A spotlight on Adirondackers working toward a better planet.
The Adirondacks’ environment is changing, with warming temperatures, declining animal species, milder winters and more. The Explorer works each week to keep you informed on how global climate change is impacting the park at a local level.
But there’s good news, too.
Your neighbors are working on research, education, solutions and more in the climate space. That’s why we launched Climate Voices of the Adirondacks.
For the next several weeks, we’re spotlighting the people working toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Check out their stories below.
Watch this introduction video to learn more about the series:
Charlie Reinertsen
Sharing a passion for peatlands
Charlie Reinertsen developed the Wild Center’s climate solutions exhibit in 2022. Most recently Reinertsen launched a project exploring peatlands with photos and writing. The Northern Peatlands Project presents the ecosystems in stunning photo galleries and an email newsletter.
Read more about Charlie and his work.
WATCH: Charlie explains why peatlands are important for climate solutions.
Sunita Halasz
Guiding future environmentalists
Sunita Halasz, an ecologist, has followed climate science for years. Now she’s guiding future climate activists as a mentor to the North Country Climate Club.
“It’s a heavy message, but it’s a message that has tons and tons of hope and action in it,” said Halasz. “And if we as adults understand that, we can be mentors, we can be followers of the youth who are already such leaders in the climate movement, and we can just support each other.”
Read more about Sunita and her work.
WATCH: Sunita shares how she got involved in the climate space and what actions the club is taking.
LJ Mills
Prioritizing long-term climate data
LJ Mills has spent seven years collecting data on ecosystems in Huntington Wildlife Forest, owned by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The biogeochemical research support specialist is just one of many people who have contributed to the decades-long project.
“Long-term monitoring is probably the best body of evidence that we have to detect climate change in the future,” he said. “Without all this baseline data, it’s going to be basically impossible to tell what’s changing and how much it’s changing.”
YOUR SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!
Want to nominate someone for our series? Send a brief email with details to: chloe@adirondackexplorer.org