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Mission
The mission of the Conservation Committee is to support ADK Club and member activities and projects related to land-use, water quality, urban sprawl, reduction of pollution and the wise use of natural and other resources.
Conservation, advocacy and stewardship
ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter members are invited to actively participate in local and regional conservation projects organized and managed by the ADK Club, the ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter or other fellow conservation organizations.
Local Advocacy
ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter members are urged to actively participate in their village, city or town and county Conservation Advisory Commissions or Boards with objectives to promote environmentally wise measures and regulations at the local and the regional level.
Upcoming Activities
Great River Sweep. April 17 2010 (rain date April 18). Plum Point Beach Cleanup
Plum Point is the site of the MHADK paddle fest. We will meet at Plum Point Beach in New Windsor at 9:00am. Bring heavy gloves, garbage bags, rakes, boots. Contact Jean-Claude (tel: 845-462 0142 evening) for directions and car pooling info.
Conservation Hike, Black Rock Forest. June 5th, 2010 - Sayi Nulu (sayinulu@yahoo.com) 845-264-2270. Meet 9:30 AM at location: 29 Continental Road, Cornwall, New York 12518.
We will have a guided tour with BRF staff, the Center for Science and Education and the Forest Lodge. Their design and Construction are based on Green Technologies for energy conservation, using renewable energy with solar panels on the roof and with geothermal heating and cooling system. Following the visit we will hike a 5 - 6 mile loop that will take us to Mount Misery, Black Rock, Hill of Pines, with some easy bushwhacking. We discuss the geology of the area and of the Highlands..
For more information contact hike leader Jean-Claude Fouere: jcfouere@optonline.net
Regional advocacy
ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter members are invited to become actively involved with regional conservation issues and advocacy such as:
Catskill Belleayre Resort Development Project
The ADK and its local chapters have been actively involved with the DEC scoping process and have made a number of tangible recommendations to make the proposed development more attuned with the Catskill environment. More information about the project planning status can be found on the Catskill Heritage Alliance web site http://www.catskillheritage.org/.
Shawangunk Ridge Coalition
The Shawangunk Ridge Coalition is an advocacy alliance of grassroots, regional, and national organizations dedicated to creating a continuous, protected corridor along the entire 50-mile length of the magnificent Shawangunk Ridge in New York. An explosion of development proposals threatens to destroy this precious environment. Its mission is to protect the Ridge's pristine water quality, unique wildlife habitat, and biodiversity, and to provide public access to its spectacular beauty and world-famous recreational opportunities. Access link: www.shawangunkridge.org
NY State conservation advocacy
URGENT: Environment Protection Fund AT RISK:
While Governor Paterson has proposed a record $134 billion executive budget that actually increases state spending, the governor's proposal is a moratorium on state land acquisition. The open space category of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) would go from about $59 million to zero. For the first time in nearly 15 years, neither DEC nor Parks would have a single dime to buy land or conservation easements to protect natural resources and water supplies, including New York City's Catskill/Delaware watershed.
Other Paterson budget "highlights":
33 percent reduction in the EPF, cutting it to $143 million.
Deep staffing cuts at the Department of Environmental Conservation
Closure of some state parks and a reduction of hours at many others.
Closure of the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Centers at Paul Smiths and Newcomb.
Please contact your local assemblyman and senator:
Assembly:
http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
Senate:
http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/senators?OpenForum
and the governor directly:
http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/index.html
Land Stewardship
The ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter is currently involved with several projects that encourage the participation of Chapter members:
1. Maintenance of the Beaver Meadow leanto and Millbrook Ridge Trail in the Catskills Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest; contact: Frank Dogil - email: frankpat@prodigy.net
2. Monitoring and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail Corridor in Dutchess County; contact: Jane Geisler; tel: 1-845-677-9909
3. Maintenance of the Fanny Reese Preserve in Highland, NY; contact: Russ Faller - email: russoutdoors@yahoo.com
The MH ADK chapter is currently working on several conservation issues and projects. Your active support is needed and welcome. Please contact:
Jean-Claude Fouere
Conservation Committee Chair Tel: 1-845-462 0142 JCFouere@optonline.net
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