viewshed Spring/Summer Newsletter 2018
The Lake George Land Conservancy
is an
accredited not-for-profit land trust dedicated to working with willing landowners and other partners to protect the world-
Protecting the Land that Protects the Lake since 1988.
renowned water quality of Lake George and to permanently preserve the natural, scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Lake George region.
From the Executive Director
Contact us: 518-644-9673 | www.lglc.org
LGLC STAFF Helen Barton Benedict* Development Manager
Sarah Hoffman Communications & Outreach Manager
Jamie Brown Executive Director
Alexander Novick Land Steward
Megan Clothier* Office Assistant
Michele DeRossi Vidarte Community Engagement & Events Manager
Monica Dore Conservation Project Manager
INSIDE:
Cornelia Wells Finance & Office Manager
3
Heros in Huletts Landing Conservation Highlight
4-5
Hemlocks Under Surveillance
6-7
Staff Spotlight; Field Notes
8
The Restoration of the Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob
9
LGLC—Your Community Partner 10 NextGen Summer Soiree Patty HasBrouck Joins Board; 11 Land Donation; Giving Spotlights
*Part-time
6th Annual Hike-A-Thon
12-13
LGLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2018 Walks & Talks Cut-Off
13-14
30th Anniversary Picnic; Land & Water Conservation Celebration; Amy’s Race
14-15
Michael O’Reilly President
Huletts Landing
Charles M. Cumming VP of Human Resources
Jeffry Brozyna VP of Development
Lake George
Tom Hall VP of Conservation
Tracey Clothier Secretary
Lake George
George Morris VP of Finance, Treasurer
Ed Becker, DVM Sabbath Day Point John Buhac, MD Gull Bay Jennifer Waterhouse Cooper Bolton Landing JD DeSantis Bolton Landing Elizabeth Guest Silver Bay Patty HasBrouck Bolton Landing Jonathan A. Herttua Glenburnie Debbie Hoffman Bolton Landing
Christopher LaGuardia Judith K. Larter Elizabeth Meigher Peg Olsen Daniel Ryterband Robert Singer Ike Wolgin James W. Wolitarsky
Northwest Bay Diamond Point Pilot Knob Kattskill Bay Silver Bay Bolton Landing Glenburnie Diamond Point Ticonderoga Bolton Landing Northwest Bay
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Cover photo, Shelving Rock Falls © Leslie Carpenter, winner of our 2018 Cover Photo Contest. Caption: “Peaceful is not just a feeling, it’s a place.”
ADVISORY BOARD Robert Birchenough, MD William Bixby, III Henry Caldwell Dean L. Cook, DMD David Darrin Arthur Franz John Hubbard, Jr. Mark Johnson, PhD Walter F. Lamb, Jr.
Round the Lake Challenge
Cleverdale Northwest Bay Bolton Landing Ticonderoga Hague Bolton Landing Northwest Bay Stony Point Bolton Landing
Douglas Langdon, MD Bolton Landing John J. Macionis, PhD Hague James Menzies, PhD Bolton Landing Peter Menzies Bolton Landing Sandra Nierzwicki-Bauer, PhD Bolton Landing Rosemary Pusateri Cleverdale Hugh Roberts Bolton Landing Rebecca Smith Bolton Landing Virginia Rowan Smith Silver Bay
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
This newsletter is printed on paper donated by International Paper's Ticonderoga Mill
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear friends, After a long and stormy winter, I am thankful that spring is finally here. Winter at the lake is certainly beautiful and rewarding for those of us who live here year round. However, as the ice retreats and the sun reflects off of the clear, clean water of Lake George, one can’t help to cheerfully envision the green leaves soon to line the shores, along with all of the other wonders of the season not far behind. Over this long winter, we have been making plans on how to best protect the land that protects the lake and how to connect you to our efforts. We’ve also tried to figure out ways for you to have fun while you learn about and help to protect this special place. The following pages are packed with information about these projects and how you can get involved, including some events that you won’t want to miss! One such event is truly a year-long celebration of our 30th Anniversary, culminating with a picnic on August 18. We hope you can join us! As one of the largest landowners in the Lake George watershed, the LGLC plays a vital role in this community. We are proud of how we steward the land, so that once it is protected it continues to thrive and contribute to a healthy lake-wide ecosystem. We’re also proud to provide many ways to bring people together, whether it’s with our public trail systems, or through scheduled events like our summer Living Lands Series, the Lake George Hike-A-Thon, or annual gala. More people than ever now know about the land, its animals, our regional history, recreational trails, and —most importantly—how they can help protect the lake. Our partnerships with every individual we connect with, as well as the towns and other organizations around the lake, strengthen our assertion that we can accomplish great things by working together. As the LGLC enters its 30th year, we have much to be thankful for from our past. We also have much to look forward to, and welcome you to join us as we eagerly turn to the future. Best regards,
