The New York State Board for Historic Preservation has recommended 23 properties and districts to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. The nominations include an octagonal circus house in Cortland County, an intact Catskills mountain lodge in Ulster County, a railroad focused historic district in Clinton County, the legendary Holcombe Rucker Park Basketball Court in New York City, and many more. [Read more…] about 23 Nominations to State and National Registers
Lewis County
Rangers Report Multiple Rescues of Lost, Injured Hikers
The most recent New York State Forest Rangers Report includes efforts to rescue more than a half dozen hikers lost or with knee or lower leg injuries in the Adirondacks and Catskills. [Read more…] about Rangers Report Multiple Rescues of Lost, Injured Hikers
A Common Adirondack Public and Private Stewardship
Keith McKeever, retiring Public Information Director at the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), accepted much-deserved recognition at their recent meeting for his many years of admirable public service. In his short acceptance remarks, Keith implored all listening “to hold the line” for the Adirondack Park’s open space.
Keith’s message, as I recall it, was that the goal of protecting private open space is connected quite directly to the goal of more community development including necessary infrastructure directed to the Park’s settled areas in Hamlet and Moderate Intensity Use areas. [Read more…] about A Common Adirondack Public and Private Stewardship
Forest Rangers Recover Body, Make Several Rescues of Lost, Injured, Unprepared
More hikers in the woods and nicer weather led to several NYS Forest Ranger missions to rescue injured, lost, or unprepared people in the backcountry of the Adirondacks, Catskills, and elsewhere around New York. They also recovered a man’s body in the Croghan Tract Conservation Easement in Lewis County. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Body, Make Several Rescues of Lost, Injured, Unprepared
NYS Forest Rangers Fight Numerous Wildfires Across the State
New York State Forest Rangers spent several days fighting at least six wildfires throughout upstate from April 23rd to April 26th which burned nearly 30 acres.
The annual New York State statewide burn ban prohibiting residential brush burning is in effect through May 14, 2026. Open burning of brush, leaves, and debris is banned, with violators facing minimum fines of $500. [Read more…] about NYS Forest Rangers Fight Numerous Wildfires Across the State
Searching for Ligar’s Lake & Other Adirondack Postcard Mysteries
Simply mentioning “The Adirondacks” can be a great conversation starter, but there are so many Adirondack peaks, lakes, nooks, and crannies that you’ll be asked exactly where in “The Adirondacks” you’re referring to. And, in return, folks will likely have an Adirondack spot of their own to share — fishing the Independence for example, Canada Lake at dawn, a winter view of Moxham Mountain – the possibilities seem infinite. [Read more…] about Searching for Ligar’s Lake & Other Adirondack Postcard Mysteries
Rangers Kept Busy With Hunter, Hiker and Angler Missions
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Kept Busy With Hunter, Hiker and Angler Missions
Curt Stager’s ‘Field Notes from the Northern Forest’ Published
In Field Notes from the Northern Forest (North Country Books 2025), Curt Stager draws on scientific literature and on his own observations to share his curiosity about the natural world alongside illustrations by Lake Placid naturalist Anne E. Lacy
With the same humor and personable ease that characterizes the popular weekly nature program that he co-produces on North Country Public Radio (NCPR), these 20 natural science essays take readers to ground level to explore the lives of animals, plants, and fungi commonly encountered in the conifer, hardwood, and mixed wood forests of northeastern North America. [Read more…] about Curt Stager’s ‘Field Notes from the Northern Forest’ Published
Philip Terrie’s ‘Wild Forest Lands’ Revisits Adirondack History & Culture
The Adirondack Forest Preserve is the largest publicly protected wilderness in the Eastern United States, with a state constitutional provision guaranteeing that it be “forever kept as wild forest lands.”
But just what does “wilderness” mean today? How has our understanding of that concept shifted, from the colonial implications of the term as first applied to the Adirondacks to a more inclusive usage, still contested, today? [Read more…] about Philip Terrie’s ‘Wild Forest Lands’ Revisits Adirondack History & Culture
Croghan Wildfire Burns More Than 20 Acres
On October 5th four Forest Rangers, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, Lewis County Emergency Management and the Castorland, Croghan, and New Breman Fire Departments responded to a wildland fire burning leaf litter and measuring almost 23 acres in the town of Croghan in Lewis County.
