2024 Annual Report
2024 Annual Report
Local Challenges, Lasting Solutions
Here in the Adirondacks, people and nature are inextricably connected. With more than six million acres of breathtaking natural resources and over 100 unique communities, our region is a rare and delicate balance of thriving ecosystems and resilient human settlements. At AdkAction, we are proud to champion both. We believe that what’s good for our communities is good for our environment—and vice versa. This holistic approach is what makes our project-based work so distinctive: we are not just a conservation organization, and we are not just a community development organization. We are both, and we embrace the challenges and opportunities of working at this intersection.
In 2024, our commitment to serving both people and nature guided everything we did. From protecting clean water and pollinator habitats to addressing housing shortages and food security, we rolled up our sleeves and got the job done. Our initiatives ranged from advocating for broadband access in underserved communities to assisting local municipalities in building the infrastructure needed to protect our lakes and groundwater with a new salt shed. Whether the task was large or small, AdkAction was there, bringing optimism, creativity, and determination to the table.
We see the Adirondacks as an ideal proving ground for innovation—a place where bold ideas can take root. Our team is not afraid to take risks or tackle complex challenges, and when we find solutions that work, we scale them to create lasting impact. From Plattsburgh to Old Forge, from Cranberry Lake to Washington County, AdkAction is making a difference by addressing issues that matter deeply to our residents and our environment alike. We work alongside communities, not above them, ensuring local solutions are tailored to local challenges.
As you explore this Annual Report, we hope you are inspired by the stories of progress and partnership detailed within. These achievements are only possible because of your support. Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, a partner, or simply a champion of our mission, you are an essential part of this work. Thank you for believing in AdkAction and for helping us nurture a future where communities and ecosystems thrive together.
With gratitude and optimism for the future,
Sawyer Bailey, Executive Director and Elizabeth Ruscitto, Board Chair
Click any area of focus below to jump to the associated project:
Ecosystem Conservation
Community Development
It is our mission
to create projects that address unmet needs, promote vibrant communities, and preserve the natural beauty of the Adirondacks for all.
Our vision
is for our work to significantly improve the social, economic, and cultural lives of local residents and enhance the long term natural resources of the Adirondack Park.
We believe
in taking a holistic approach to complex problems, that our work derives from and is for the community, and that people and nature can thrive together.
Clean Water Protection
The Problem
Road salt is contaminating our rivers, lakes, and drinking water.
How We Take Action
We work with highway departments across the region to provide training and support in reducing road salt use while maintaining winter road safety. Our public education initiatives and advocacy for this issue are effecting change at the state level and beyond.
“The way road salt is used is so ingrained in municipal and private practices that shifting behavior is incredibly difficult. It’s not just a technical challenge—it’s a generational mindset shift.”
– Phill Sexton, WIT Advisers
Protecting Clean Water, One Driveway at a Time
Marie McMahon loves the Adirondacks with her whole heart. At Fire Side Wood, a caretaking and winter maintenance business in Lake Placid, she and her partner, Wes Schock, manage dozens of properties. When Marie noticed struggling plants, a soil test confirmed her suspicion—excess road salt was taking a toll.
Then she read the back of a bag of deicing salt. Her heart sank. They were using far more than necessary. She immediately set new policies: employees must always shovel and plow before applying salt, and when needed, it must be used sparingly. But changing ingrained habits wasn’t easy. The first time she found an employee had spread an entire 50-pound bag where just 22 cups would have sufficed, Marie stood in disbelief, staring at the pavement and the river beyond.
Determined to do more, she reached out to experts, including Phill Sexton of WIT Advisers, who works with AdkAction’s Clean Water, Safe Roads Partnership. She dove into research, implemented best practices of both mechanical and chemical components of snow removal, and began advocating for reduced salt use beyond her own business. She and Wes are even investing in specialized equipment to further reduce salt use.
Marie urges homeowners to demand better from their snow removal providers—otherwise, change won’t happen. Her advice: “Master the mechanical component of snow removal before resorting to chemicals” and “Read the back of the bag!”
Marie’s journey is a testament to the power of individual action. With every careful decision, she’s proving that one person can make a difference in protecting our water.
