The Fingernail Tour

Last weekend, as a class, we went to Essex Farm in the Adirondacks. Mark Kimball guided us around the farm he owns with his wife, on the self proclaimed “fingernail tour” (if the farm was a body then we glimpsed the tip of the fingernail). After some jumping jacks and several quick pushups, Mr. Kimball felt we were ready to take advantage of our slim hour and a half. Even with the repeated prefacing from professor Dash of his eccentricities, I don’t think any of us could have remotely predicted how our day would end up. Running a farm like Kimball does, as in natural, diverse, and highly successful, requires dedication, something I don’t think anyone would take away from him. The tour we were taken, however, dealt less with the intricacies of owning and running a farm, and more to do with the answering the question of why bother in the first place.

While fully elaborating on our small adventure with Mark Kimball would take too many words for this blog post, I think it can be somewhat encapsulated with: “weird!” As I would guess he might even note, the word weird carries with it a potentially unmerited negative connotation. But to be weird is to stray from what is expected, or to stray from normalcy. Ultimately, I think many of us recognize the fundamental value in not always going with the grain; value exists in looking at things differently, trying to evaluate them for what they are rather than how they are commonly perceived, and I believe that was at the core of Mark’s message.

I waited a week to write this about Essex Farm because I wanted to think about it longer. And while I may have forgotten more of the details, the ideas have still resonated deeper. However subtle it might be, I think meeting the wacky farmer Mark Kimball had an impact on me and especially the way I think about farming. I’m not sure those thoughts are fully developed yet, but for now have been at least inspiring enough to think about reaching out to him for potential work in the future.  Fresh maple syrup yogurt doesn’t hurt either.   

Tales of the Origins of Maple Syrup

Who decided that it would be a good idea to collect the "water" inside of maple trees and boil it down? How did that person know that the resulting product would be safe to consume, or better yet, delicious? Unfortunately, history has done a good job hiding the true origins of maple syrup. Yet still, there are several tales and stories of how maple syrup came to be.

Algonquin legend has it that one day the chief of the tribe returned after a hunting trip and threw his tomahawk ax into a sugar maple tree [1]. The warm spring weather caused sap from the maple tree to run out of the wound and drip from the ax into a birch bark container that contained moose meat that the chief's wife was about to cook [2]. Too lazy to get different water from the river, the wife cooked the meat in the sap water, and the thickening syrup formed around the meat [1]. Terrified that she had ruined the meal, the wife fled from the cooking, but her husband enjoyed the meal very much [2]. The syrup was called "sinzibuckwud," meaning "drawn from wood" and became a custom among the Algonquin people [1].

In the Iroquois nation, legend tells a different tail. One day, one of the youths in a tribe observed a squirrel as it ran up a maple tree and bit off a small branch, then proceeded to lick the sap off of the twig [2]. The young Iroquois broke off a stick an imitated the squirrel, surprised to find that the sap was sweet [2]. From the squirrel's mannerisms, the Iroquois discovered maple syrup.

For years, maple trees were tapped with wooden spigots and sap was collected into birch bark containers. Once Europeans witness the tastefulness of maple syrup, they introduced metal spigots and wooden buckets to provide for easier, more reliable collection. Over time, the maple syrup industry grew, and maple syrup and sugar become an important component of the upstate New York diet.


Sources:
[1] http://vermontmaple.org/about-us/history-of-maple/
[2] http://www.homesteadarts.org/maplelore.html

Not just mountains

I used to believe that the Adirondacks were simply far-away mountains. My family has a history with the Adirondacks. My mom and her brother grew up in Rochester New York, a mere three hours from the boundary of the park. During high school and college, my uncle made the trip up to his friend’s cabin in the Shadow of Mt. Marcy. From this home base, they explored the park in its entirety eventually summiting all 46 high peaks. To my uncle, the mountains were not just mountains but a playground where love of the wilderness became imbued within my uncle’s personality. I know he never let go of the playground lessons taught by those mountains. From scuba diving to safaris, my uncle never stopped exploring the natural world.  Going to the mountains were for him, the perfect lesson plan.