Jamie Brown Executive Director LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
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Heros in Huletts Landin NYS DEC LANDS
LGLC’s Terzian Woodlot
SABBATH DAY POINT
“You come here and when you breathe you really feel like you’re breathing fresh air, and you can smell the pines and so there were so many things that I loved.” - Helena “Bunny” Wilkening
BLUFF HEAD
HULETTS LANDING
USGS The National Map: National Bounda
We have just completed a great project in Huletts Landing that will result in permanent waterLand quality Dataset, National Cover Database, N Road Data protection by preventing the development of uplands directly above the lake, viewshed protection, and the addition of a small, family-friendly recreational opportunity. The LGLC first learned of the Wilkening family’s property in Hulett’s Landing from some friends in the neighborhood when it was put on the market in 2015. The 37-acre property includes an old home (“the White House”), nearly 1/4-mile of stream corridor, and over 600 feet of Lake George shorefront. Bluff Head Road divides the property into two pieces: a 3.7-acre section at the base containing the home and most of the shorefront, and a 33.3-acre upland piece, that has an existing path leading to a viewpoint overlooking the narrows and Silver Bay on the western shore. The uplands also share a 1/2-mile boundary with Spruce Mountain, owned by New York State. Current zoning would have allowed the construction of up to three homes on the larger parcel, and the smaller parcel could have been subdivided to allow for one additional home. Once we saw how special this land is, we reached out to the 4
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
Wilkening family, and they welcomed the possibility of protecting the land that has meant so much to them. The Wilkening family has owned this property since the late 1800’s when Helena “Bunny” Wilkening’s grandfather, Smith Ely Jelliffe, bought 150 acres of land in the area. That land was then divided between his children; Ms. Wilkening’s mother was given the land that Ms. Wilkening enjoyed coming to for more than 80 years, and that will now be protected for many generations to come. Together, we were able to reach a deal to protect all 37 acres, by purchasing the uplands and buying a conservation easement on the lower three acres and its shoreline. This conservation project is possible thanks to the generous support and cooperation of a few conservation heroes whose gifts cover the expenses in full (see “Serendipity,” right).
ng
CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHT
Serendipity Paul Lawler loves to sit on his front porch in Huletts Landing and gaze out at the lake. But more than the view, he loves the land that makes it all possible.
Purchased Uplands 33.3 acres
NYS Spruce Mountain
Conservation Easement 3.7 acres
aries Dataset, National Elevation Dataset, Geographic Names Information System, National Hydrography National Structures Dataset, and National Transportation Dataset; U.S. Census Bureau - TIGER/Line; HERE
Last fall, he and his wife Sylvia followed their hearts and made a generous donation to the LGLC with the desire that it be used on future land conservation projects, to protect the land they love. The gift was matched by Paul’s employer, the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, making their impact event greater. As it turned out, this gift was just what we needed to move forward on the project with the Wilkening family (left). The LGLC used the generous support from the Lawlers and the Kellogg Foundation to purchase the uplands parcel and place a conservation easement on the parcel along the shore. “I am thrilled to see my gift and the matching funds from the Kellogg Foundation being used on these great projects in Huelletts Landing,” Paul said. “It’s a special place to me, and it will do so much good for the lake.”
The LGLC intends to make modest improvements to the uplands property to allow for minimal passive recreational use. small parkUSGS TheANational Map: National Boundaries Dataset, National Elevation Dataset, Names Information System, National ing area will be identified so as to not interfere with traffic onGeographic Bluff Hydrography Dataset, National Land Cover Database, National Head Road, and a short trail will lead to oneStructures or two picnic Dataset,tables and National Transportation Dataset; U.S. Census Bureau - TIGER/Line; HERE Road Data installed at the lookout area. This is just the start of things to come in Huletts Landing. Foster Brook, a large tributary of Lake George, as well as several other smaller streams, flow through the area, which is mostly undeveloped. By protecting the surrounding land now we will safeguard the land’s natural ability to filter and manage stormwater for the health of Lake George. Additionally, we are looking into a number of other exciting projects that will help to protect critical conservation values, including viewshed, in this part of the watershed.