Testifying for Road Salt Reduction
AdkAction Executive Director Sawyer Bailey testified at the State’s Transportation Budget Hearing, urging adoption of proven salt reduction practices to protect drinking water.
A Little Salt “Gose” Long Way
AdkAction hosted a community gathering at Ausable Brewing Co. to celebrate local road crews, raise awareness about road salt reduction, and support clean water with a special salted gose beer release fundraiser.
Clean Water Safe Roads
We worked closely with 25 local and county highway crews to implement best practices for reducing road salt and sand use. Training, resources, and technical support helped crews adopt more efficient winter road maintenance strategies that balance safety with environmental protection.
Pollinator Conservation
The Problem
Many pollinator species are in decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticide use, climate change, and disease.
How We Take Action
AdkAction empowers individuals and communities to plant for pollinators by providing resources, access to native plants, and educational opportunities to encourage hands-on pollinator conservation.
“It’s amazing how your garden thrives when you plant the things that are actually supposed to grow here.”
-Native Plant Buyer
2024 Pollinator Festival
Designing a Landscape for Life
Wynde Kate Reese’s journey into permaculture design and pollinator conservation is rooted in a lifelong connection to nature. Her earliest memories are of sitting in her mother’s garden in Tupper Lake, soothed by the hum of bees and other pollinators working among the flowers and vegetables. This simple yet profound experience sparked her passion for cultivating landscapes that nurture both people and the environment.
Now, Wynde Kate’s Adirondack home is surrounded by a thriving food forest she designed with permaculture principles. Her landscape blends edible plants, perennial flowers, fruit trees, and shrubs, carefully planned to support biodiversity while providing sustenance for herself and wildlife alike. From chipmunks to porcupines, creatures of the forest find refuge and nourishment in her garden. “A food forest is not separate from nature—it is a part of it,” she reflects, balancing her harvests with sharing the bounty with her wild neighbors.
In 2024, her cherries, plums, and peaches flowered for the first time—a rewarding milestone. Thousands of blossoms and increased pollinator activity felt like a celebration of her work. “That interaction between plants and pollinators feeds my soul,” Wynde Kate shares.
AdkAction’s Adirondack Pollinator Project supports efforts like Wynde Kate’s, fostering native plants, enhancing pollinator habitats, and inspiring others to embrace these vital creatures. Through plant sales, outreach, and educational opportunities, the project ensures the Adirondacks remain a haven for pollinators—and for those who cherish them.
Engaging Volunteers in Hands-On Conservation
Over 50 volunteers from ages 8 to 80 worked side-by-side to transplant 2,000 native plants for our annual pollinator plant sale, and helped out during our Adirondack Pollinator Festival in Lake Placid.
Inspiring Lifelong Pollinator Passion
From Old Forge to Plattsburgh, pollinator-themed youth arts activities sparked conversations with young families about the beauty and importance of pollinator conservation.
Starting the First Adirondack Capped Landfill Habitat
We kicked off a three-year, large-scale pollinator meadow habitat restoration at the Town of Indian Lake’s capped landfill. This project will serve as a model for restoring over 100 other former landfills across the Adirondacks, demonstrating how underutilized spaces can be repurposed to support biodiversity and environmental health.
Regenerating Soils
The Problem
30% to 40% of all food produced is wasted, and often ends up in landfills where it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
How We Take Action
We support student-run composting business Placid Earth and work with Compost for Good to promote economically viable and ecologically resilient composting systems through education, outreach, techincal support, peer to peer connections. and research.
“Each Community in the North Country needs something a little different.”
– Laura Cook
Compost Liaison
Empowering Communities Through Composting
At the bustling dairy festival in Canton, Lauren Prentice stood behind a table covered in composting guides, chatting with curious community members about food waste reduction. Meanwhile, in Malone, Laura Cook fielded questions from local officials, explaining how composting could transform waste into a valuable resource.
One-on-one conversations, presentations, and events were just a few of the ways Compost Liaisons connected with communities this year.
Compost for Good, supported by AdkAction in 2024, launched an outreach program to promote food waste reduction and community-scale composting through dedicated liaisons embedded in local communities.
