By Zachary Tarrant – Legislative Intern
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Briefly Describe Your Role At The Council
As the Clarence Petty Legislative Intern, I am part of the Council’s government relations team and work to advance our legislative priorities in Albany. I am responsible for tracking legislation, conducting policy research, organizing lobby days, monitoring press coverage of the Adirondack Park and the Council, and assisting Council staff.
It’s 5:00 on a Friday and you’re leaving the office for the weekend. Where are you going, what are you doing?
At 5:00 on a Friday, I’m on my way to hang out with friends or explore somewhere new. Whether it’s a restaurant I’ve never tried, a park I’ve never walked through, or a city I’ve never been to, I’m always seeking new experiences. When the weather’s warmer, I look forward to spending my weekends exploring the trails and lakes of the capital region and the Adirondacks.
What’s one thing people don’t know about the Adirondacks, but should?
At over 6 million acres, the Adirondack Park is the largest park in the contiguous United States. Notably, the majority of the park is private land and the rest is publicly-owned forest preserve. Human communities are surrounded by vast swaths of dense forest, pristine lakes, and breathtaking peaks. Countless species traverse the lands and waters of the Park. The Adirondacks are a living, breathing example of how humans and nature can coexist and thrive.
What is one issue that we are engaged in that means a lot to you?
At the core of the Council’s work is the preservation of the wild character of the Adirondack Park. Having grown up visiting the Park, I know the transformational power of experiencing its natural beauty, and I am confident it will continue to inspire new generations of environmentalists. I am also passionate about conservation as a means to protect wildlife, safeguard human health, and mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Adirondacks are New York’s crown jewel, and I am honored to work to preserve them for the decades and centuries to come.
Looking for more ways to get involved with the Council?