Our thanks to the Friends of Historic Huletts Landing for historical information used here. Visit historichuletts.org for more history, including fantastic oral histories, a digital photo gallery and document archives.
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
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Hemlocks Under Surveillance We sometimes take our trees for granted, but there is one that we need to start paying closer attention to now, before it joins the American chestnut in history books.
The Eastern hemlock is one of the most abundant trees in New York and a major component of the forests here in the Lake George watershed. It is an iconic part of the area, visible in nearly every corner of the watershed. Hemlocks stabilize streambanks and shorelines (which protects the water quality of the streams that flow into the lake) and provide major economic value to the local timber industry. The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is a terrestrial invasive insect native to East Asia that attacks hemlock trees and has been killing large swaths of hemlock forest from the Great Smokey Mountains to the Catskills since first discovered in the 1980’s. The pest spreads primarily by “hitch-hiking” on birds and other animals, and has been
Hemlock branch with the “woolly” egg masses of the hemlock woolly adelgid (photo: Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station, Bugwood.org)
making its way north to the Adirondacks; just last summer a very small population was found on Prospect Mountain in Lake George. Extreme cold has been found to help slow its spread and reduce populations, but is still unable to completely do away 6
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
with the threat of HWA. Once HWA is discovered, insecticides can be used to treat infected trees, but this can be a costly and labor-intensive process, and its success depends on early detection. Alternatively, biological controls are being developed, including beetles and flies that are natural predators of the HWA, though creating populations large enough to make a difference will take time. The Lake George Land Conservancy is on the frontline facing the HWA threat here in the Lake George watershed. When the HWA was discovered on Prospect Mountain in 2017, LGLC staff worked side by side with the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to survey the area around the infected trees for signs of additional HWA infestation, and also assisted with the treatment work on the infected trees. We are also actively participating in town meetings and trainings in partnership with APIPP, the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), and Professor Mark Whitmore of Cornell University, a leading authority on HWA. Professor Whitmore is working to develop the bio-control that may help to manage the HWA infestation in the future. As one of the largest landowners within the watershed, the LGLC is working proactively; this past winter we have been surveying our own lands to check for the invastive pest and document existing hemlock stands, especially along stream corridors. The scope of this early detection work is enormous, however, and volunteer help is crucial.
Volunteers are being trained in what to look for and how to report their surveys of trails and other lands. All of these surveys and any possible findings are then uploaded to iMapInvasives, a collaborative, state-wide online invasive species database and mapping system that is accessible to the public. The LGLC plans on continuing its partnerships with ADK and APIPP, as well as other local partners, including the Fund for Lake George, Lake George Association, and towns around the lake, to host and support continued training workshops, to increase the number of these volunteer “citizen scientists.” Once the 4,200 acres that we own and hold conservation easements on are monitored, we’ll be able to expand efforts to monitor the 3,200 acres that the LGLC manages for the DEC, and possibly other DEC land as well (with permission). In the event that HWA is discovered on LGLC land, we are prepared. Our land steward, Alex, has completed the necessary training to apply pesticide treatments to infected trees and the surrounding area. Though we cannot treat private lands or DEC land, we will alert our partners if any HWA outbreaks are found there. We are also looking into ways to provide habitat for the biocontrol predators, as well as cones and stock for hemlocks so that if an outbreak occurs on protected land, new hemlocks can be grown to replace those that die. The HWA is a challenging threat to Lake George’s hemlock forests, as evidenced by its impact on the Smokey Mountains and Catskills, but the
Upper Pond Other Conifers
Deciduous Tree area
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Pa da na ru
Trout F alls Ro a d
Lower Pond
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Hiking Trails
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Parking Lot
This false-red map shows the distribution of hemlock trees at Amy’s Park in Bolton. The hemlocks appear red, while other conifers are dark gray. Areas of deciduous trees are lighter gray, due to the photo being taken during leaf-off (fall/winter). Note that hemlock density increases around water. Right: Hemlock mortality in an infested forest (photo: Jason Van Driesche, Bugwood.org)
LGLC is a formidable force in Lake George’s defense. To date, the organization has spent approximately 1,500 hours of staff time on outreach, research, training, and on the ground monitoring to battle this invasive, at a cost of $75,000. We won’t be able to check every hemlock, or entirely stop it from coming, but by preparing
now, we can lessen its impact and help our native hemlocks continue to be an
icon for generations to come.
