Now as I stroll down the streets of Saranac Lake and look to the homes that are still standing, I remember the stories that were told and picture the images of the people who were once here.

The art of storytelling seems to have gone by the wayside. