It snowed yesterday for a few hours. Today the shoreline glistened with snow. (Click image to see larger version.)
Two LGLC Staff Receive Montesi Conservation Award
Sarah Hoffman (left) and Alex Novick were honored Monday, December 13 with the Ronald Montesi Citizen Conservation Award, from the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District. (Click image to see larger view.)
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is proud to have two staff members as recipients of this year’s Ronald Montesi Citizen Conservation Award, presented by the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District.
LGLC Communications and Outreach Manager Sarah Hoffman, and Land Steward Alex Novick received the award on Monday, December 13 at the WCSWCD office in Warrensburg.
Presenting the award to Hoffman, WCSWCD Senior District Technician Dean Moore said, “Sarah’s relentless passion has her constantly pairing funding opportunities with partner agencies and project locations to benefit the communities we live in. Her work fosters the generosity and passion of an individual who truly loves our great region and seeks out opportunities to preserve the quality of these resources for future generations.”
Presenting the award to Novick, WCSWCD District Manager Jim Lieberum said, “The work that Alex does at the West Brook Conservation Initiative and other LGLC properties is something that should be recognized. It is obvious that he enjoys what he does and he has a wealth of knowledge that exceeds just more than just the environment. He is well deserving of this recognition and we look forward to many future collaborative projects.”
Named after long-time WCSWCD Board Member Ronald Montesi who passed away in 2019, the Award “is provided to individuals who have taken the initiative to improve their environment and developed partnerships in their community. The District is committed to recognizing those people who we have worked with to provide new conservation opportunities and enhance existing programs.
STILL WATER 4K: An Aviation Short Film
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Lake George
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 15 at 10:50 a.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from a 29-year-old runner from Brooklyn lost on an old forest road on the side of Prospect Mountain. Coordinates placed the runner close to the road, but without a map or compass to navigate the area, Forest Ranger Donegan responded to assist. At 11:58 a.m., Ranger Donegan located the runner at the coordinates provided by 911 and both were back out to Memorial Highway and clear of the scene at 12:20 p.m.
LGLC Protects 150 Acres in Bolton, Indian Brook Tributary
The Lake George Land Conservancy recently protected 150 acres in Bolton that includes a mile of steam that flows into Indian Brook, a major Lake George tributary.
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has protected 150 acres of Bolton uplands through the use of a conservation easement, a tool used by land trusts that keep land in private ownership while protecting the land’s conservation values. The property includes one mile of stream corridor and 10 acres of wetland within the Indian Brook tributary of Lake George.
The property is owned by the DePace family, who sold the easement to the LGLC out of a desire to ensure its protection for future generations. Originally, the 150-acre tract was split into 23 residential lots, and allowed for 23 homes to be built. The DePace family and the LGLC worked to extinguish those 23 lots into just three lots. By doing so, important natural resources and the rural character of this region of Bolton are protected forever.
Landowners Tony and Gail DePace said, “Knowing that large parcels of Bolton Landing will be protected and environmentally healthy for many years to come is what prompted us to work together with the LGLC. Protecting the lands means protecting Lake George. The LGLC took every step to ensure that our personal needs and Bolton Landing’s environmental needs were met. The LGLC team worked extremely hard to put everything in place, no easy task after three years of getting every detail in order. We are fortunate to have the LGLC working diligently to protect Lake George and the lands surrounding it. Their mission is truly to protect the beauty we are fortunate to call home.”
Studies indicate that although Indian Brook is showing some impacts from development and other human activity, its watershed is still below the threshold of containing less than 10% of impervious surface, which is an indicator of overall health. Much of the watershed’s sensitive land is currently unprotected, however, leaving water quality vulnerable.
To address this issue, in 2017 the LGLC established its Indian Brook/Northwest Bay Conservation Initiative to work with willing landowners within the project area to acquire land and conservation easements that are vital to protecting water quality and important habitat, creating recreational opportunities, and keeping viewsheds intact.
LGLC Interim Executive Director Jeff Brozyna said, “This project perfectly demonstrates how the LGLC can protect land while also allowing it to remain in private hands. Conservation easements are a great way to protect sensitive lands while ensuring that landowners can continue to use and develop their land in sustainable ways. This project has so many obvious conservation values and it is wonderful to see the land protected—forever—after working on this project for a number of years. We are so grateful to the DePace family for their patience and their conservation ethic.”
The Milky Way from Huletts
This stunning picture of the Milky Way, was taken by one of our guests near the first tee of the Huletts golf course in early July. Looking out towards the south, it captures our own Milky Way galaxy.