Lauren, who grew up composting, found her role eye-opening as she deepened her understanding of the science behind it. A highlight was supporting a middle school student in launching a composting initiative, inspiring a new generation of environmental stewards. One challenge she faced was addressing business concerns about cost, but she emphasized solutions that prevent food waste and encouraged early adoption of composting practices to get ahead of regulations.
Laura, co-owner of the Cook Farm in Owl’s Head, started their farm composting program in 2022. What began as simple waste management evolved into a community composting business, supported by technical assistance from Compost for Good. As a liaison, she hosted community education events, including a farm open house, library Q&A, and podcast appearance. She also presented to the Franklin County Board of Legislators, sparking municipal-level composting discussions.
Lauren and Laura have seen how composting unites communities. Their efforts showcase the power of education and local action.
Access to Housing
The Problem
The Adirondack region faces a housing crisis, with a shortage of affordable, year-round homes making it difficult for people to live and work in the communities they love.
How We Take Action
AdkAction works to expand access to housing by supporting innovative pilot programs, and collaborating with partners to increase housing options that sustain vibrant communities.
Testing a New Idea
Across the Adirondacks, communities struggle with a persistent housing shortage—one that can’t be solved through new construction alone. That’s why AdkAction, Adirondack Roots, and LivingADK launched the Long-Term Rental Catalyst pilot program in 2024. This initiative offers short-term rental (STR) owners a financial stipend to cover some of the costs of converting their properties into long-term rentals, helping to make more housing available for local residents.
The program goes beyond financial incentives. Participants are offered one-on-one guidance and access to a comprehensive toolkit that outlines the benefits and process of transitioning to long-term leasing. In its first phase, the pilot is focused on STR owners in Elizabethtown and Webb/Inlet, with the potential to expand to additional communities.
Many property owners are realizing the advantages of long-term rentals—consistent income, fewer operational costs, and a more stable connection to the community. By leveraging existing housing stock, this program is addressing the housing crisis in a practical and immediate way.
With creative, community-driven solutions like this, we’re making strides toward a future where more Adirondack residents have access to secure, affordable housing.
Long Term Rental Toolkit
Food Security for All
The Problem
Food from small-scale sustainable local farms is out of reach– both economically and physically– for the many food-insecure households in the Adirondacks.
How We Take Action
We are fighting food insecurity with multiple programs aimed at overcoming distinct hurdles. We provide free seasonal farm shares and easy to use local food stipends to families in need, while giving vital support to dozens of local farms and farm stores.
“We gained more visibility in the community and had steady support during the season.”
-Fair Share
Participating Farmer
Stronger Farms, Healthier Families
It’s harvest season, and the CSA pickup is bustling at Keene’s Wild Work Farm. Cars pull in one after another, greeted by golden leaves and the crisp autumn air. Crates of squash, hearty greens, and deep purple beets line the farm stand, ready for pickup. Farmer/Owner Lissa chats with members as they collect their produce, sharing recipes and catching up on the season’s changes. The atmosphere is lively yet familiar, a weekly ritual that connects people to their food and to each other.
Among them are AdkAction Fair Share participants, households receiving their CSA shares free of charge. But you’d never know who they are. Discretion and dignity are central to the program, ensuring that every participant is simply another valued CSA member. The goal is not just to provide food but to foster belonging, making healthy, local produce a seamless part of everyday life.
For many, the bounty extends beyond the week’s meals. “Being part of this program has given me the chance to can and preserve food for winter,” shared one Fair Share participant. “It’s such a relief knowing I’ll have healthy, local food even after the growing season ends.”
In 2024, AdkAction expanded the Fair Share program by 50%, providing fresh, local food to 154 households across Essex, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, and Herkimer Counties. The number of participating farms also doubled, strengthening the local food system while supporting both families and farmers. Fair Share demonstrates that food security is about more than just providing meals—it’s about building community, sustaining small farms, and ensuring that healthy, local food is accessible to all.
