Adirondack Environment
Within the millions of acres of protected land, scientists are studying our changing environment. We, too, have been following these changes: The emergence of invasive species that threaten the health of our trees and waters. The shifts in migrating birds returning to the Adirondacks. And the return of moose, wolves and other mammals.
The thread that weaves through all our reporting is the balance between the man-made environment and the natural world. That plays out with debates around how to manage the close-to 3 million acres of state-owned land in the Adirondack Park.
Dams: An investigation
A look at the park’s aging dams
Explorer investigation spotlights safety needs of Adirondack dams
Explorer investigation spotlights safety needs of Adirondack structures
Do dams belong in places meant to be ‘untrammeled by man?’
Old dams present inherent tension in wilderness areas
Can dams weather climate change?
Dams have historically helped create drinking water, power and food. In an era of a warming planet, dams could create havoc.
Hard-earned lessons to improve dam safety
Sometimes it takes a disaster to get the policy gears in motion
DIVE DEEP INTO ADIRONDACK ISSUES
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WATER QUALITY
St. Armand to buy Paul Smith’s College land that holds town’s water supply
Long history of divided ownership over Bloomingdale water supply could wrap for $300,000
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe leads effort to curb road salt pollution
New technology includes outfitting snow removal trucks with cameras and sensors to track salt use and optimize operations
Salt success: How Lake Placid rallied to save Mirror Lake
Community's efforts to reduce salt use, divert runoff has helped bring a key Adirondack lake back from the brink
Results are in for milfoil-killing herbicide used in Adirondack lakes
Lakes using the herbicide ProcellaCOR find it effective at killing invasive milfoil and more continue to eye its use
CLIMATE CHANGE
Flooding, housing, energy-efficiency rise to top of North Country residents’ climate concerns
Findings revealed at annual Adirondack Climate Conference
Bill McKibben speaks to importance of renewable energy
This Q&A featured Bill McKibben, a prominent climate activist, discussing the current state of climate change and renewable energy solutions.
Adirondack officials alarmed by possible FEMA changes
A federal council will be tasked with evaluating FEMA in the coming months, leaving its fate uncertain in the coming year.
What is ‘Cap and Invest’?
New York’s plan to put a price on carbon is still on hold. But here’s how it would work, if and when it gets off the ground.
WILDLIFE
Bird flu confirmed in Willsboro dead bald eagle
Test results in on bird found dead in December
DEC plans ‘reclamation’ of Echo Pond, killing fish so others may thrive
Longstanding practice aims to restore brook trout
Bear family death: What really happened in Old Forge
The last hours of the bear trio known to frequent the hamlet of Old Forge were detailed in an incident report the Explorer received.
Avian flu: DEC urges public to report suspected cases
Biologists looking to track cases to find out where it is on the landscape.
INVASIVE SPECIES
ProcellaCOR herbicide use expanded to more Adirondack waters in 2024
Lake George sees first chemical management of invasive plants as herbicide use grows across Adirondack waters
New director on the ‘never-ending’ fight against invasive species in the Adirondack Park
Brian Greene discusses the challenges facing Adirondack Park as it loses its natural defenses against invasive species, emphasizing the role of herbicides in future conservation efforts
Adirondack Rail Trail users invited to join the fight against invasive plants
Visitors encouraged to use 'Play, Clean, Go' approach to stopping the spread
First documented sighting of invasive tree killer in the Adirondack Park’s Essex County
Emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that kills ash trees, was caught in a trap in mid-July in Essex County, state officials have confirmed.
ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACTS
New state website tracks $4.2B environmental bond spending
Interactive map shows projects funded by bond act and what funds are still available.
Lawmakers double down on clean water funding
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle shared frustrations with the governor’s $250 million clean water cut.
Adirondacks absent from 1st round of $4B bond act awards
Money from a $4.2 billion environmental bond act voters passed last fall is starting to flow, but so far, not to the Adirondacks.
Breaking down the bond act
The state is drafting criteria for spending from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
Adirondacks absent from 1st round of $4B bond act awards
Money from a $4.2 billion environmental bond act voters passed last fall is starting to flow, but so far, not to the Adirondacks.
2022 Explored: New York’s environmental bond acts
Nearly 60% of New York voters authorized the state to borrow $4.2 billion for an environmental bond act, the first such act since 1996.
1996 Bond Act lookback: Adirondack land conservation
How $150 million from the 1996 Environmental Bond Act was used for open space and farmland protection
With an environmental bond act before voters, a look back to 1996
New York voters will decide on unprecedented state debt for environmental projects, something they have not been asked to do in 26 years.