Building Momentum Business and Communities Byways
Meet our staff Check out our 2012 accomplishments
Artisan Support Energy
Review our 2013 goals
Working Landscapes Join us Adirondack North Country Association
www.adirondack.org
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Energy u Launched energy efficiency program for residents and small
businesses in 10 counties, through two grants: Green Jobs, Green New York, a program to assist residents and small businesses in performing energy retrofit work, as well as access project financing. In addition, we have partnered with Workforce Development Institute to help contractors upgrade their skills to perform work in this emerging field. Energy $mart Communities: ANCA has partnered with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County to provide energy education, outreach services and clean energy business development
Energy conservation sure is getting a lot of needed attention. Being part of bringing positive change to homeowners, communities and our environment is rewarding and enjoyable. I’m fortunate to be doing that through ANCA. — Jamie Rogers, Energy Program Coordinator
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u Organized and hosted the first annual North Country Clean
Energy Conference in June 2012, which attracted more than 250 participants in 6 topic areas
u Took the lead on developing the North Country Regional
Economic Development Council’s vision goal of “Creating the Cleanest Energy Economy in the State”
u Played a key role in securing $1M through the Statewide
Cleaner Greener Communities program and are helping to create a Sustainability Plan for the North Country
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Jennifer Perry,
Merging human development with sustainable principles is a life-long aspiration of mine. Working for ANCA allows me the opportunity to work in concert with a vastly knowledgeable and passionate staff, membership and community to promote the human presence in the region in ways that protects the priceless natural capital that is our collective home.
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Energy Program Assistant
2012 Highlights
Scenic Byways
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I love being part of the ANCA team and having the opportunity to work with diverse people and vibrant communities across the North Country. Through a wide variety of projects, I am able to assist in developing and promoting the amazing tourism, recreation, historic, cultural, and environmental assets that exist in communities along our Scenic Byways. — Jecinda Hughes, Community Outreach & Byways Coordinator
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Why we love it here We love the Adirondack North Country - its resilient people, its diverse communities, and its breathtaking landscapes. ANCA’s staff members bring a deep connection to the area and excellent skills in managing their programs. ANCA’s 27 member Board of Directors bring their broad expertise, resources and guidance to the organization. When looking back on our work from the past year, we took a moment to reflect and ask ourselves “What do we love about the region and our work at ANCA?” For me personally, ANCA allows me to help make things happen here — from working with the Regional Economic Development Councils to launching an energy program that is helping people save energy dollars. I have a deep respect for our partners across the region — community and government leaders, small business owners, schools, other nonprofits, farmers, and artisans, all of whom make this place the most interesting place I have ever lived. Thanks for supporting our work and for sharing your appreciation for this unique part of the world. — Kate Fish, Executive Director
Business and Communities u Worked intensively as part of the North Country Regional Eco-
u Secured $1.2M in Federal Highway Administration funding to complete multi-modal recreation path connecting Lake Placid and Saranac Lake
u Launched 14-county Bike the Byways Website u Published Wildlife Interpretation Brochure and Invasive Species Alert Brochure
u Completed Duane Observation Deck and Interpretive Signage Project (Franklin County)
u Submitted completed Corridor Management Plan for Dude Ranch Trail (soon to be First Wilderness Scenic Byway) to State
u State Scenic Byways Advisory Committee ap-
proved plans for Black River Trail and Maple Traditions Scenic Byways
nomic Development Council (REDC) to win Best Plan Award in 2011, bringing $103M to the region.
u Facilitated two ground-breaking Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Forum events: In 2011, CGA launched a year-long scenario planning project for the Adirondack Park. The report out at the 2012 CGA Forum drew a record number of attendees.
u Expanded our capacity to serve in an advocacy role for the region, through Executive Director Kate Fish’s involvement with the North Country REDC and several state advisory boards.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: u Building on our relationships with the region’s colleges and
universities. Recent collaborations have involved Paul Smith’s College, Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University
u Highlighting regional success stories in ANCA’s newsletter, and website
u Advocating for increased access to broadband across the region.
