Forest Preserve

Debar Pond Lodge: History & Controversy

October 2, 2023 by Editorial Staff 3 Comments

For the past 20 years – but increasingly over the past three years – state legislators, local and regional government officials, state agencies, environmental and economic development groups, and others have deliberated over the future of Debar Pond Lodge, which was built in about 1940.

The 10-bedroom lodge and support buildings are located on New York State “Forever Wild” Forest Preserve land in the Northern Adirondack Park town of Duane, Franklin County, and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [Read more…] about Debar Pond Lodge: History & Controversy

6 Years Later Warrensburg Addition to Lake George Wild Forest Still Awaits Approval

September 13, 2023 by Anthony F. Hall Leave a Comment

The 837-acre Huckleberry Mountain Forest tract in Warrensburg, Warren County, which New York State acquired from the Open Space Institute in 2017, will, in all likelihood, become part of the Lake George Wild Forest and be subject to the strictures of an updated Lake George Wild Forest Unit Management Plan. [Read more…] about 6 Years Later Warrensburg Addition to Lake George Wild Forest Still Awaits Approval

DEC Releases New Forest Preserve Work Policy

September 8, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized DEC’s Commissioner Policy 78 (CP-78), the Forest Preserve Work Plan Policy. This policy is expected to serve as a guide for newly proposed projects and the evaluation of their site-specific impacts to the environment and character of the New York State Forest Preserve. [Read more…] about DEC Releases New Forest Preserve Work Policy

State Acquires Land on Upper Saranac Lake

July 23, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the acquisition from the Adirondack Land Trust of five acres of forest lands along the southeastern shore of Upper Saranac Lake. The parcel includes 570 feet of undeveloped shoreline, helping to keep a mile-long stretch of shoreline between Indian Carry and Indian Point undeveloped. [Read more…] about State Acquires Land on Upper Saranac Lake

Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan Comments Sought

July 22, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public comment on the draft Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan (UMP). The draft UMP includes six State forests — Hogsback, Popple Pond, Woodhull, Punkeyville, Black Creek, and Hinckley — as well as 24 separate parcels of detached Forest Preserve in Oneida and Herkimer counties and will guide management of these properties over the next 10 years. [Read more…] about Adirondack Foothills Unit Management Plan Comments Sought

Report: Crowds Impacting Adirondack High Peaks

July 7, 2023 by Editorial Staff 3 Comments

The Adirondack Council has released a report commissioned in early 2021 looking at visitation and recreation patterns in specific areas of the High Peaks Wilderness Complex in the Adirondacks. [Read more…] about Report: Crowds Impacting Adirondack High Peaks

Belleayre Ski Center Management Plan Released

June 16, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) have released the final Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Belleayre Ski Center. Belleayre Ski Center is located in Highmount in the town of Shandaken, Ulster County, within the Catskill Forest Preserve and is the only State-operated ski center in the Catskills. [Read more…] about Belleayre Ski Center Management Plan Released

137 Acres Adjacent to Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Conserved

June 11, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Adirondack Land Trust on May 11, 2023 purchased 137 acres in St. Huberts to maintain public recreational access and conserve natural forests, including 1,844 feet of floodplain on the East Branch of the Ausable River. The land trust will hold this parcel for transfer to New York State for addition to the constitutionally protected Forest Preserve, along with 25 adjoining acres. [Read more…] about 137 Acres Adjacent to Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Conserved

Increase In Adirondack Park Roads Approved By Adirondack Park Agency

June 4, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) Board rendered an important Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) interpretation at its May 11th, 2023, board meeting regarding road mileage on Wild Forest classified lands in the Adirondack Park. The board declared a baseline for road mileage that existed on Wild Forest in 1972, and an increase in mileage that could be added which it said would be in compliance with the APSLMP. [Read more…] about Increase In Adirondack Park Roads Approved By Adirondack Park Agency

Logging, Forestry, Wildfires & Forest Rangers: William Fox’s Legacy

May 23, 2023 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

Driving by the Saratoga Tree Nursery, just south of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), most barely notice the state tree nursery’s rustic entrance sign – and you need to squint to see that its full name is “Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery.” The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which owns the nursery, considers William Fox the “father” of today’s DEC forest ranger program, as well at the guy who believed the state should raise young trees for later replanting.

Yet the story of the 19th century Ballston Spa native, who also served with valor in the Civil War, is little-known to the general public. [Read more…] about Logging, Forestry, Wildfires & Forest Rangers: William Fox’s Legacy