FIND OUT MORE
Cornell University: https://blogs.cornell.edu/nyshemlockinitiative Upcoming Trainings: http://adkinvasives.com/terrestrial-training-opportunities Inquiries and questions about the HWA or LGLC’s efforts may also be directed to the LGLC: call 518-644-9673 or email anovick@lglc.org.
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Field Notes Work this winter began with construction of a new bridge over Icehouse Brook at the Cook Mountain Preserve in Ticonderoga, replacing the one built in 2006. In addition, about 30 feet of bog bridge was replaced in the wetlands on the yellow trail, making passage through much easier (pictured, right). INVASIVES A lot of time was also spent at Cook Mountain clearing out invasive shrubby honeysuckle from over 30 acres of infested terrain in the lower portion of the property. Two acres of honeysuckle has been removed so far, a process that has been ongoing for the past two years, with the help of staff and volunteers. Invasive vines have also been a target this year with mass amounts cut not only on our Cook Mountain Preserve, but Gull Bay, Pilot Knob and Last Great Shoreline Preserves.
LGLC Welcomes Monica Dore The Lake George Land Conservancy is pleased to announce the addition of Monica Dore as the organization’s conservation project manager. Monica will be working to assess the conservation value of potential conservation properties, and will coordinate with the LGLC’s board and conservation committee to draft a long-term strategic conservation plan. Ms. Dore is a recent graduate of SUNY Oneonta, where she earned a BS in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation. During her time at SUNY Oneonta, she worked as an intern at the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, and also served as an assistant curator at the college herbarium. Following graduation, Monica conducted vegetative surveys on the MacIntyre Range within the Adirondack State Park to determine the impact of hiker foot traffic and the success of a vegetative restoration project that was completed in the 1980’s. Monica loves to run, garden and travel, and frequents the high peaks region of the Adirondacks, where she is working towards becoming a 46’r.
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LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) has been a major focus for the LGLC (see pages 6-7). In addition to on-the-ground survey, LGLC Land Steward Alex Novick has been working on mapping LGLC properties to analyze hemlock coverage and determine high priority areas for future surveys. We have also increased our outreach efforts and strengthened partnerships in the region’s communities to help prepare for the entrance of this invasive insect into Lake George watershed and greater Adirondack Park. In the process of surveying for HWA, the locations of other terrestrial invasives have also been discovered; these will be subsequently treated this spring. PILOT KNOB We are also excited to move forward with Phase 1 of the trail renovations at the Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob, which should begin in mid-late July. See more details on the next page. Above, left: LGLC volunteer Bob Kafin removing invasive honeysuckle at Cook Mt. Left: Red fox seen by Land Steward Alex Novick at Gull Bay; just one of many creatures he gets to see out in the field!
The Restoration of the Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob The first phase of the Schumann Preserve’s trail and stormwater improvements will take place this summer. The work will be done by Tahawus Trails LLC, a recreational trail designing and construction company out of western New York. The work plan focuses on the lower half of the Preserve, which has the most heavily used and impacted trails.
land, while also providing hikers with an interesting and enjoyable experience. This user experience will also be enhanced with the addition of educational signage along the trail system.
Economic Development Council, and a $10,000 grant from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust. GET INVOLVED Join us for a hike at the Schumann Preserve on Saturday, June 2, 9-11 am to see first-hand why this preserve is so popular, and get a more detailed overview of the planned trail renovations. Plus, be part of a brainstorming discussion about the future of the Preserve, including the possible creation of a Friends group. More details in our Walks & Talks listing on page 13.
This trail work is divided into two phases, with the second phase to be completed in 2019 (see map below).
The entire project has been fully paid Schumann Preserve Trails at Pilot Knob for primarily through generous grants, The existing eroded trails will be replaced with sustainably designed trails that reduce the negative impact on the
including a $40,000 NYS Smart Growth Implementation Grant, a $40,000 grant from the NYS Regional
Pilot Knob Road
Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob Work Plan
[ !
View/Gazebo Phase 1, summer 2018 Phase 2, summer 2019 Existing Trails Blue Trail
[ !