The Adirondacks are not just mountains but the home to lifelong friendships. When I was on my own backpacking adventure in Yosemite another venture of the Adirondacks happened to be on my trip. This short, nerdy, and thin kid had, hiked the 46 peaks in 35 straight days. It was do doubt phenomenal feat but, that was not what struck me about his trip.  The weather for his trip was less than stellar. He had spent 35 days slogging through the mud, shivering in lean-to, and fighting with stoves that refused to light. Nevertheless, he had been with his five friends and they had toughed it out through all of it. With the kind of nostalgia that only a recent high school graduate can muster, he felt that he had never been closer to a group of people. He felt that there was no better way possible to experience the end of high school. He felt that there was no better way to experience the uncertainty that came with it. To this kid, the mountains were a challenge worth conquering.

The Adirondacks are not just mountains but some people’s entire lives. The author of our Atlas, Jerry Jenkins has spent most of his life trying to understand the ecology and history of the Adirondacks and the people living there. If you asked Jenkins what that Adirondacks meant to him, I have no idea what he would say. But, I guarantee that it would be different from every other person in the world. In fact, I’d wager that you could ask every person who has had an experience with the Adirondacks what that meant to them, and each one would give you a different answer.  I used to believe that the Adirondacks were far away mountains but now I know that those who have been there have held on to their experiences for years. The Adirondacks aren’t far away at all 

Mount Colden Trap Dike

Trap Dike in Mount Colden (Adirondack Explorer)

Located in the Adirondacks, Mount Colden is well known for its Trap Dike which is a large crevice that runs up the center of the mountain. The dike takes around an hour or two to complete and has an ascent of two thousand feet. It can be seen by many hikers across the water on Avalanche Lake's west shore. However, hikers tend to avoid this path altogether due to some unstable areas. It is one of the more easier non-technical routes in the Adirondacks which means it does not require the use of ropes, harnesses, or helmets but for those who dare to climb the dike, some still bring gear to ascend. Once at the top, the view can be pretty amazing.

(46climbs)

While the dike can be accomplished without proper equipment, it can still be dangerous and even fatal. A student that attended Binghamton University died in late 2011 after slipping and falling head-first to a crux section of the climb. Matthew Potel was 22 at the time when he attempted to climb the Trap Dike with seven other members of the school's outdoors club. Potel was able to make it across a slippery gorge but there were two students who had trouble getting over. So as an outdoor educator and the one who planned the trip, Potel tried to help the students get across but tragically slipped and fell to his death. He was an experienced climber but he did not account for how slippery the Dike was going to be after Hurricane Irene.

Sources:

• http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/outtakes/climber-dies-in-trap-dike
• http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/trapdike
• https://www.mountainproject.com/v/trap-dike-summer/106066142
• http://46climbs.com/fun-trip-adirondack-trapdike/
• http://nypost.com/2011/10/03/hiker-dies-a-hero/

Farmers Batten Down the Hatches

With widespread impacts on the ecology, economy, and community in the Adirondacks, climate change is a hot topic featured weekly in news sources all over New York. In the Adirondacks, The media frequently focuses on climate change impacts on winter tourism such as skiing and snowmobiling. However, much less attention has been given to another important business in the Adirondacks. Climate change has had and will have a profound impact on Adirondack agriculture.

Farmers are very well in tune with the landscape. They have to be, their yield is directly linked to their ability to anticipate weather and season changes. In turn, farmers have been aware for a while of the rapidly shifting climate. Increased precipitation events, higher temperatures, and heat stress days have already begun to affect crop yields in many places in the Adirondacks. Dairy products, apples, potatoes and cabbage, products highly favored by Adirondack farmers, will be increasingly difficult to grow as the temperature increases.

The earth’s climate has never been static, however, the rate of climate change farmers are facing today is unknown to previous generations. The increased occurrence of extreme weather in the last few decades creates challenges for agriculture. Flooding, drought and heat stress, in particular, have been problematic for farmers in the Adirondacks. Flooding causes planting delay, root damage, soil loss from erosion and contamination of water supplies for crops. Drought diminishes the quality of produce and decreases the yields of rain-fed crops. Increasing heat puts pressure on grain crops. Increasing night and daytime temperatures influence plant development and in turn, reduce crop yield.