Working Landscapes u ANCA provides the technical assistance across 12 North Country
Counties to develop and monitor grazing plans for interested farmers. In 2012, we developed 28 new grazing plans, oversaw 54 follow up visits, and co-hosted a pasture walk and series of grazing events
u Helped farmers access energy efficiency incentives u Supported procurement of funds for innovative food processing facilities and food distribution projects
u Participated in regional hearing by House Agricultural Committee for reauthorization of U.S. Farm Bill
Artisan Support
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For me, the idea of “living locally” is more than a passing fad — it’s a way of life. I’m fortunate that through my work, I’m able to communicate the many benefits that come with building localized economies, from food to fuel to supporting the “invisible factories” in our communities.
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— Melissa Hart, Communications Specialist and Buyer Days Show Organizer
u The successful 26th Buyer Days trade show attracted 70 vendors, 19 of which were new to the show, and more than 200 buyers. We grew the number of food producers at the 2012 show, by 25 percent.
u Developed new partnership with Traditional Artisans in Upstate New York (TAUNY) on an application to the New York State Council on the Arts. Our proposed “Invisible Factory” project will help artisans prepare for wholesale markets.
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With so many interesting projects under way, there is a lot to be excited about with ANCA right now. I love being involved with all of them and I’m proud to be part of this dynamic organization.
— Laurie Campbell, Office Manager
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ALL OUR WORK SUPPORTS 3 BIG GOALS:
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In all my 19 years with ANCA, I can honestly say that it’s never a dull moment. We’ve got a great team and I really enjoy the work that we do. — Nancy LaBombard, Bookkeeper
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1. RESILIENT LOCAL ECONOMIES Provide the foundation for business development that creates family-sustaining jobs in rural communities
2.VIBRANT COMMUNITIES Foster connections between communities; enable visitors and residents to fully experience the region’s abundant cultural and natural assets
3. A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE Recognize and highlight the exceptional assets that make this region unique and build the case for investment in the region
2013 PROGRAM GOALS INCLUDE: u Along with 7-county consortium team, will oversee completion of Homegrown Sustainability Plan for the North Country
u Continue to build on our visibility as a go-to organization for
energy conservation: Expand our outreach and education program to meet our targets of 76 homes and 10 businesses performing energy upgrades.
u Connect North Country contractors to training programs u Host second annual North Country Clean Energy Conference u Develop new grazing plans across 12 North Country Counties
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My first year with the ANCA team has been very rewarding. Getting to know the Grazing Lands Initiative Program and seeing first hand the benefits of implementing grazing plans on local livestock farms was especially gratifying. Through cross-program synergies, I’ve been able to assist farmers and other businesses gain tremendous economic benefits through energy savings.
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— Julie King, Agriculture Program Coordinator
conduct follow up visits with producers who have previously developed grazing plans
5 PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE OUR WORK: 1. Entrepreneurs and
small businesses are the engines of our economy
2. Clean energy is a
u Increase the number of participants at the 2013 Buyer Days
powerful economic driver for the region
u Work toward completion of multi-use recreation path u Enter publication phase for a cultural touring guide book u Celebrate completion of Whiteface Mountain Olympic Region
Working Landscapes — farmlands, forests and wild places — are the foundation of our economy
u Celebrate completion of Black River Trail and Maple Trail CMPs
4. The unique and spe-
show to 100 vendors and 300 retailers
Natural History Interpretation Project
JOIN US Thank you for supporting our work throughout the region. Please consider joining us by becoming an ANCA member. You can donate using the enclosed form or online at www.adirondack.org/support.
67 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 518.891.6200 | anca@adirondack.org
www.adirondack.org
3.
cial characteristics of our small towns, villages and hamlets need to be preserved and promoted
5. A strong common
identity for the Adirondack North Country region is fundamental