To the waterfall
Preserve Boundary
Map prepared by
Sources: Esri, DeLorme, HERE, TomTom, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
Parking Improvements:
Water Quality Protection:
Improved Engagement:
Increased parking capacity, improved stormwater management. Completed in 2017
Trail improvements for erosion control & sustainability. Anticipated in 2018-2019
Installation of educational trailside signs & enhanced kiosk. Anticipated in 2018
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
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LGLC—Your Community Partner The LGLC’s headquarters are in the Town of Bolton, about nine miles north of Lake George Village. We’re a proud member of the Bolton community, but we’re also landowners in every other town around the lake, which makes us vested partners in the communities we serve. We contribute to these communities by providing a whole host of services, such as educational talks, displays and materials; guided recreational outings; and other fun events to engage with all members of the public. Our land conservation efforts result in greater public access to the land and water of the Lake George watershed. We also provide a variety of tools for private landowners, so that with their own stewardship, they can ensure their land will remain healthy for many generations to come. LGLC staff get out of the office to engage with other groups throughout the watershed as well. Whether it’s at a career day in Ticonderoga, attending Chamber of Commerce meetings and mixers, speaking with civic and community groups and clubs, or spending the day with a group of children on a scavenger hunt, we are committed to working within our entire Lake George community. We are passionate about protecting the land that protects the lake. But we also care about the intangible things that make this place so special, and are grateful to be an active participant. If you would like us to come out to speak, or have comments or suggestions on how we can better serve your community, please let us know! Contact Sarah Hoffman at 518-644-9673 or email shoffman@lglc.org.
In March, LGLC staff and volunteers spent a weekend at the Adirondack Sports Summer Expo, an annual event in Saratoga with about 8,000 attendees. We talked with hundreds of people who came by our booth were eager to learn more about our work, and who are now heading out to our preserves, attending our events, and helping to protect the land that protects the lake. LGLC Land Steward Alex Novick was there to assist partners with the rapid response efforts after the HWA discovery at Prospect Mt. The LGLC is proud to work alongside other organizations to protect Lake George, partners such as the Fund for Lake George, the Lake George Association, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, the Hemlock Initiative, SAVE, and town leaders. In January, Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company chose the LGLC as the beneficiary of their Patagonia film screening of Numinous: A Ski Film Featuring Key Petersen, a movie that explores relationships and connections with the natural world. In addition to raising funds for the LGLC, the event provided an opportunity for LGLC Community Engagement and Events Manager Michele Vidarte (pictured) to engage with a whole new audience of outdoor enthusiasts.
NextGen Summer Solstice Soiree Celebrate the start of the season with the Summer Solstice Soiree, Thursday, June 21 from 6 - 8 pm! Organized by the LGLC’s Next Generation Committee and hosted by Blue Water Manor, this casual event will give you an opportunity to meet and learn more about the next generation of leaders in conservation in our area, and how you can get involved. Come and hear more about the LGLC’s projects throughout the watershed, and how the Committee is spearheading fun and innovative events, including Amy’s Race, to help reach new audiences and spread the word about the LGLC’s work. The Soiree will include light appetizers, live music, raffles and a cash bar. The event is free with a suggested $15 donation at the door with all proceeds benefitting the LGLC. Information on raffle prizes, entertainment and more to come. Check lglc.org/nextgeneration or Facebook for updates. To join the email list or for questions, email Michele at mvidarte@lglc.org. 10
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
HasBrouck Joins Board The LGLC welcomes the addition of Saratoga Springs and Bolton resident Patty HasBrouck to its Board of Directors. As a long-time supporter of the LGLC, Patty’s involvement grew last year when she helped to organize a successful gathering at the Spring Street Gallery in Saratoga to promote the LGLC and its work at the Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob. In joining the board, she hopes to contribute in a meaningful way to ensure the sanctity of Lake George. Self-described as an “analytical problem-solver,” Patty has a strong business background including skills that will be valuable and welcome additions to the pool of talent on the LGLC Board. She is an independent healthcare consultant supporting healthcare providers and advocacy organizations through her firm Madison Healthcare Advisors. Additionally, she is the co-founder of Incentivate Health, a technology venture that offers healthcare organizations text messaging entwined with a patient incentive program. She volunteers for several local and regional organizations, including as a Board Member of the Saratoga Rowing Association. She has an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University. She spends as much time as she can on Lake George with her two children (now young adults) who have grown up with a love of nature, the outdoors, and a tight community of people who appreciate the lake’s magic. “Drew and Zoe would not be the people they are today,” said HasBrouck, “without the access to and time around Lake George and all of its natural wonders. We are so fortunate to have this public resource in our backyard. I hope that by taking a role in the stewardship of the lake, I will set an example for my kids.”