Farmers are well aware of the potentially catastrophic damage climate change will have on their business. And steps have already been taken to begin the process of adaptation. Unlike the business of winter sports tourism, which can supplement higher temperatures with machinery, farmers have to think ahead.  In 2015, a $1.4 million dollar grant program launched by Governor Cuomo was instated to “mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture-related activities and increase the resiliency of farms throughout New York State in the face of a changing climate” (New york State Governance). The grant has helped fund projects to develop more sustainable practices on farms often dealing with waste storage, floodplain systems, and soil health.  In addition, The Institute for Climate Change and Agriculture at Cornell University has set up a website to help facilitate farm adaptation. Through extensive research, the institute provides specific information to farms about what they can do to adapt. These online decision support tools, such as the growing degree-day tool, which shows the shifted growing day and how it compares to years in the past and the future, will help farmers make decisions with long-term factors in mind.

Sources:

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-launch-14-million-climate-resilient-farming-grant-program

http://www.adirondackcouncil.org/uploads/docs/1336586230_climate_change_paper.pdf

http://climateinstitute.cals.cornell.edu/files/2015/01/CornellClimateChange_Farming-Success-in-an-Uncertain-Climate-Dec2014_FINAL-1vhyplo.pdf

https://blogs.cornell.edu/cicca/files/2015/07/CICCA-CSF-FactSheet-July2015-FINAL-1bjnwyf.pdf

http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/29836/20151019/how-north-country-farmers-are-already-adapting-to-climate-change

https://blogs.cornell.edu/cicca/files/2015/07/CICCA-CSF-FactSheet-July2015-FINAL-1bjnwyf.pdf

Trapping and Hunting in the Adirondacks

I am in favor of the humane trapping and hunting of non-predatory species. At the start of the semester, I couldn’t bear the thought of killing wild animals just to wear their fur or eat their meat. However, after reading Paul Schneider’s The Adirondacks, I realized that trapping and hunting are more ethical and can control populations unlike fur farms.

Schneider explains that the “anti-fur logic, by necessity, imparts a moral superiority to the products of human industry and agriculture over those ‘harvested in the wild’” (73). I did not think much of this statement until Steve Hall from the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge explained fur farms. He shared that fur farms focus solely on the animals’ furs and ignore their living conditions. Trapping, on the other hand, captures wildlife that experienced suitable conditions. Because of this, trapping and hunting are morally superior options.

Buying from trappers helps finance their work so that they may continue their ethical trapping. A Cornell University study found that only 20% of trappers made money, while another 59% broke even or lost money. Intelligent buying can encourage and enable the more sustainable and ethical trapping and hunting industry. This also enables trappers to maintain their stake in preserving the land because their livelihood depends on the ecosystem’s health (Schneider 73).

My one concern regarding trapping and hunting is the harvesting of predators. Although all species play a role in the ecosystem, predators have an especially important one because they control population sizes of their prey, which then controls the population of the prey’s prey, and so on. When predators, such as wolves and cougars in the Adirondacks, are removed, their prey’s populations often rise to unsustainable levels. For example, deer and beaver populations in the Adirondacks are incredibly high. This leads to several issues including overgrazing and increased incidents with humans, such as car crashes. In response to these uncontrolled populations, humans have adopted the role of “natural predator”  by maintaining populations with hunting and trapping permits. In fact, New York relies on hunters for their beaver population management (Schneider 73).

I hope this post shows that trapping and hunting, when sustainable, can actually benefit the ecosystem and humans. Hunting and trapping is often more ethical, supportive of locals, and beneficial to the ecosystem than fur farming. Although there are issues, such as the hunting of predators, hunting and trapping play a vital role in the Adirondacks.

An image of Steve Hall and a wolf. The wolves' removal from the Adirondacks has led to uncontrolled population growth of deer and beavers. Luckily, hunting and trapping permits can help reduce their populations.

Works Cited:

http://adirondackwildlife.org/WolfieKissMothersDay2008.JPG

Schneider, Paul. The Adirondacks: A History of America’s First Wilderness. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC., 1997. Print.

