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Director's Report
January, 2015
Tom Ortmeyer, 315-265-8219
2014 was an active year for ADK’s Field Programs, led by Wes Lampman, North Country Operations Director and Julia Goren, Summit Steward Coordinator. The 16 member pro trail crew built 366 rock steps, 122 water bars, 464 feet of foot bridging, 6 miles of sidecutting, and removed 512 blow downs from trails. Their work was done across the Adirondacks and Catskills, plus a project in the Labrador Hollow Unique Area. The pro crew is funded from a variety of sources, including DEC and the Adirondack 46’ers. The Volunteer Trails Program included projects at Cascade Mountain, Johns Brook Valley, Great Camp Sagamore, Elk Lake and Long Lake, plus 5 projects for High School aged teenagers. I participated in the Sagamore work week, where we were ably led by staff members Jake and Jake. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The ADK Summit Steward program celebrated its 25th year this year. The program included 312 days of peak coverage with 28,488 hiker contacts made by the stewards. Summit stewards provide education, trail work and research toward protecting New York’s fragile alpine ecosystem. The program includes both paid and volunteer stewards, with 6 new volunteer stewards for a total of 15 volunteer stewards who provided 60 days of summit coverage this year. Volunteer steward training is held at the beginning of the season.
These club activities provide a real and lasting benefit to the Adirondack Park and its back country visitors.