Land Donation in Fort Ann The LGLC has received a land donation of 0.6 acres in Fort Ann that contains 50 feet of stream corridor. Mr. Carl Liss made the donation in order to preserve the integrity of the stream and surrounding forest, rather than benefit from its sale as a building lot. We are grateful for his conservation-minded decision, and for the opportunity to protect this piece of land that protects the lake.
GIVING SPOTLIGHTS
LGLC Receives Grant from LCBP The LGLC has received a $3,000 grant for technology upgrades from the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s (LCBP) Local Implementation Grant program, in cooperation with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. We are grateful for this grant, which will allow the LGLC to purchase a new computer and a secure wireless access point for the office. These tools will provide for a more efficient and secure environment for the LGLC staff and guests. The LCBP’s grant program awards projects that help implement its long-term management plan, Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake Champlain Basin. This plan includes providing support to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness in protecting the water quality of Lake Champlain (Lake George is in the Lake Champlain watershed).
Give from your IRA Individuals age 70 ½ and older can donate up to $100,000 directly to charitable nonprofits from their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) without it being treated as taxable income. One essential detail— your plan administrator must issue the check directly to the charity. Studies show that gifting funds directly from your IRA is one of the most tax beneficial means of charitable giving. While this donation cannot be claimed as a charitable deduction, donors could realize other benefits by reducing their taxable income in this way. Consult your plan administrator or your tax advisors for more information about this provision and specific tax advice. Questions? Call 518-644-9673 or email giving@lglc.org.
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
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6 Annual th
2018 Flight Route 1 The Pinnacle
FULL!
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2 Up Yonda Farm
3 Thomas Mountain 4 Amy’s Park, Uplands
July 5th
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13
FULL!
5 Amy’s Park, Wetlands
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6 Godwin Preserve 7 Pole Hill Pond 8 Northwest Bay Paddle
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9 Inspiration Point, Silver Bay YMCA
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10 Jabe Pond
11 Rogers’ Rock FULL! 12 Cook Mountain
13 Anthony’s Nose 14 Gull Bay
FULL!
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FULL!
15 Spruce Mountain
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FULL!
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7
16 Buck Mountain, YMCA Camp Chingachgook 17 Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob
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18 Charles R. Wood Nature Park
This year’s lineup of 19 different participating sites includes two paddles and three partner sites. As always, each site has limited space and some have already filled up! Don’t miss out—register early to make sure you get a spot in this lake-wide event! NEW FOR 2018 A paddle at Jabe Pond has been added for our water-lovers, and an exclusive hike to Spruce Mountain (note, this hike is full, but we hope to include it again for next year!).
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For more information and our easy online registration form, go to http://lakegeorgehikeathon.org.
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The Lake George Hike-A-Thon, first held in 2013 to celebrate the LGLC’s 25th anniversary, is now in its 6th year, and will be a part of the LGLC’s summer celebrations of three decades of protecting the land that protects the lake.
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19 Cat Mountain
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Right: The color of the Hike-A-Thon’s event t-shirts change each year; this year we’re wearing purple!
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LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
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2018 Walks & Talks Unless otherwise noted, events are free but require advance registration. Events and details subject to change. Follow us on Facebook and visit lglc.org/events-and-programs to register and for more info and updates! LLS - Living Lands Series, sponsored by Stewart’s Shops NG - NextGen Committee-sponsored event Friday, May 11 (rescheduled): Spring Clean-Up at Peggy’s Point 9 am - 12 pm; Peggy’s Point, Rt 9N, Hague Help us clean up the park’s gardens and grounds for the season. Clean up will include raking, weeding, and pruning. Some gloves and tools provided; bring your own if available. Saturday, June 2: National Trails Day Guided Hike & Chat 9 - 11 am; Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob, Fort Ann Come out for a moderate 2-mile hike and see why this preserve is so popular! Plus, get the inside scoop on the planned renovations and share your thoughts on how we can make it better.
