Accomplishments during 2009

Introducing PROTECT

• Consolidation – The members of RCPA and AFPA voted to consolidate in July, 2009. PROTECT has achieved a combined membership of 5,000, with over half full-time residents.
• Park presence – We adopted a distinguishing new logo and advertising, moved PROTECT to new offices in Saranac Lake, and sponsored six events.
• Endowment – PROTECT received a $200,000 endowment from the Johanson Family for our private land conservation and stewardship initiatives.

Park Advocacy

• Park Greenways – we joined citizens in Forestport in effective advocacy before State agencies to scale back proposed clear-cutting of utility rights of way along State Route 28 in the SW Adirondacks.
• Park Waters – PROTECT continues to oppose large projects which threaten the quality and integrity of Park streams, ponds and groundwaters. Examples include our effective action in a coalition formed in opposition to the massive Adirondack Club and Resort proposal near Tupper Lake, and our efforts with local citizens in Greig to prevent commercial exploitation of local waters.
• Climate Action – PROTECT is an active partner with the State’s Climate Action Plan, actively working on initiatives related to wildlife and landscape connectivity, carbon sequestration in FSC-certified forests, and biofuels from certified forests.

Forever Wild

• Indian Lake – Federal Energy Regulatory Authority withdrew a preliminary permit to study hydropower at Indian Lake Dam. Developing hydropower at this location would violate the Constitution and Rivers Act.
• Lows Lake – PROTECT was a leader in a coalition that achieved new wilderness adjoining Lows and Bog Lakes, and regulations that will end all float plane activity on Lows Lake.
• Motorized Uses – our advocacy to close Old Mountain Road to motorized vehicles bolstered DEC staff and the Town of Keene to take action in recognition of the primitive qualities, wildlife and remote recreation here.
• Snowmobile Policies – PROTECT has been an effective critic of guidelines for snowmobile trails in portions of the public Forest Preserve, the subject of intense debate at the APA and DEC.

Partners in Stewardship

• Forest Sustainability Project - PROTECT is the only nonprofit advocate in the Park working with SmartWood to provide FSC certification to landowners and forest product businesses. PROTECT added approximately 10,000 acres this year, expanding our portfolio to over 23,000 FSC certified acres.
• Adirondack Lake Assessment – in summer 2009, we worked with more than 70 lakeshore associations in the Park to monitor the water quality of their lakes and ponds, in association with Paul Smith’s College Watershed Institute. Ours is the only voluntarily-run water quality program of its size.
• Conservation Easement Reform – PROTECT organized the first workshop on Conservation Easement Reform in the Adirondacks, involving forest landowners, land trusts, and State representatives. Recommendations emerging from the workshop will be followed-up.

Education for Action

• Center for the Forest Preserve and Adirondack Research Library (ARL) - The Center for the Forest Preserve attracted 1500 visitors this past year through use of the ARL, lectures, after-school programs, musical performances, art exhibitions, field studies, workshops, and more.
• ARL acquired several important private and organizational collections. Many rare books were catalogued. The Library’s 30th anniversary was observed with a special leadership challenge gift of $10,000 in support of the ARL’s Librarian and Archivist.
• Adirondack Park Stewardship Training – Training programs were conducted at Cornell University, Paul Smith’s College and SUNY Plattsburgh. Intensive Training was provided over a 4-day period at the Center and in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness. Over 400 students have taken part since the program’s inception.