While it has been a very rainy summer and clear nights have been few, the joy of looking up into a beautiful night sky is always impressive. (Click image to see larger image.)
Gypsy Moths Munching Away
Gypsy moth caterpillars are crunching away on the leaves of many local trees.
If you look at the hills surrounding Lake George you will see many bare trees this year. The culprit? The gypsy moth. You will see leaf shards on the ground, ragged leaves, holes in leaves, and lots of green poop.
Gypsy moths have been present in the United States since the late 1800s. While a caterpillar, this destructive critter feeds on the leaves of over 300 different plant species. Gypsy moth caterpillars especially enjoy eating oak leaves, but if there is a large enough infestation the caterpillars will eat just about any tree species that grows in our forests. By July, the gypsy moths should fly away and hopefully our trees will re-leaf.
Until then, watch those black caterpillars and all those half eaten leaves and green poop.
Pike Caught Off Huletts
I was forwarded this picture of a northern pike caught off of Huletts this past week. The fisherman who caught it threw it back, so it’s now a little ‘wiser’ and will be harder to catch again. As readers of the site know, I always enjoy and try to post pictures of fish caught in Lake George.
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Hiker Rescued From Lake George Wild Forest Area
Wilderness Rescue: On May 22 at 12:30 p.m., Washington County 911 contacted DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch advising of a 28-year-old woman from Rensselaer with a non-weight-bearing ankle injury on the trail for Sleeping Beauty Mountain in the Lake George Wild Forest Area. Forest Ranger Lt. Ganswindt and Forest Rangers St. Claire and Baker responded. Once on scene, the hiker was packaged into a litter by Forest Rangers and members of the West Fort Ann and Bay Ridge fire departments, along with Fort Ann EMS. The hiker was transported utilizing the new litter wheel system to an ATV and driven to the trailhead. The injured hiker was then turned over to EMS for transport to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Town of Lake George
Warren County
Rope Rescue Training At Prospect Mountain
Rope Rescue Training: On May 20 and 21, Region 5 Forest Rangers participated in their annual rope rescue training at Prospect Mountain. This year’s training focused on low and moderate angle rescues utilizing the new litter wheel system. Forest Rangers spent two days refreshing their skills on setting anchors and patient packaging, as well as building, raising, and lowering systems. The litter wheel system has already been utilized on several rescues this month. All Rangers in the state need to maintain at least operations-level standards set by the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA). Forest Rangers have the additional opportunity to advance to the technician level to further their skill set in rope rescue.
LGLC Protects 150 Acres on Prospect Mt, West Brook
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has recently protected 150 acres adjoining Prospect Mountain in the south basin of Lake George. The property includes the headwaters of a main branch of West Brook, one of Lake George’s largest tributaries. In total, more than one mile of stream corridor has been protected.
The land lies in the towns of Warrensburg and Lake George and is adjacent to New York State’s Prospect Mountain. The property contains very steep forested slopes, and is visible from the Adirondack Northway (I-87).
The McPhillips family, who have worked with the LGLC in the past to protect other sensitive lands in the watershed, generously agreed to sell the land at a discount in a transaction known as a bargain sale.
LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown said, “We are so grateful to the McPhillips family for once again partnering with the LGLC and generously offering the land to us below its actual market value. The value to the watershed of the 150-acres is immeasurable, as the LGLC now protects the headwaters of West Brook, one of Lake George’s major tributaries, from all forms of threats.
“These landowners who are willing to protect their land,” Brown continued, “that protects the lake are vital to the LGLC’s ability to fulfill its mission. These are people who care about this special place and are doing their part to ensure that the forests remain healthy and strong, filtering the water that flows over the land and into the lake forever. We thank the McPhillips for looking towards the future to protect this land.”
Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest threats to the water quality of Lake George. Over-development on ecologically important lands contributes to this runoff, which carries pollutants and excess nutrients downstream. The LGLC works to prevent the impacts of runoff by strategically protecting sensitive lands from over-development in conservation initiatives throughout the watershed.
One such project is the West Brook Conservation Initiative. West Brook is a major tributary of Lake George, and is estimated to contribute 50% of the total annual tributary runoff entering the south end of Lake George.
In the early 2000’s the LGLC and partners at the Lake George Association, the FUND for Lake George, the Village of Lake George and Warren County, worked together to protect 12 acres of developed land surrounding West Brook and restore it to its original wetland state. The restored wetlands now provide the same benefits of natural wetlands, filtering millions of gallons of water each year and removing excess nutrients and pollutants before they reach the lake.
At the same time, the LGLC also purchased the 1,400-acre Berry Pond property to protect a significant amount of streams and ponds that feed into West Brook. Not only does this land, now owned by New York State, provide permanent protection of these waters, but it also hosts thousands of hikers and snowmobilers each year.