2018 MAJOR PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Monday-Friday, June 4-10: Volunteer Work Days—Invasives! 9 am - 3 pm; Cook Mt Preserve, Ticonderoga Join LGLC’s 3rd annual week-long effort to remove invasive honeysuckle from the Cook Mt Preserve. Volunteers are welcome to come and help at any time throughout the scheduled work week. For more info email anovick@lglc.org, or go to lglc.org. Thursday, June 21: Summer Solstice Soiree 6-8 pm; Blue Water Manor, 4436 Lake Shore Dr, Bolton Landing Celebrate the season with the Next Generation Committee! Light refreshments, raffle, live music, cash bar; $15 suggested donation at the door. Wednesday, June 27: LLS - Adirondack Bear Behavior 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing Jim Stickles, Big Game Biologist with DEC, will discuss basic bear biology, the role of bear hunting, strategies to keep food inaccessible, the consequences when people fail to secure food sources, and why moving bears generally doesn’t work. Saturday, June 30: NG - Guided Birding Walk 8 am - 12 pm; Amy’s Park, Bolton Landing Join ornithologist, writer, educator, and guide Alan Belford for a morning walk exploring the forests and wetlands of Amy’s Park to search for a variety of wetland birds. Easy hike, about 3 miles, mainly flat gravel road (possibly forested trail also).
BOLTON LANDING, NY
Wiawaka W Center for Women
H o n o r i n g Tr a d i t i o n . E m b r a c i n g t h e F u t u r e .
Clothier Planning & Consulting Community and Land Use Planning
Special thanks Valley View Farm, Dean Cook and Family, Richard Hayes Phillips, and our partner sites for hosting the Hike-A-Thon!
Cut off and keep as a handy reference
Victoria Ragucci, CPA
Thursday, July 5: Lake George Hike-A-Thon It’s the 6th annual Hike-A-Thon! Join hundreds of others for our flagship event. Choose from 19 different hiking or paddling sites. Free to participate; general registration closes June 15. Go to LakeGeorgeHikeAThon.org for more information about each site, volunteer opportunities, and to register. Wednesday, July 11: LLS - An Adirondack Portfolio 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing Author Bob Bayle will discuss the photography of his father, Francis Bayle, whose breathtaking photographs chronicled the Adirondack forests, trails, mountain vistas, primitive roadways, rustic structures and local people of the early 20th century.
@HikeLakeGeorge #HikeLakeGeorge LGLC | 4905 Lake Shore Dr | PO Box 1250 Bolton Landing, NY 12814 | 518-644-9673 | lglc.org
Registrations are required unless otherwise noted. Events and details subject to change. Follow us on Facebook and check lglc.org to register and for more info and updates!
Saturday, July 14: NG - Wilderness Survival Guided Hike 12 - 3 pm; Last Great Shoreline Preserve, Putnam Get a crash course on orienteering and wilderness survival skills from DEC Licensed Guide and Wilderness First Responder Sarah Frasier. This moderate hike will cover about 3.5 miles round-trip. Wednesday, July 18: LLS - Ticks and Lyme Disease 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing As an expert on the scientific literature pertaining to Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, Holly Ahern MS, MT (ASCP), will focus her talk on the human risks associated with tick bites and what to do to prevent getting sick. Wednesday, July 25: LLS - History of the LG Steamboat Co. 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing On April 15, 2017, the Lake George Steamboat Company celebrated its 200th year in operation! The Dow family has operated the Steamboat Co. since 1947. Learn about their long and storied history from owner Patricia Dow. Wednesday, August 1: LLS - Keeping the Wild in Wildlife 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing Nancy Kimball, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, will draw on her 16 years of experience in home-based rehabilitation for this presentation. She is a founding member of North Country Wild Care, a non-profit network of wildlife rehabilitators. She will be accompanied by her non-releasable educational birds. Friday, August 3: Land & Water Conservation Celebration 6 pm; The Inn at Erlowest, 3178 Lake Shore Dr, Lake George LGLC’s annual dinner and auction fundraiser at the beautiful Inn at Erlowest, overlooking Lake George. $150 per person. Honorary Committee/sponsorship available. Invitations mailed in May. Wednesday, August 8: LLS - Adirondack Moose Tracking 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing In this presentation, Jim Stickles, Big Game Biologist with DEC, will discuss moose biology, and current research designed to help inform a management plan for this iconic and elusive Adirondack mammal.
You’re Invited! Join us to celebrate 30 years of protecting the land that protects the lake! Please join us on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Up Yonda Farm Environmental Education Center in Bolton Landing for our 30th Anniversary Picnic & Celebration!
Saturday, August 11: Scats and Tracks in the Dacks 10 am - 12 pm; Amy’s Park, Bolton Landing Join DEC Wildlife Technician Jessica Coulter on a hike through Amy’s Park to discover the secret signs that animals leave behind and learn about the natural history of the Adirondack Park. All skill levels welcome.