Advantage Adriondacks

In 2014, leaders from Adirondack businesses and government came together to discuss the current economic situation of the park at a conference called "Advantage Adirondacks". A full report was created by the conference leader, Adirondack Partnership, to summarize the park's economic goals and strategies. Out of the four main goals that the report listed, the last one grabbed my attention: "Advance the park as a world class destination." A world class destination implies that the Adirondacks would be one of the world's best vacation spots. The Adirondacks would suddenly appear on the bucket lists of people from England and Japan. Nightmarish visions of Disneyland come to mind. While I do think more people should recognize the value in the Adirondacks, I'm just not sure the whole world needs to.
The Adirondack Park draws in a certain type of resident and tourist; one that appreciates nature, especially wild nature. Some of the strategies to implement this "world class destination" goal strengthened this idea. In order to market the park to new tourists, the report suggests an Adirondack Trail Towns initiative. There would be a public list of towns to visit for those interested in art, music, history, and shopping. It may seem to make more sense to create trails for those interested in kayaking, hiking, and snowmobiling but those aren't the economies that could use a boost. Adirondack businesses are hoping to put more focus on other cultural aspects to market to the less sporty and adventurous tourists as well as to people of all ages.
While the Adirondack Trail Towns Initiative highlights a different part of the Adirondacks, there was another strategy that seemed to introduce a whole new culture. Apparently, Wellness Services are the up and coming businesses of the park. One idea that I was on board with was "medical tourism". There would be centers for physical rehab, addiction rehab, cancer medical care, and other types of recovery. These centers would provide access to the beautiful nature of the park for those who could really use the serenity.
So far, this Advantage Adirondacks report seemed to be incorporating the spirit of the park in their marketing to tourists. Yet, "Wellness Services" also includes "spas, sales of natural body and beauty products, spiritual retreat centers, and nutrition and wellness counselors". And that's where I draw the line. Maybe I'm too limiting but the Adirondack Park is not for the tourist hoping to get a massage and mud mask. It's for the tourist ready to be sore after a day of hiking in the mud. When I imagine the Adirondack Park as a "world class destination", I see positive and negative changes to the culture. I hope that in the future, the park can continue economically prospering from drawing people in with a genuine interest in it's history and nature.






http://www.adirondackstrategies.com/
http://www.adirondackstrategies.com/pdf/advantage-adirondacks-final-full-report-2014-11-21-compressed.pdf
http://www.adirondackstrategies.com/pdf/adk-executive-summary-final-2014-11-21.pdf

Signage in the Park

With a park the size of the Adirondacks, a drive around Upstate New York can turn into a drive around the Adirondacks without too much trouble.  The "blue line" is in no way a physical border, and there are no checkpoints or ranger stations like in the National Parks out west.  The changes that occur upon entering the park are much more subtle; forests are denser, towns are smaller, and billboards disappear.  The most consistent change, however, is not in the makeup of the park itself, but in a seemingly minute detail:  the street signs change color.  Roads, bridges, lakes, and rivers are no longer announced in white and green, like in the rest of the state, but in yellow and brown.  The classic signs are at once a time-honored tradition and an intentional part of the appearance of the park.

Like many familiar with the Adirondacks, I welcome the signs as unifying reminder that I'm in a place that I love.  They are a part of the culture of the park, and are mimicked fondly on private land including the summer camp where I work.  There the wooden signs that label cabins and other buildings are painted Adirondack brown and yellow, as are the homemade signs that point down the road to the other privately owned houses and cottages on the lake.  Locals are so fond of the signs that when a 2009 proposal made by the Federal Highway Administration suggested a change from yellow to white lettering to improve visibility for drivers residents showed an overwhelming refusal.  Aside from the cost of replacing the signs, town officials from around the park also resisted against abandoning the color scheme for tradition's sake.  The yellow and brown are here to stay.

Tradition is not the only reason for keeping the signs.  The yellow and brown color scheme was originally inspired by the signs in National Parks in the west, and was implemented as an intentional marker of the limits of the park.  Today this is part of the Adirondack Park Association's attempt to help the park's "identity problem."  The signs signal to motorists that they are in a place that is special, which is something the APA thinks can be lost on visitors who only see the more developed areas of the park which crowd the roadsides. 