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Saturday April 17 at 7:20 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two lost hikers in the Tongue Mountain Range. The pair was concerned about becoming lost in the woods after dark. The hikers were still on the trail, 3.5 miles from the nearest trailhead, and an additional five miles away from their vehicle. The hikers were encouraged to continue making their way out of the woods. About an hour later, the hikers called back as one of them was having a panic attack, fearful that their cell lights wouldn’t last much longer. Forest Ranger Kabrehl responded to assist the 26-year-old women from Montgomery, NY, and Oradell, NJ. By 10:14 p.m., Ranger Kabrehl and the hikers were out of the woods.
Lake George Association Members Approve Merger with The FUND for Lake George
In a historic and inspiring show of support for the future of Lake George protection, the members of the Lake George Association have overwhelmingly approved the merger of the LGA with The FUND for Lake George to create a new, preeminent Lake protection organization.
Ninety-eight percent of LGA voters (745 of 760) said yes to the historic union in results announced tonight at a special virtual membership meeting. The approved merger plan will now go to the Office of the New York State Attorney General for final review and approval. The newly created organization will retain the LGA name. The LGA is the longest-serving lake protection organization in the country, having been founded in 1885.
“The future of Lake George protection is brighter than ever,” said Pete Menzies, current president of the LGA board of directors, which previously voted unanimously to proceed with the merger. “We are thrilled and thankful to the LGA membership for their tremendous vote of confidence in what these two outstanding organizations will be able to accomplish together. As they always do, LGA members have stepped up to protect Lake George.”
Jeff Killeen, current chairman of The FUND for Lake George and the chairman-elect of the new organization, said, “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity and responsibility that has been granted to us. With so many water quality threats looming, Lake George has never needed us more — and I can say without hesitation that our combined staff, board of directors, members and many community partners are up for the challenge. The new LGA will bring our Lake’s already-unrivaled level of protection to new and essential heights.”
The new LGA will be focused on action, working collaboratively with public – and private-sector partners to achieve breakthrough performance in water quality protection programs that are guided by world-class science and supported by community education, awareness and advocacy.
Protection programs will focus on the Lake’s most pressing threats: harmful algal blooms; nutrient loading from wastewater and stormwater runoff; invasive species, both aquatic and the new terrestrial threat, hemlock wooly adelgid; and road salt contamination — all of which are compounded by the effects of a changing climate. Mounting pressure on the Lake’s water quality was a driving factor in bringing the two organizations together.
The new LGA will be led by Eric Siy, currently executive director of The FUND for Lake George, who will become president of the new LGA, and Walt Lender, currently executive director of the Lake George Association, who will serve as senior vice president.
“The incredible team that will make up the new LGA has been working closely together in preparation for the formal merger,” said Mr. Siy. “Their expertise and dedication — combined with the power of our many partners and the world class science and technologies of the Jefferson Project — create a truly one-of-a-kind commitment to protecting a one-of-a-kind natural treasure.”
“The threats to the Lake’s water quality are unrelenting, and the new LGA will be relentless in combatting them,” said Mr. Lender. “From our citizen scientists to world-leading research, from public education and advocacy to results-driven protection programs, we will employ state-of-the-art practices to keep Lake George clean and clear for generations to come.”
The following officers and directors have been elected to the new LGA board from among members of the existing LGA and FUND boards:
Jeffrey M. Killeen, chairman; Peter Menzies, vice chairman; William Creighton, treasurer; Roy Davis, secretary; Dr. Mary Caravella, member of executive committee; Keith Ferguson, member of executive committee; Thomas West, member of executive committee; I. Robert Wolgin, member of executive committee; Bob Bailey; Lucinda Bhavsar; James Casaccio; Geoff Cook; Charles Crew, William Dutcher; Dr. Linda Schadler Feist; George R. Hearst III; Victor Hershaft; Blair
Keller; Dr. John E. Kelly III; Ginger Henry Kuenzel; George Morris, Dennis O’Connor; and Ken Parlin.
Happy Arrival of Spring. Time to Shake off the Cold, Awaken Your Soul and Spring to Life
The picture above was taken on Saturday March 20th – the first day of Spring.
The ice on the lake is beginning to break up, especially near the edge of the shore. Most of the snow has melted and the high winds from the past week have subsided. Hopefully, if you have been away from Huletts, the beginning of warmer weather will bring you back again soon. Spring is now in the air. Take a good whiff. Hope to see you soon!
Saturday Quote
“Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love.”
– Sitting Bull