Blog

North Country School’s designated “out-time” gives students a unique opportunity to grow as individuals and thinkers. For an hour and a half, Monday through Friday, they learn from the land, each other and their community in a natural environment. Additionally, the school leads outdoor trips every Saturday. By hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking, North Country School is encouraging their students to be comfortable in and maintain a respect for the outdoors.

Apple season is in full swing here in the Adirondacks and you’re likely to see farmers markets, stores, and peoples kitchens overflowing with bushels of local apples.This delicious fruit is a fall staple, but there is more than meets the eye in regards to its history and the impacts our changing climate could have on our apple crop.

This year New York voters will be asked to consider three ballot proposals on Election Day (Nov. 7). Two of the three should be very important to anyone who cares about the Adirondack Park. Proposal One will ask whether voters wish to hold a Constitutional Convention. Proposal Three, is a Constitutional Amendment that would create a modest land bank for Adirondack community health and safety projects.

Adirondack News is a collection of the most current events taking place in New York’s Adirondack Park, a unique national treasure and legacy we inherited over 100 years ago, that we have to protect for future generations. Adirondack News aims to highlight both threats and opportunities concerning the Park’s ecological integrity, wild character and community vibrancy.

In the spring of 2017, the Adirondack Council proudly awarded its second round of Cool Farms/Healthy Park micro-grants to 23 Adirondack farms and small businesses. These grants are designed to make local operations more environmentally friendly while helping them to remain -- or become -- an important part of a sustainable Adirondack economy. The grants may be used to fully fund a project or to supplement other funds and grants. Read below to learn about a few completed projects!

We have some great news. Last weeks cooler weather caused the colors to come alive almost overnight in the Eastern Adirondacks. Just in time for the holiday weekend, vibrant red, yellow and orange foliage was in full effect in the Wilmington, Keene, Elizabethtown, and Lake Placid area. The Lake George and Champlain Valley areas are starting to finally see some color as well...

This weekend is big for leaf-peeping and there are a lot of events happening in the Adirondacks! You can visit local Adirondack farms on the Essex County Cheese Tour, watch top ski jump talent compete at the Flaming Leaves Festival in Lake Placid, enjoy Harvestfest at Gore Mountain, take a tour on the Thurman Fall Farm Tour, or shop at the Long Lake Harvest Craft Fair, Westport Fall Festival, Warrensburg Garlic Festival, or the last Keene Farmers Market of the year. 

It takes just one quick look out your window to enjoy the beautiful array of reds, oranges and yellows produced by Adirondack foliage this time of year. However, hardwoods are not the only trees producing autumn color. Our own Diane Fish ventured out to Boreas Pond a few weeks ago and found a variety of coniferous trees displaying autumn colors.

It says it is September on the calendar, but the weather is telling us that it is summer this week. Today, the temps are back down to fall temps. In the Champlain region, we've noticed that the foliage seems to have "paused" with the warm weather. However, our friends in the Saranac Lake and Old Forge areas have seen a lot of color. Perhaps this warmer weather will extend the fall colors? Time will tell.

This week, we celebrated World Rivers Day on Saturday, September 30 by advocating for the health and respect of rivers in the Adirondacks and elsewhere. Today, while water quality in the Adirondack watersheds is generally very good, these areas still have prominent water quality challenges that have been a concern for quite some time.