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While the High Peaks are a great challenge for hikers, as well as fun to climb and explore, they are also the natural habitat for many alpine organisms. In honor of Habitat Awareness Day this past Sunday, I began to reflect on these habitats that are often forgotten.

During the last week of August the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe alerted the region to the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB) on tribal lands in northern Franklin County just outside the Adirondack Park. Black ash (a swamp species) is highly prized for basket-making by many northeastern tribes. Old reports dating back to the 1820’s (including one by Gifford Pinchot) on forests of the west-central Adirondacks, suggest that black ash was far more common then than it is currently.  The emerald ash borer could now be the death knell for the species throughout its range.   

As the famed preservationist John Muir once said “the mountains are calling and I must go”. In late August, I heeded John’s advice and headed up to Sleeping Beauty Mountain in the Lake George Wild Forest. I had not ventured on hiking trails outside of the High Peaks Wilderness before, but was truly thrilled I had made the decision to do so, and Sleeping Beauty seemed just the place to start.

Whether your adventure partner is a human or a dog, it’s important to be mindful of the impact your pack is making along the way. Dogs help us make new memories, while we experience and enjoy the Adirondacks. But bringing them along adds four more paw prints that impact the land we come to enjoy. We chatted with a few of our favorite ADK dogs and their owners about how they stay safe, and leave no trace when they head out for an adventure in the Adirondacks.

In July, my colleague Jackie and I had the opportunity to experience field biology first hand when Matt Schlesinger from the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) invited us and a few others to help him with a rare dragonfly survey in a bog in the Debar Mountain Wild Forest. I came away with the realization that field biology is not for the faint of heart. It is a career that requires patience, perseverance, and, most importantly, a really positive attitude. I now appreciate the work of field biologists even more.

It’s not often we would venture outside the Adirondacks in the summer time, but there are exceptions. Recently, Council Executive Director Willie Janeway and Communications Director and our resident historian on acid rain policy John Sheehan went to Washington, D.C. to save the funding for acid rain research and monitoring in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) budget.

When you spend time outdoors, you probably notice that you return home feeling refreshed, at peace and calm. There is science behind the physical and mental benefits of spending time in nature. Many studies show that spending time outside, in the Adirondacks or even in a public park, on a bike path, or in the garden, can improve your overall well-being.

On Saturday, July 8, over 200 people gathered in Overlook Park in Newcomb for the Adirondack Council’s Forever Wild Day. Despite the rain showers, everyone had a great time. We hope you enjoy the pictures from the event.

The Adirondack Council will present this year’s Conservationist of the Year award to Mike Carr of the Adirondack Land Trust. Mike was also Executive Director of the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy for 16 years. In our blog, founding director of the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and past winner of the Conservationist of the Year Award Tim Barnett recalls hiring Mike.

On Saturday, July 8 in Newcomb, we will recognize the extraordinary work by photographer Carl Heilman II as we present him with our Park Communicator award. Carl is an internationally published photographer and author. He started climbing the High Peaks on a pair of handcrafted snowshoes in the 1970’s and continues to explore and photograph the mountains and lakes, while pursuing his passion for portraying the unique beauty of the Adirondack Park.