More from our Food Security Team
Fair Food Cards deliver flexible assistance
In 2024, AdkAction’s Fair Food Card program provided 100 low- and middle-income North Country households with pre-loaded cards to purchase fresh, local food from 40 approved vendors. With $100,000 in distributed funds, the program made nutritious food more accessible while supporting regional farmers.
Adirondack Food System Network
In 2024, the Adirondack Food System Network, fiscally sponsored by AdkAction, grew significantly. It hired its first full-time staff member, Josh Stephani, and hosted its largest Food Justice Summit, emphasizing the need for stronger North Country collaboration. AFSN representatives traveled statewide to elevate rural food system concerns.
A key milestone was launching regional roundtables, bringing over 100 organizations together to identify challenges, opportunities, and a shared vision. These conversations highlighted the need for collective action and expanded representation. As one farmer shared, the roundtables “made me feel heard and understood,” reinforcing the importance of collaboration in shaping the region’s food future.
Creative Placemaking
The Problem
Rural Adirondack communities face disinvestment, vacant spaces, and limited artistic opportunities, impacting social cohesion and economic growth.
How We Take Action
In Keeseville, the focal point of our community revitalization work, AdkAction is transforming shared spaces through public art, creative projects, and the annual Keeseville Community Arts Festival, celebrates local culture, supports artists, and strengthens community connections.
“I’m glad to see things like this happening in our town–It Makes me hopeful for the future.”
-Arts festival attendee survey response
Creativity as a Catalyst for Revitalization
AdkAction’s Keeseville Community Arts Festival is more than a celebration of creativity—it’s an embodiment of how the arts can drive community revitalization. Through creative placemaking, the annual festival transforms Keeseville into a lively destination for artistic expression, drawing people together around a shared love for local culture and a thriving downtown.
In 2024, the festival engaged people across generations with hands-on activities that encouraged creativity and connection. Families tie-dyed over 200 free festival shirts, while children and adults explored pottery, tile painting, and architectural coloring. The historic Stone Mill welcomed 424 visitors who enjoyed both the visual art on display and a live performance by Meadowmount School of Music students.
To support access and equity, AdkAction awarded micro-grants to six emerging artists, including local talent Noah Bonesteel, who earned first prize in the juried plein air show. Thirty-two volunteers—both year-round and seasonal residents—helped run the weekend’s events and served 12 gallons of donated ice cream to happy festivalgoers.
By celebrating the arts and investing in the local creative economy, the Keeseville Community Arts Festival continues to spark momentum for a more vibrant and connected community—one brushstroke at a time.
Supporting a $4.5 Million ‘Keeseville Forward’ Grant
Throughout 2024, AdkAction assisted with the NY Forward grant application process to fund community revitalization in the hamlet. We worked with local leaders to identify priority projects and strengthen the application, advancing efforts to create a more vibrant and sustainable community.
Broadband Coverage
The Problem
High speed internet is a necessity for modern life, but is unavailable to many Adirondack homes and businesses.
How We Take Action
We work with local, state, and federal government officials, internet service providers, and the NYS ConnectAll Office in a regional effort to identify gaps in broadband access, and to find solutions that ensure North Country residents can fully participate in and benefit from online access.
“We only get a mere 2.5mbps on a good day! Most of the time it is a lot less.”
-Broadband Survey Response, Bloomingdale
Bridging the Digital Divide
“Sorry, my internet is bad,” is a common refrain across the Adirondacks. In today’s world, internet access isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Yet, rural regions like ours remain among the hardest to connect due to rugged terrain and sparse populations. Private providers often prioritize profitability over reaching less lucrative areas, leaving many Adirondack households underserved.
AdkAction has been working to expand broadband since its founding, most recently collaborating with counties across the North Country to map unserved structures, even in areas where companies claimed connections existed. These maps and challenges are now under review, paving the way for accurate funding allocation from billions of federal dollars earmarked for broadband expansion under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Still, challenges remain. Utility companies and agencies managing infrastructure are creating delays, driving up costs, and stalling progress in the hardest-to-serve “last-mile” areas. We bring together service providers, elected officials, and agency leaders to push for equitable solutions. Our priorities include universal access to high-speed connections, enhanced affordability for low-income households, and ensuring funding reaches our communities.
