Blog

It's troubling to hear the Trump transition team talk about gutting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and bringing back coal as a fuel for making electricity. Burning coal leads to acid rain, mercury contamination, and climate change. New York has some of the best clean air laws in the nation, but they aren't enough to protect the Adirondack Park from smokestacks in the Ohio Valley, if they start burning coal again.

As we enjoy the holiday season, reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the next, will you do one more thing for the Adirondacks? There's still time to send a letter to the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and tell them that you want motor-free Wilderness for the Boreas Ponds. The APA will accept your comments until Friday, December 30.

The Adirondacks are covered in a beautiful blanket of fresh snow. The weather outside is cold and blustery. As you walk though the woods, you may notice the distinct scent of balsam, or hear a bird quietly flutter by. The Adirondacks sure are a beautiful place this time of year. It's peaceful and quiet outdoors, yet communities are bustling with holiday shoppers and skiers.

"Lingchi" or "death by a thousand cuts" was once a gruesome act that now stands as a metaphor, encouraging all of us to be wise in considering cumulative impacts of any given activity. Our public lands, roads and health continue to play host to a litany of "tiny cuts" that when viewed as a whole paint a very clear picture that shows why we must enact broad reforms to ATV legislation in this legislative session.

Hundreds of people from across New York State turned out at hearings hosted by the Adirondack Park Agency in November and December to express their opinions on how the state should classify the Boreas Ponds tract. We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that has taken the time to write and speak up for Wilderness!

This time of year, it's hard to see past the madness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions. It seems like many people are focused on getting their holiday shopping done before December even begins. Enter, Giving Tuesday. A "holiday" created in 2012 to use social media and collaboration to kick off year-end giving for non-profit and charitable organizations.

Adirondack farms give a wide range of benefits to the communities they belong to and to the environment that surrounds us all...and it must continue. Adirondack farms are thriving, but their success is hard-won in a region with many challenges, such as severe weather, dwindling local economies and rocky, acidic soils.

Camp Fowler, on the shores of Sacandaga Lake near Speculator, teaches kids more than how to make s'mores. Camp Director Kent Busman and his staff are completing an environmental transformation that will teach the campers about living sustainably, conserving energy and saving money.

The people of New York were right to welcome moose back, and we are right to continue protecting them. State officials should not now, or anytime soon, open a hunting season on moose.

Earlier this year, Amber Pitcher of Berne, NY entered the Adirondack Council Forever Wild photo contest. Now, Amber and Ariel, her rescue husky-golden retriever-Labrador mix, are both proud members of the Adirondack 46'ers and Catskill 3500's. We talk with Amber about what inspired her to get on the trails with Ariel.