Blog

Across the world, people from 150 nations have signed up to take part in Plastic Free July to tackle this issue. Are you ready to reduce plastic in your life?

As July ushers in warmer than usual temperatures in the mountains of the Adirondacks, it is only natural to want to be near the water. With an abundance of cool rivers and streams, the Park is home to some of the best water based recreation in New York State. For many, the idea of throwing on a pair of swimming trunks and grabbing a fishing pole to go chase some trout on a shady little stream is part of the summer ritual. But what seems like innocent fun can have lethal consequences, especially if you are not planning on keeping what you catch.

I've always loved hummingbirds. They are interesting creatures and have many unique qualities. Some of these qualities are physical features, others are quirky behaviors. I bet you know a few of these, but others may surprise you. Read on to find learn about the world's tiniest bird.

Invasive species are harmful to ecological, economic and human health. Invasive species are those that are not native to a particular area but are spread there through accidental or intentional means. Humans are the main contributors to this, as we regularly travel throughout different habitats, inadvertently bringing invasives along with us. Once invasives are introduced to a new environment, their populations grow quickly due to a lack of natural predators. Learn how you can identify invasive species in the Adirondacks and do your part to stop the spread.

For over 40 years, the Adirondack Council has been an effective, non-partisan advocate for the Adirondacks. In both Albany and the Adirondacks, our conservation advocacy and education is ongoing. Looking back over this past fiscal year, we’ve accomplished a lot of good for the Adirondacks. We owe thanks to our tens of thousands of advocates across the nation who support our mission and vision and count on the Council to be the watchdog for the Adirondack Park.

The New York State Legislative Session quietly came to a close June 20, with a lot of work left undone for the Adirondacks. There were some positive things in the state budget that passed near the end of March, but most of the rest of Adirondack conservation agenda was left on the table.

Adirondack Conservation News is a collection of the most 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. Here's the June edition.

With the arrival of warmer weather, we're all anxious to get outside and have some fun. But we must be on the look-out for the tiny creatures that can make us and our pets sick…ticks! Unfortunately, ticks and tick-borne illnesses are on the rise. So now more than ever, we must be vigilant to protect ourselves, our families and our furry friends from ticks and the diseases they can pass on.

With more than 5,000 miles of public highways in the Adirondack Park, even small decisions about seasonal maintenance can have a major impact on the Park’s long term health. A recent study by Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) of 358 private wells across the Adirondack Park found that salt used to clear ice and snow from roads in the wintertime is contaminating groundwater and seeping into private wells at an alarming rate.

The Adirondack Council is pleased to welcome Revée Needham as our Colgate University Upstate Institute Summer Field School Fellow who is working in our Elizabethtown office. Enjoy the blog that Revée wrote to introduce herself.