This free, family-friendly event will include food trucks and free refreshments, music, and activities for kids, all to celebrate YOU and every past and present donor, volunteer, hiker, and sharer of news and knowledge. It's thanks to you that the LGLC has been able to make such a positive impact on the health of Lake George and its entire watershed these past 30 years, and we're going to have fun celebrating that achievement!
Saturday, August 18: LGLC 30th Anniversary Picnic 11 am-2 pm; Up Yonda Farm, 5239 Lake Shore Dr, Bolton Landing Join us for our free, family-friendly picnic at Up Yonda featuring local food trucks, free drinks, kids activities and more as we celebrate 30 years of protecting the land that protects the lake!
More details coming soon! Want to help us plan and organize this event? Let us know! Contact Michele at mvidarte@lglc.org or call 518-644-9673 to find out how. Thank you!
Wednesday, August 15: LLS - Native Plants for Native Healing 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing For a close encounter of the green kind, join Nancy Scarzello, herbalist and naturalist, as she shares the healing ways of the plants that live among us here in the Adirondacks. With easy preparations, samples to try and live plants to meet, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for our green neighbors. Wednesday, August 22: LLS - Adirondack Bats 5:30 pm; LGLC Office, 4905 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing NYS DEC Wildlife Technician Kate Ritzko will present a brief overview of bat species in NY, and discuss the devastating effects of the fungal disease known as White Nose Syndrome. She will explore the current population trends, and what research and management practices are going on now.
We want to hear from you! Do you have a story to share
about your connection to the LGLC? Maybe you’re a landowner we’ve worked with, a volunteer, a donor, or participant in an LGLC event. Maybe you just like to hike at our parks and preserves. Whatever your connection, share it with us, including why Lake George is important to you, and your story may be featured in future publications or online! Email your story to shoffman@lglc.org, with “My LGLC Story” in the subject line. Thank you!
Honorary Committee Chairs Jeff & Judy Killeen
The Makowski Trust
Mike & Marie O’Reilly
Marian & Norman Wolgin
Be part of the party of the summer! This year’s event will feature a fabulous silent auction, full open bar, 50/50 raffle, Fund-A-Need, and dancing with live music performed by The New York Players. No theme or gimmick—come as you are, and be ready for a fun evening to celebrate 30 years of land and water protection! Go to lglc.org/events-and-programs/conservation-celebration for more information and to register online. As the LGLC’s premier benefit dinner and auction event, the Celebration has generated over $2.4 million over its 18-year history, all of which has gone towards programs that protect the land that protects the lake. Our thanks to this year’s generous Honorary Committee members and silent auction donors!
Featured Silent Auction Items Two-night stay for two at The Sagamore, including one evening’s dinner, daily breakfast and unlimited golf.
2nd
al Annu
Exclusive 30th Anniversary Lake George necklace with diamond inset by Sara Pfau.
One-night stay for two at The Queensbury Hotel, including dinner at Park26.
A full-day private, guided fly-fishing trip on the Ausable River with Ruff Waters Fly Fishing Guides.
Save the Date!
Amy’s Adventure Race for the Lake September 29, 2018
© Murnane Photography
LGLC viewshed: Spring/Summer 2018
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NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE
Lake George Land Conservancy 4905 Lake Shore Drive P.O. Box 1250 Bolton Landing, NY 12814
PA ID BOLTON LANDING, NY PERMIT NO. 27
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Stay connected! #HikeLakeGeorge /HikeLakeGeorge
The LGLC has its own Challenge program, unique to the Lake George region!
@HikeLakeGeorge
The LGLC’s Round the Lake Challenge (RTL) is a free family-friendly program that explores the Lake George watershed’s natural, historical and cultural resources through first-hand experiences. See for yourself how amazing this region is, and why it’s so important to protect the land that protects the lake! HOW TO BE A ‘ROUND THE LAKER
Hike
Paddle
Explore
Learn
Complete at least 20 of the 30+ RTL “Missions” at your own pace and become an official Round the Laker! Go to www.lglc.org/round-the-lake-challenge to download a list of Missions, complete with descriptions, as well as a checklist to fill out with dates and comments. Once you have at least 20 Missions completed, send in the checklist by mail or bring it to the LGLC office (a visit to the office is the only mandatory Mission—check it and turn in your list at the same time!). Every person or team who submits a completed checklist is recorded, given a number and certificate of completion, and a patch.
Are you ready to take the Challenge?