Whatever the reason for keeping them, I personally will continue to gratefully smile when I see the familiar brown and yellow as I drive into the Adirondacks.

Sources:

• http://poststar.com/news/local/adirondack-park-sign-change-proposal-sparks-protest/article_c331bd5d-81f3-5028-9e57-281d56dd4c62.html
• http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/what-makes-this-a-park
• https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3604/3492610400_514fdc1b56_z.jpg

DiCaprio on Climate Change

            “Our production needed to move to the southern tip of this planet just to be able to find snow,” actor Leonardo DiCaprio shared during his 2016 Academy Awards acceptance speech for his role in The Revenant. The major theme of the film is one man’s intensified relationship with nature, and apparently, for DiCaprio, both the film itself and its production induced a new compassion to protect the natural world. Throughout his acceptance speech, DiCaprio emphasizes just how grandiose of a problem climate change is by highlighting that it is the greatest threat to our entire species and for our children, as well as our children’s children. He also reflected on the fact that 2015 was the hottest year recorded in history and used the example of the production of The Revenant to emphasize changes that are already occurring.

            Climate change is not only a threat to the human species and its future offspring, but also threatens wildlife. In the case of the Adirondacks, researchers, locals and tourists alike are already seeing changes in foliage and forest life. Plants and animals that respond to cues of change in temperature and season are already facing pressure to adapt to new warmth. Having the knowledge of changes (and predicted changes) of climate in the Adirondacks helped me to feel a deep connection to DiCaprio’s speech. It is one thing for an uninformed individual to listen and to feel sadness or fear, but for those who understand what is at stake for various environments and communities, the issue feels much more worthy of such concern.

At this realization, I recognized just how important it is that we educate one another and ourselves of the scientific research and the plausible inferences that have been drawn surrounding the future of our planet. Speeches such as DiCaprio’s may be one step to informing larger audiences of the reality of the risks of climate change, but it’s just as important that these same audiences further learn and understand the specifics that are available about this prevalent issue. While the resources for this to be accomplished may be out there, I think it’s very effective that icons such as DiCaprio encourage future education and action on climate change. DiCaprio also encouraged action in addition to emphasizing climate change as the biggest threat to humanity. Though his short speech inevitably lacked specifics, he encouraged overcoming procrastination and proactively embracing change for solution.

Finally, it was clear by the reactions of many stars and attendees, such as Kate Winslet, that DiCaprio’s unexpected speech touched many. It will be interesting to see and hear of reactions to the speech, both in the press and around campus. I hope that those who were touched and have the means to further support change through activism and donation will do so. Furthermore, I hope everyone who heard the speech is beginning to realize how great of a threat climate change truly is, and that each of us must take the matter into our own hands.

Check out the speech below!

http://oscar.go.com/news/winners/watch-leonardo-dicaprios-acceptance-speech-for-best-actor-2016

The Historic and Future Adirondack Antidote?

For seventy years (1884-1954), the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium (aka Trudeau Sanatorium) was a safe haven for tuberculosis (TB) sufferers. In 1884, Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau – diagnosed with TB himself – established the sanitarium in Saranac Lake under the impression that the clean Adirondack Mountain air helped cure TB patients. In the sanitarium early days, patients were treated in a one-room cottage named “Little Red” and followed a regimen of strict diet and hours outside in the “fresh, cold” mountain air.

Little Red (https://localwiki.org/hsl/Trudeau_Sanatorium_History)

            As Trudeau’s “rest cure” treatment claimed high success rates, a number of wealthy, New York City sportsmen began to sponsor the sanitarium. Their wives often held charity fundraisers that also helped pay for the sanitarium’s services. It was well known that although the services were not free-of-charge, the sanitarium often treated those who were unable to pay the full costs for TB treatment.

Backed by wealthy sponsors, the sanatorium eventually expanded from the single cottage to a 90-acre estate populated with rest homes. These homes were furnished with “cure porches” that allowed patient to breathe in the mountainous air. While exposure to the fresh air on the porch, patients were also encouraged to socialize on keep morale high. At the peak of the illness, TB patients were shunned by society and had to look at each other for camaraderie and support.