Fire departments knocked down most of the active flames around the perimeter, but as of 8 pm, the fire was only 20 percent contained. Two Rangers continued patrolling the fire overnight. [Read more…] about Croghan Wildfire Burns More Than 20 Acres
Drought Watch Issued for 20 New York Counties
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a Drought Watch for 20 New York counties because of a shortage of rainfall and declining levels of stream-flow and ground water. [Read more…] about Drought Watch Issued for 20 New York Counties
Adirondack Architectural Heritage Announces 30th Annual Preservation Awards
The Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) Annual Awards Program recognizes exemplary historic preservation work throughout the Adirondack Region, including examples of sensitive restoration, rehabilitation, and demonstrated long-term stewardship. [Read more…] about Adirondack Architectural Heritage Announces 30th Annual Preservation Awards
New State Record Brook Trout Caught in St. Regis Canoe Area
Benjamin Ferguson, a brook trout angler from Lowville, Lewis County, caught a 22-inch, six-pound three-ounce brookie from the St. Regis Canoe Area on July 5, 2025, edging out the 2013 state record brook trout by three ounces.
The record-breaking fish was caught while slow trolling a Lake Clear Wabbler. [Read more…] about New State Record Brook Trout Caught in St. Regis Canoe Area
Constable Hall: A Unique Lewis County House Museum
Constable Hall remains a clear reminder of the era when much of the land in Northern New York was settled in the late 1700s. Located on Constableville, in Lewis County, this Federal style limestone mansion with a Greek Revival portico was built in the early 1800s by members of the Constable family.
In 1792, Wiliam Constable, Alexander Macomb, and Daniel McCormick bought nearly four million acres of land known as the Macomb Purchase for 16 cents an acre (encompassing all of Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence and parts of Oswego, Herkimer and Franklin counties). [Read more…] about Constable Hall: A Unique Lewis County House Museum
Backcountry Rescues at Blue Hole, Hunter Mountain, Dry Brook Ridge
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Backcountry Rescues at Blue Hole, Hunter Mountain, Dry Brook Ridge
Immigrant Stories: A Rocky Path to Citizenship for a Scot
In 1888, William Robert Keay immigrated from Dundee in Scotland to the city of New York, eventually settling on Staten Island where we worked for 12 years as a landscape gardener. In 1899 he, his wife, and seven children moved to Lowville, in Lewis County.
He took a job as head gardener for Charles R. Scott, an underwriter for Equitable Insurance who had purchased a historic home, and “spent about $70,000 re-modelling the house, adding immense verandahs, generally changing the Colonial appearance of the place, adding elaborate stables, greenhouses and gardens.” When Scott died in 1902, his estate was sold to Congressman Charles L Knapp and his head gardener, William Keay, moved on to open his own florist business in the village. [Read more…] about Immigrant Stories: A Rocky Path to Citizenship for a Scot
2025 New York State Historic Preservation Awards Winners
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) has announced that 13 projects and individuals have been recognized with 2025 New York State Historic Preservation Awards. This year’s awards recognize several preservation advocates for their work in the field and highlight historic rehabilitation projects that have made impacts in New York’s communities, including initiatives that address food insecurity, generate incubator spaces for businesses, and create affordable housing units. [Read more…] about 2025 New York State Historic Preservation Awards Winners
Sand Flats State Forest Party Plan Thwarted by Police
On May 17 at about 9:20 pm, New York State Forest Rangers received a report about a possible underage drinking party at Sand Flats State Forest in the town of Lyonsdale in Lewis County. Rangers Cooley and Maxwell patrolled the area and discovered 10 individuals gathering. By about 11:20 pm, the number of individuals increased to 30 and Rangers learned that the party details had been shared on social media. A New York State Police unit and two additional Forest Rangers responded. [Read more…] about Sand Flats State Forest Party Plan Thwarted by Police
How Winter is Changing in the Tug Hill Region
Tug Hill receives the greatest average snowfall totals in New York State. In Harold Samson’s book Tug Hill Country; Tales from the Big Woods (1971) he wrote “Tug Hill is, and always has been, noted for its winter snows… In winter, the Tug Hill plateau becomes a vast wilderness of white; favorite playground of snowmobilers and other winter sports enthusiasts.”
An economic study in 2021 estimated that 34,254 unique snowmobile users ride Tug Hill’s trails each year, bringing in nearly $81.6 million in sales from snowmobile activity. A new study by the Tug Hill Commission hopes to better understand how our warming climate will affect the region and its winter sports industry in the years to come. [Read more…] about How Winter is Changing in the Tug Hill Region
Adirondack Park Invasive Species Report Issued
The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) has released its 2024 annual report.
The report celebrates the accomplishments of APIPP staff, volunteers, and partners while also providing updates on the presence of invasive species in the Adirondack region, special initiatives, ongoing research, and more. [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Invasive Species Report Issued