, Mar 18, 2025
The Trump administration has ordered severe cuts to environmental programs across the country. For decades, the Adirondack Council has fought to reduce pollution from the midwest that harms the people and places of the Adirondack Park. Without federal monitoring and enforcement, air pollution will increase and have negative impacts on the waters, woods, wildlife and communities of the Adirondacks.
‘A profound gift’: How Long Lake will benefit from Whitney Park sale - Adirondack Explorer, Mar 8, 2025
As one of the last privately held massive parcels in the Adirondacks, the 36,000-acre Whitney property has long been viewed as a key part of Adirondack conservation efforts. With the unexpected death of owner John Hendrickson last year, there were many questions regarding the property. Recently, it was announced that the town of Long Lake would be the beneficiary of any sale, which could have a huge impact on the community. If the state purchases some of all of the property, the tax base for the town would also greatly increase.
State Assembly passes resolution honoring Adirondack Council’s 50th anniversary - Adirondack Almanac, Mar 6, 2025
During the annual Adirondack Park Lobby Day in Albany, Assemblymembers Billy Jones and Deborah Glick welcomed Adirondack Council board members and staff to the floor of the state assembly. The assembly then passed a bipartisan resolution honoring the Council’s 50 years of conservation leadership and the role the organization plays in elevating the importance of the Adirondack Park.
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Justin Levine joined the Council staff in 2021 as the Communications and Outreach Assistant. He previously worked as a regional marketing manager for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and was an award-winning journalist and photographer for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and Lake Placid News. Since graduating from Paul Smith’s College in 2004, Justin has worked in the environmental field in various roles in both the Adirondacks and Florida. When not working, Justin loves spending time with his family, running, and doing all the outdoor things the Park has to offer.