TB patients on a "cure porch" (Adirondack Explorer)

With the advent of effective antibiotics to treat TB, patient occupation at the sanitarium dwindled. The sanatorium eventually closed in 1954. Today, Little Red and the Trudeau statue can be find at a new site as memorials. Moreover, tours are offered by Historic Saranac Lake, a non-profit organization focused on historic preservation.

Although the sanatorium did not provide a scientific remedy, its services were important insofar as they maintained hope and fostered friendship among TB patients. With regard to climate change and its consequence – specifically the spread of infectious disease – will the Adirondacks once again become a safe haven for the sick? Perhaps people will migrate to the Adirondacks as they seek both altitude and latitude safety from vector-borne diseases. Maybe another physician in the future will profit from the “Adirondack antidote” just like Trudeau.

Adirondack Cottage Sanatorium in 1930 (Adirondack Explorer)

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adirondack_Cottage_Sanitarium

https://localwiki.org/hsl/Trudeau_Sanatorium_History

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9807E3D8173DE733A25750C2A9619C946497D6CF

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/27/health/a-magic-mountain-of-fresh-air-sexual-frolicking-and-oh-yes-recovery.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/book_reviews/portrait-of-healing-curing-in-the-woods

Morality and Murder in the Park

If you’re anything like me, you, too, probably crave the occasional murder mystery book or crime scene investigation (CSI) show. As unfortunate as it is when gruesome crimes like this occur in real life, it’s often that more captivating. The investigator inside us all starts begging for more information, but sometimes the crime scene gets too close to home. During the 1970s the safety of people living in the Adirondacks crumbled as Robert Garrow, of Dannemora (Clinton County), NY went on a vicious killing spree, using the park’s bountiful resources to prolong his terrorizing streak.

Garrow took the lives of four people in 1973, including a high-school aged camper in the Adirondacks, which sparked a 12 day manhunt for him. Police set road blocks throughout the park, checking for the killer in car trunks, and warning drivers to not stop for any hitchhikers for fear that Garrow was posing as one. According to a 2009 book recounting the story, Garrow disrupted the peacefulness of the park, leaving people in complete fear as they armed themselves and locked their doors. Meanwhile, Garrow lived off the land to survive by eating snakes, burying himself in the ground to hide from police officers, and stealing food and soda from Adirondack hunting camps. Eventually, however, a Conservation officer tracked down and subdued Garrow in the woods. He survived and was sent to prison for 25 years to life, but escaped in 1978, and was quickly killed by correctional officers who saw him just beyond the prison walls.

People in the Adirondacks have always found ways to live off the land’s natural resources. Whether that be through logging, mining, or vacationers trying to take in the park’s natural beauty, everyone has a connection with the land. Garrow’s use of the land, however,  gives rise to questions relating to morality and the use of the land, begging us to ask and explore if there is such thing as good or bad use of the park’s natural resources.

http://murderpedia.org/male.G/g/garrow-robert.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Garrow

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23528497/adirondack-killer-who-sparked-12-day-manhunt-remembered

http://www.amazon.com/Terror-Adirondacks-Serial-Killer-Robert/dp/0979574137

Protecting Peregrine Falcons

                Peregrine Falcons are beautiful birds of prey known for being the fastest member of the animal kingdom. They are remarkable birds, perfectly adapted to their role as a predator. Adult Peregrine Falcons weigh about two pounds, are about 15 to 20 inches in length, and have wingspan of about 40 inches. Mature Peregrines are slate blue-black on their backs, with a white underside marked with dark barring. Their legs and feet are yellow with sharp, sickle-shaped talons, and they have a distinct facial feature of a black sideburns below each eye. They are built for speed, with long, pointed wings and long, narrow tails and have incredibly keen eyesight, an essential adaptation for locating and pursuing prey. Peregrine Falcons attack their prey from the sky, diving at them at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour. Peregrines can simply pluck small birds from the air, while they have to knock larger birds out of the air to further pursue them. Peregrine Falcons are adept predators and fascinating members of the wildlife of the Adirondack Park.

