Blog

On Saturday, April 29, Adirondack Council staff, members and friends marched with 200,000 other environmental advocates from across the country at the People's Climate March in Washington DC. The march started around 2pm on at the foot of the U.S. Capitol and ended surrounding the White House. Despite the oppressive hot weather, spirits were high, and we enjoyed meeting many friendly faces.

In the Adirondacks, spring has just hit full stride. Various wildflowers, from Bloodroot, Dutchman's Breeches and Trilliums litter the forest floor with tender shoots and colorful blossoms. A time of rebirth and reawakening for many plants and animals, spring offers much more than just an eye-pleasing floral delight. For myself, spring means the return of wild edibles! Now it is way too early for wild mushrooms; and the fruit bearing shrubs, canes and vines barely have their green leaves, let alone any berries. I am talking ramps.

We're celebrating the Adirondack Park's 125th birthday by asking you, what do the Adirondacks mean to you? Local and visiting photographers celebrate the Park every day on social media. We hope you'll lend your talent to help us showcase what makes the Adirondacks so special by entering our photo contest.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Adirondack Park! On May 20, 1892, the New York State Legislature and Governor Roswell P. Flower created the Adirondack Park Enabling Act which essentially created the Park's Blue Line boundary. Come along as I tell the story of our Adirondack Park to celebrate its 125th Birthday!

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that Adirondack Park and North Country residents have developed strong and progressive opinions about environmental issues. The quality of our environment is the bedrock upon which the Park and its economy are based.

The Adirondack Council has just concluded its second grant cycle for the Cool Farms/Healthy Park Micro-Grants Program, and what a successful second year it was!

The Adirondack Council remains dedicated to fighting for the protection of our Adirondack Park. To help do our part, we will be participating in the People's Climate Movement - a march on Washington to stand up for our communities and climate. We are joining the fight against climate change and acid rain and to support Adirondack conservation.

Some of us lucky enough to inhabit the Adirondack Park year-round refer to early spring as "Mud Season." Mud, slush and soft ground surely are parts of the winter-to-spring transition here. We could as well call this lustiest time of year "Mating Season" or "Movement Season." For throughout spring, most wild animals are searching for mates, food for their young, nest sites, or new territories.

Local farmers and small entrepreneurs are on the front lines of the battle against climate change working hard to be economically and environmentally sustainable and resilient. That's why the Adirondack Council is supporting the growth of these farmers and small entrepreneurs with its micro-grant program.

In spite of the three feet of fresh snow on the ground from a whopper of a March snowstorm, the signs of spring are starting to wave the flag, announcing that the snow and ice will melt and the miracle of spring will "eventually" come to the Adirondacks.