Adirondack Watershed Institute

Curious about how wildlife tracking works? Our team is dedicated to studying wildlife populations in the Adirondacks and beyond. We collaborate with partners like the Uihlein Foundation on important research, including tracking grassland bird species. Watch this video, produced by Mountain Lake PBS, to learn more about this work: https://lnkd.in/e_nPSgz7

This fall, our team has been taking Adirondack students outdoors for water quality monitoring trips. Students learn about the importance of long-term water quality monitoring, participate in sampling, and examine the physical, chemical, and biological components of a watershed.

Check out this story featuring Dr. Dan Kelting, President of Paul Smith’s College and former Executive Director of the Adirondack Watershed Institute. Dan is a renowned researcher with many years of expertise on the environmental impact of road salt.

We’re excited to announce the creation of the Adirondack Climate Outreach & Resilience Network (ACORN). The core group is made up of partners from Paul Smith's College, the Adirondack Research Consortium, and The Wild Center, with funding from NYSERDA and the Adirondack Foundation. ACORN’s rural resilience network includes local communities, organizations, and engaged individuals across the 14-county region of Northern New York State. The goal of this network is to identify community-driven solutions to ensure that our rural region is proactive in responding to climate change. ACORN will focus on shared projects that can attract state, federal, and foundation funding, making solutions accessible to everyone. For more information about the project or to attend a listening session, please visit our website at: https://lnkd.in/dUSv4X5W

Celebrate International Podcast Day by diving into our "Water Column" blog series on our website! On our website you can find Puddle Jumpers, where we spotlight local leaders making waves in the ongoing effort to protect clean water in the Adirondacks. You'll also find blog posts covering a range of topics, from water quality to wildlife camera trapping—dive in and discover. https://lnkd.in/esSR5M6F

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is encouraging participation in a new survey to help better understand typical rock salt use by New Yorkers and public awareness regarding the potential environmental and health impacts of salt overuse. Results of the survey will help DEC tailor future outreach and education to help reduce overuse of rock salt on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks. To participate in the survey, visit the Winter Rock Salt User Perception Survey form: https://lnkd.in/eCtVQs9J.

The Adirondack Invasive Species Summit 2024 is just a couple of weeks away! Join experts as they discuss topics like eDNA, invasive species management, climate adaptation, and efforts to slow the spread of Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). HWA, an invasive pest found in the southeastern Adirondacks and across New York State, has devastated hemlock forests in places like Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once infected, a healthy hemlock can die in 4-10 years. Genomic research is now helping to identify HWA-resistant hemlocks, offering hope for Adirondack forests. Join us and partnering organizations at the Tannery Pond Center on Thursday, October 10th, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, to learn more about this research and ongoing conservation efforts. The Society of American Foresters has approved 5 Continuing Forestry Education credits in Category 1 for this workshop. Participants who desire credits must attend the entire event. For more information or to register, visit https://lnkd.in/d-7mE_95

There’s still time to register for the 9th annual Adirondack Champlain Regional Salt Summit held in Lake Placid on October 1st. This free full-day event includes speakers, presentations, live demos, and panel discussion with experts in the field, municipal leaders, politicians, and vendor dedicated to the reduction of winter road salt use. Information on how to register can be found by visiting: https://lnkd.in/gsHET-jR

Recent weather conditions have created ideal conditions for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). These blooms thrive under sunny skies, warm temperatures, calm winds, and plenty of nutrients. While spotting a HAB can be tricky, there are some telltale signs to watch for. Look for water that appears greenish and has a paint-like appearance. If you suspect you’ve encountered a Harmful Algal Bloom, please report it using the Suspicious Harmful Algal Bloom Report Form available on our website: https://lnkd.in/eK_EjwjP. If you have questions about HABs, please send us an inquiry to [email protected].

Late summer and early fall are some of the best times to enjoy the Adirondacks, especially on the water. September is a busy month for our science team, as we deploy multiple field teams each week, resulting in hundreds of samples to process in our NYS Certified Environmental Research Lab. We hope you’ve found time to appreciate Adirondack waters during this recent stretch of beautiful weather.