From helping residents connect with local providers to advocating for affordability programs, we’ve made strides. But the long-term solution lies in fiber infrastructure that meets future data demands. AdkAction will keep advocating for the Adirondacks until “bad internet” is a thing of the past.
Advocating for Affordable Connectivity
In Spring 2024, AdkAction rallied supporters to advocate for continued funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal initiative that made internet access more affordable for millions of low-income households. Although Congress ultimately did not renew funding and the program ended, our collective advocacy helped raise awareness about the essential role broadband plays in education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. The response from our members demonstrated the power of grassroots action and reinforced our commitment to ensuring that everyone in the Adirondacks has access to reliable, affordable internet.
Monthly Broadband Convening
AdkAction continues to strengthen regional collaboration through our monthly 30-minute Broadband Conference Calls. With over 100 stakeholders on the distribution list—including internet providers, local officials, engaged residents, and representatives from state and federal agencies—these concise calls serve as a vital forum for sharing updates, best practices, and lessons learned. By keeping the conversation focused and timely, we help ensure that the North Country stays informed and connected as efforts to expand broadband access continue to evolve.
Our Team
AdkAction Staff
Sawyer Bailey
Executive Director
Kristina Hartzell
Communications & Operations Manager
Kailey Maher
Project Coordinator
Lisa Malmgren
Development Officer
Kendall Taivalkoski
Operations & Finance Coordinator
Kim Trombly
Project Manager
Thank you to departing staff members Hannah Grall and Kay Schutt for your significant contributions in 2024!
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Ruscitto, Chair
Cindy DeAngelis, Vice Chair
Lee Slocum, Treasurer
Charlotte Newbury, Secretary
Buck Bobbin
Jim Carlisle
Jerry Delaney
Eric Holmlund
Daniel Kiefer-Bach
Becky Northrup
Lisa Salamon
Cammy Sheridan
Ruth Smith
Dave Wolff
Diana Zais
Thank you to board members Steve Maikowski and Seth McGowan whose board terms concluded in 2024.
Get to Know Our Board Chair, Elizabeth Ruscitto
Elizabeth Ruscitto became AdkAction’s Board Chair in August 2024 after being confirmed by members at the annual meeting. A champion of community-driven solutions, she first connected with AdkAction through broadband advocacy and quickly became a key voice on the board. In this Q&A, Elizabeth shares her vision for AdkAction’s future, the values that drive her leadership, and the initiatives she’s most passionate about.
How did you first get involved with AdkAction, and what inspired you to take on the role of Board Chair?
When I moved to the region full-time in 2020, I was researching what makes rural communities thrive, with a focus on broadband access. That’s how I learned about Dave Wolff and AdkAction’s broadband advocacy. My network connected us, and Dave’s invitation to join the Broadband for All project aligned with my passion for sustainable community development.
What started as project involvement led to a board position later that year—an opportunity I embraced because AdkAction’s community-driven solutions resonated with my beliefs about lasting change. The organization’s commitment to practical, collaborative solutions made stepping into the Board Chair role a natural extension of my commitment to making the Adirondacks my home.
How do you hope AdkAction will continue to impact the Adirondacks (or beyond) in the next five years?
I hope AdkAction stays agile while addressing key issues at the intersection of human and natural thriving. As we enter our strategic planning year and approach our 15th anniversary, we’re considering how to scale impact while preserving our ability to be nimble.
Our strength is in identifying emerging needs—stepping into spaces where others may not be working or where we can serve as a connector. We’re most effective when we leverage expertise while collaborating with partners to create lasting change. I envision us:
- Remaining agile to respond to community needs
- Developing scalable pilot programs
- Strengthening partnerships to amplify impact
- Growing sustainably while preserving effectiveness
How do you see AdkAction’s work reflecting the unique values of the Adirondacks?
The Adirondack Park represents a revolutionary idea—that environmental preservation and community vitality can strengthen each other. AdkAction embodies this philosophy by being both responsive and strategic.
