5 Things You Need to Know | March 2024 ADK Conservation News
By Justin A. Levine - Communications Associate
Thursday, April 4, 2024
The Adirondack Council’s Rewilding Advocate, John Davis, has dedicated his career to securing wildlife corridors in and around the Adirondacks. Davis, who also serves as Executive Director of the Rewilding Institute, has helped identify key parcels in the Champlain Valley that create a safer way for wildlife to move between Lake Champlain and the High Peaks. His rewilding efforts also include the Adirondacks to Algonquin (A2A) corridor, which connects the Adirondacks to Canada’s Algonquin Provincial Park.
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Safety measures urged for total solar eclipse watchers in the Adirondacks
Thousands of people are expected to come to the Adirondacks to view a full solar eclipse on April 8, and organizations of all stripes are offering words of warning. Local officials are warning of traffic and vehicle safety as roads will likely be crowded, while the Adirondack Council and others are encouraging people to avoid hiking in the sensitive and unpredictable mountains. Ecological and personal harm are major concerns with hikers at this time of year.
How to enjoy the April 8 eclipse in the Adirondacks with minimal environmental impact
With recent snow and delicate plants and soils, the mountains of the Adirondacks are in a precarious state each spring. However, a total solar eclipse on April 8 will be bringing thousands of people to the Park to view the celestial event. The Adirondack Council has been warning for months that folks should avoid hiking for the eclipse due to personal and ecological concerns, but there are still dozens of ways and places to enjoy the eclipse without venturing into the backcountry.
DEC mulls baitfish restrictions to protect brook trout habitat
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is reviewing its management of brook trout populations and recently held a few public information sessions. The Adirondack Park is one of only a few places in the U.S. where brook trout, despite their name, can live the entirety of their lives within lakes and ponds. However, these populations are susceptible to numerous threats, including from climate change and the introduction of different fish species. These competitive fish, often introduced as bait fish, pose a serious problem for native trout populations. While bait fish are already prohibited in many water bodies across the Adirondacks, the DEC proposals would increase the number of ponds and lakes where bait fish would be banned.
Cool Runnings: Scouts meet bobsled team
The Jamaican Bobsled Team has taken up residence in Saranac Lake as it continues to train at Olympic Regional Development Authority facilities in Lake Placid. The team, which is being housed at the Hotel Saranac, recently welcomed a group of Scouts from New York City to the North Country. The Scouts were also treated to a brief education on the Adirondack Park, as well as the wonders of the Tri-Lakes, such as The Wild Center and John Brown Farm. The long weekend excursion was a joint effort of the Adirondack Council, the North Country Sports Council, Hydro Quebec, and state Senator Leroy Comrie.
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Justin Levine joined the Council staff in 2021 as the Communications and Outreach Assistant. He previously worked as a regional marketing manager for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and was an award-winning journalist and photographer for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and Lake Placid News. Since graduating from Paul Smith’s College in 2004, Justin has worked in the environmental field in various roles in both the Adirondacks and Florida. When not working, Justin loves spending time with his family, running, and doing all the outdoor things the Park has to offer.