                  Peregrine Falcons make their nests in mountain ranges or cliff areas, so the High Peaks of the Adirondacks are a perfect habitat. Peregrines build their nests on high cliff ledges 20 to 200 feet off the ground. They use the same nesting ledges, called eyries, year after year. The female lays three to five eggs in a nest, called a scrape, which consists of a shallow depression in the gravel found on the ledge. These eyries are aggressively protected against predators by both the male and female peregrines. The young hatch after a 28-day incubation period, and stay with their parents for a few weeks to perfect their hunting skills. As cooler weather approaches, peregrines migrate south. Peregrines live for 12 years or more, but the average lifespan is 5 or 6 years. They have few natural enemies, but great horned owls and raccoons prey upon their eggs and young. Human disturbances, however, can be a problem for Peregrine survival.

                  Peregrine Falcons are classified as an endangered species, and although their population in New York is on the upswing, it is still fragile. The breeding population is still small and located primarily in the Adirondacks, so any disturbances at nest sites or the loss of habitats or individuals can have significant negative impacts on the population of the falcon. Human disturbance within the territory of a breeding pair may result in nest abandonment and the consequent death of any young. Rock climbing in the Adirondacks has been shown to be particularly disruptive to Peregrine Falcons; the best rock climbing routes and the Peregrine’s eyries tend to overlap on cliff faces. Persistent rock climbing activity near potential or existing nest sites can lead to abandonment. The regional wildlife staff now closes specific rock climbing routes during nesting seasons, preventing climbers from disturbing the nests. The areas of cliffs that are quarantined represent a balance between the recreational interests of rock climbers and the need to protect the nesting activity of this endangered species, representing the balance between wilderness and recreation that the Park struggles to maintain.

Sources:

Information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7868.html

Picture: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/kids/photos/animals/Birds/H-P/peregrine-falcon-wings-extended.jpg

Celebrities in the Adirondacks

There are a surprising number of celebrities who either grew up in or have ties to the Adirondack Park. Due to the relatively small population of the Adirondacks, and the weird talents and jobs that Adirondackers have, I was surprised to see that many celebrities have come out of the Park. There are also numerous celebrities who did not grow up in the Adirondacks, who moved there after becoming famous. Something about the beautiful landscape and the peace and quiet of the Adirondacks led a bunch of busy actors and singers out of Hollywood. Although many of these celebrities are contributing to the second home problem, they also are seriously boosting the Adirondack economy and bringing positive press to the area.

One celebrity who grew up in the Park, and continues to visit regularly, is chef and Food Network star Rachel Ray. Ray grew up in Glens Falls, but now commonly visits Lake George and Grainville during her monthly visits to the Adirondacks. Another who grew up in the Park is Lana Del Rey, native of the Olympic Village in Lake Placid. Despite her roots, she moved to California for the business and now lives a California lifestyle instead of her natural Adirondack lifestyle.

Two celebrities who did not grow up in the Park, but later grew a fondness to it are Shania Twain and Kevin Bacon. Shania Twain bought a mansion on Dexter Lake in St. Regis and built a recording studio on her property. After four years in St. Regis, donating huge sums of money to the local fire department and school system, she moved away due to arguments over additional building on her property. The people of St. Regis were sad to see her go because she helped out the town greatly. An even bigger contributor to the Park than Twain is actor Kevin Bacon. Bacon’s family has had a home in the Adirondacks for approximately one hundred years, but he grew up in Pennsylvania. He is now a member of the Adirondack League Club in Old Forge and is part of an audio tour at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. He and his brother are so enthusiastic about the Adirondack Park that they made an album called Songs to Keep: Treasure from an Adirondack Folk Collector. To hear some of their music, go to baconbros.com. Other notable celebrities with ties to the Adirondack Park are Bruce Springsteen, Sigourney Weaver, the Rockefeller family, the Vanderbilt family, the Morgan family (as in J.P. Morgan) and the DuPont family.

Kevin and Michael Bacon

·         http://www.adirondackpropertyforsale.com/celebrities-in-the-adirondacks/

·         http://www.adirondacklifemag.com/blogs/2012/06/28/celebrities-in-the-adirondacks/

·         http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-03-28/news/1997087146_1_tupper-lake-long-lake-hendrickson

·         http://www.adirondackexpress.com/News/08202013_baconbrothers