Just as the Adirondacks show how wilderness and communities thrive together, AdkAction’s nimble, project-based approach creates lasting impact. We reflect Adirondack resourcefulness—stepping in where needed, collaborating with partners, and finding innovative solutions that serve both people and place. Our work reflects Adirondack values through:
- Uniting diverse stakeholders to tackle shared challenges
- Honoring both community needs and environmental stewardship
- Balancing responsiveness with long-term planning
- Fostering collaboration that strengthens communities and ecosystems
Like the Adirondack Park itself, we show that being small and adaptable is an advantage when driving meaningful change.
Are there any particular AdkAction initiatives or issues you’re especially passionate about championing?
Two initiatives resonate with me: housing accessibility and broadband connectivity. Running multiple companies from the Adirondacks, I’ve seen how crucial broadband access is for economic opportunity. But working here means little if people can’t find places to live.
The housing challenge is personal. As a young professional trying to buy a house in the region for three years, I’ve experienced the complexity firsthand. While my parents retired here, providing me a place to land, that’s a privilege many young professionals and working families don’t have. The lack of housing inventory and long-term rentals makes it hard for people to stay, affecting the region’s ability to attract and retain those who can help communities thrive.
If you could encourage everyone in the Adirondacks to take one small action, what would it be?
I’d encourage everyone to raise their hand and ask, “How can I help?” This simple yet powerful step opens doors to meaningful involvement. Whether it’s at your library, school board, community programs, or with nonprofits—start by asking your neighbors what they need.
This mindset, combined with awareness of our environment, creates something special. Whether volunteering for watershed protection, joining a community planning session, or supporting local initiatives, every action strengthens both community and environment. The Adirondacks thrive when people recognize that supporting communities and protecting nature are part of the same mission—it starts with simply asking how you can help.
Fueled by Community, Driven by Impact
At AdkAction, every dollar we receive is a testament to the power of community-driven change. We steward our resources with care, ensuring that your contributions directly support innovative projects that make the Adirondacks a better place to live, work, and explore. With transparency, accountability, and a commitment to impact, we turn generosity into action—creating lasting solutions for the region we all cherish.
2024 Year-End Financial Note:
This information is based on unaudited financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year, January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. A copy of the latest annual filing for AdkAction may be obtained, upon request, from the organization (PO Box 64, Keeseville, NY 12944), on our website, adkaction.org, or at the NYS Office of the Attorney General at charities.nys.com.
Creative Giving in Action
Jamie Svenson believes in taking action when she cares about something. That’s exactly what happened when she and her husband, Patrick Schnell, attended AdkAction’s Keeseville Community Arts Festival in 2023. They immediately saw that AdkAction was tackling all the issues they cared most about, and became members on the spot.
Jamie, a remote employee supporting Protiviti Inc., a subsidiary of her employer, Robert Half Inc., quickly saw an opportunity to amplify her support. Through her employer’s Community Impact program, employees can have their donations and volunteer hours matched—up to $1,500 annually. She designated AdkAction as her charity of choice.
But she didn’t stop there. When her company launched a fitness challenge awarding funds to charities based on steps walked, Jamie signed up as a team leader. She rallied her remote colleagues—most of whom had never heard of the Adirondacks—to support AdkAction. “I may have strongly encouraged them to choose AdkAction,” she says with a smile. The result? Nearly $8,000 in corporate-matched donations and counting.
Jamie’s passion for AdkAction is contagious. She’s proving that one person’s enthusiasm can inspire others—even from miles away—to invest in the Adirondacks. “I encourage anyone who supports AdkAction to check if their employer offers donation matching or other giving incentives,” Jamie says. “There are so many creative ways to make an even bigger impact—you just have to ask.”
Ways to Give
Leadership Circle
Lead the way to our sustainable future by joining our circle of leadership-level donors. Learn more here.
$1,000+
Legacy Gifts
Ensure a bright future for the Adirondacks by including AdkAction in your estate plans.
AdkAction is proud to support local artists. Thank you to Adirondack-based artist Lionheart Graphics for creating the cover artwork for this year’s report.
To request a physical copy of the 2024 AdkAction Annual Report, please contact [email protected]. Include your name and mailing address in your request.