The only independent, nonprofit news organization solely dedicated to reporting on the Adirondack Park.

Through its news reporting and analysis, the nonprofit Adirondack Explorer furthers the wise stewardship, public enjoyment for all, community vitality, and lasting protection of the Adirondack park.

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Stories

Generations of Hornbecks on the trail to Castle Rock

By Adirondack Explorer

The hike, up Castle Rock in Blue Mountain Lake in July, was a big deal for us. Dad was an avid hiker for years until his knees deteriorated and the pain forced him to stop. He still did a lot of things—biking, paddling, fishing, and camping—but hiking was off limits. Last fall, he had his second knee replaced, and by spring he was ready to hike with two bionic knees. He was on the trail with me and my sons, Rushton, who is eight, and Devlin, who is six, for the first time.

An in-depth look at conservation easements

By Michael Virtanen

Most new land preservation in the 5.8-million-acre Park over the past twenty-five years has been done through state-purchased easements, now covering 781,000 acres, or about 13 percent of the Park. About 98 percent contain working forest, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Timber managers say cutting promotes forest health

By Michael Virtanen

The two timber investment management organizations together currently control almost two-thirds of all 781,000 privately owned acres of Adirondack timberlands that are covered by state conservation easements. The agreements call for sustainable forestry, essentially cutting less timber than the tracts grow as measured over ten-year periods.

Environmental groups want more oversight of easements

By Michael Virtanen

Some environmentalists want more active state oversight of the 781,000 acres of privately owned timberlands in the Adirondacks that are governed by conservation easements with New York.

List of conservation easements landowners

A list of conservation easement owners in the Adirondack Park.

NYCO land swap has failed to save jobs

Five years ago voters changed the New York Constitution to give an Adirondack mining business the right to dig in the state Forest Preserve, in part to save local jobs. So far, it hasn’t worked out that way.

Ex-ORDA official, accused of credit card misuse, pleads not guilty

By Adirondack Explorer

The Olympic Regional Development Authority’s (ORDA) former finance director has pleaded not guilty to charges associated with allegedly using his state-issued credit card to purchase alcohol at local bars and restaurants.

Boating rallies planned for Weller Pond Saturday

Paddlers are planning to congregate at Weller Pond Saturday to show their support for making the water body, along with Little Weller Pond, motorless.

black bear

Black bears continue to raid campsites on Saranac lakes

Black bears are continuing to raid campsites for food on Lower and Middle Saranac lakes, a trend that started in July and has picked up in August.

Dead hiker may have ties to New York state

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office in Florida is looking for help identifying a hiker who was found dead in Noble’s Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve on July 23.