Blog

In this blog, you can read about the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus' visit to the Park, the Governor's appointment of John Ernst to chair the APA, and more.

This month's blog focuses on Gypsy Moth caterpillars, good news on Forest Rangers and ECOs, and much more!

Adirondack Conservation News is a collection of the current events taking place in New York’s Adirondack Park. It aims to highlight both threats and opportunities concerning the Park’s ecological integrity, wild character, and community vibrancy.

The state's High Peaks Wilderness Overuse Advisory Group (HPAG) released its final recommendations calling for immediate actions to manage overuse to preserve wilderness and protect public safety in the Adirondack High Peaks. These consensus recommendations are wide-ranging, covering topics from specific suggestions for education efforts already underway to long-ranging plans to build infrastructure, stakeholder engagement, and increase funding and staffing across the High Peaks.

Some hikers may pride themselves in “bagging” a certain number of peaks in a weekend. But it's good to slow down and take a little extra time to foster a deeper connection to and appreciation for the environment where you are hiking.

There is no doubt that being able to get outside has been a key part in moving through the COVID-19 pandemic for many. Recreating in the outdoors is beneficial for our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Like our food, housing, criminal justice, and many other systems, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the holes in our outdoor recreation and wildlands management systems.

In the 2020 New York State Budget, Governor Cuomo and the Legislature authorized sending the $3 billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act to the polls in November, where it requires final approval by the voters. This is an extraordinary chance for the state to invest in Adirondack water, wildlife and wildlands, and create jobs that will support local communities and protect public health.

Each year, the New York State budget is an opportunity for state leaders to renew their commitments to supporting Adirondack Park wilderness, wildlife and communities. Just like how aspects of our daily lives seem to be affected by this unprecedented global health pandemic., this year's budget process was also impacted. Despite overwhelming challenges, the Governor and the Legislature made it clear with the passage of this budget that the fight against climate change, wilderness preservation, clean water, and a vibrant Adirondack Park will remain a priority for New York State.

“Lessons from the Trail” is a blog series that discusses what the author, Charlotte Staats, has learned from living and working in the Adirondack Park. Charlotte Staats lives and recreates in the Adirondacks, and spent five seasons working on a backcountry trail crew that specializes in working in wilderness areas. The blog series will discuss her experience on trail crew, what she learned while working in backcountry settings, and the challenges she has seen facing the Adirondacks.

In 2019, there were many successes that helped reaffirm the status of the Adirondack Park as a national treasure including the creation of a task force to help address overuse in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and the strongest climate law in the country. It has been a critical year in Adirondack conservation.