Accomplishments

With strong partner organizations, collaboration with elected/appointed government officials, and citizen participation, the Council successfully advocates for policies and funding that benefit the environment and communities of the Adirondack Park.

2021-2022 Accomplishments

Wilderness: Ensuring the wild character and ecological integrity of the Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve.

• Wilderness Preservation and Access for Current and Future Generations: For over five years the State and key partners studied the problem, tested ideas and finalized a report written with assistance from the Council. This year, the State expanded funding and implemented more recommendations; $8.6 million was approved this year for wilderness overuse, education, stewards, sustainable trails, improved trailheads and access, and a small pilot permit system; and $600,000 for third party visitor use management expertise. The State also started a new Forest Ranger academy and hired more assistant forest rangers.
• $400 million Environmental Protection Fund with $40 Million for Open Space: The state EPF increased by $100 million. Funds for fair market value acquisitions or conservation easements increased by $10 million.
• Defending Forever Wild Article XIV: State constitutional protections were, again, successfully defended.

Vibrant Communities: Fostering a more resilient, sustainable Adirondack Park with vibrant communities.

• Jobs: The Council’s Forever Adirondacks campaign advocacy created a $2.1 million Timbuctoo Summer Climate and Careers Institute for City University of New York students and others with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Newcomb. The institute will be a new jobs pipeline to the Park.
• Broadband: A local community priority, for jobs, the Council helped secure over $1 billion and eliminated the utility fee barrier to last mile connections, so help expand Park broadband connectivity.
• Diversity and Education: Increased funds for the Adirondack Diversity Initiative and Visitor Interpretive Centers in Newcomb & Paul Smiths.

Water & Air: Fighting for clean water and clean air; combating invasive species and climate change.

• Clean Water Infrastructure: Over a dozen Adirondack communities, including Peru and Ticonderoga, received clean water grant funds over the last year totaling over $28 million in funds toward their clean water projects. Over the course of five years, the NYS Clean Water Fund, which the Council helped secure the creation of, has awarded $88 million to Park communities to keep pollution out of Adirondack waters. An additional $500 million was allocated to the Fund this year.
• Road Salt Task Force: The task force started meeting and writing recommendations and a pilot program.
• Mandatory Inspection of Boats for Invasives: The state moved to implement the new law adopted last year.
• New Wetlands Protections: Amended state law expanded state-wide and Park wetland protections.
• Survey of Climate and Adirondack Lake Ecosystems: $500,000 granted for critical research and monitoring.

Farms and Forests: Preserving open space and supporting working forests and farms

• Adirondack Council Essex Farm Institute Grants to Champlain Valley Farms and Farmers: 15 micro-grants totaling $32,000 were awarded to farmers and value-added food producers for climate-friendly farming. 

Leadership and Government: Leading, expanding, and diversifying the Park’s constituency.

• VISION 2050: The Council released VISION 2050, a long-range vision for the Park. The report was informed by three years of input from over 100 local, regional and national stakeholders, and scientists. It responds to threats and opportunities with 250 recommendations to preserve ecology, sustain communities and improve park management.
• The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian State Legislative Caucus: The Council hosted the Caucus in the Adirondacks. They experienced the Park, learned about its history with the abolitionist and suffrage movements, and conservation. They adopted an agenda including Park needs, needs of BIPOC and other communities, and environmental justice.
• Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Bond Act: Governor Hochul and the Legislature approved a $4.2 Billion proposal for capital projects that curb greenhouse gasses and combats climate change. Wilderness protection, green energy, and energy conservation benefit the Park’s ecology, economy and public health. The Council and a coalition of more than 175 organizations support voter approval on November 8, 2022.