AdkAction creates projects that address unmet needs, promote vibrant communities, and preserve the natural beauty of the Adirondacks for all.
AdkAction and its projects will significantly improve the social, economic, and cultural lives of local residents and enhance the long term natural resources and character of the Park.
Members are the lifeblood of AdkAction, generating ideas, inspiration, passion, and financial support to make our many projects possible. Members pay annual fees that keep our work going, and in return, receive the pride of taking action to improve the Adirondacks for future generations.
Membership is open to all students, individuals, families, and business that are interested in the future of the Adirondacks. Being a member is as simple as paying dues to support our work. With one annual membership donation you can support our entire portfolio of projects benefitting everyone in the Adirondacks. Members may also volunteer, attend our events, and serve on project committees. Learn more about the benefits of being an AdkAction member on our membership page:
AdkAction recognizes that as a state park, the Adirondack Park belongs to all New Yorkers and, at the same time, serves as an international model for sustainable development, balancing the needs of people and the natural systems on which they depend. We also recognize that all people, those who live here and those who visit here, have a crucial interest in protecting, enhancing, and experiencing the intrinsic beauty, abundant biodiversity, and vitality of the Adirondack Park and its communities, and that all are entitled to equal access to the Park’s public lands. We recognize that people’s Adirondack experiences are not uniformly positive and that some residents and visitors feel unwelcome to explore, participate in, and benefit from the region’s many and varied opportunities. All of us at AdkAction, individually and collectively, condemn negative and hurtful acts of discrimination, exclusion, and racism that have diminished the promise of the Adirondacks. We pledge ourselves to find and incorporate perspectives in our work that will make the Adirondacks more welcoming to diverse traditions, cultures, values, identities, and ways of life. We commit ourselves to lift and amplify diverse voices that foster respect and equality both within our organization and in our communities. In light of these principles and values, AdkAction will actively work to ensure that our projects are beneficial, inclusive, and open to all.
We work to limit pollution from road salt, expand internet access, conserve pollinator habitat, revitalize communities, promote artists, and improve quality of life in the rural communities of the Adirondack park. Learn about our diverse portfolio of active projects:
Food from small-scale family farms is often more expensive than food at chain grocery stores, putting it out of reach for many Adirondack families. It is also more sustainable, ethical, and better for our local economy. We are working towards a future in which Adirondack farmers can feed the region and local families can afford to buy local food by providing funding to purchase farm fresh products for qualifying families.
Road Salt pollution is threatening Adirondack waters. Studies now show that Adirondack lakes and streams near roads are contaminated and drinking water wells are becoming contaminated at an alarming rate.
The Land Bank Project’s goal is to address the affordable housing shortage for low and middle income families in the Adirondacks by taking a lead role in catalyzing the development of a regional land bank.
AdkAction emerged during the summer of 2007 when a group of more than 30 Adirondack residents held meetings in their living rooms to discuss environmental and community challenges. The idea of forming an action committee to make progress for the Adirondacks arose at the earliest meetings. The group concluded that such a committee, with its ability to raise money, and support important issues, was needed to advocate for the specific interests of the Adirondacks.
During the fall of 2007 AdkAction moved from concept to reality. A community survey produced the following high-priority issues which at least 2/3 of the respondents Agreed or Strongly Agreed were important:
Many of the ideas from the survey became AdkAction projects. With such a rich variety of project ideas, the non-profit board of directors that formed to govern AdkAction decided that the number of project areas that the organization would take on would depend only on the number of passionate people on the board. AdkAction became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit early 2011.
Today, each of our projects is lead by a passionate board member with the help of AdkAction staff. Experts are brought in as necessary, and we work with partner organizations and consultants to ensure adequate capacity and expertise in each project area. With this structure we are able to have a positive, out-sized impact on Adirondack communities.
Our current projects include conserving pollinator habitat, preventing road salt pollution, promoting local artists, increasing access to high-speed internet, and revitalizing Adirondack communities, and increasing food access. We manage and execute our projects to the highest standards with clear measures of success in place.
Pictured above: Two of our founding board members, Marsha Stanley and Dave Wolff, with Stephanie Ratcliffe, Executive Director of The Wild Center.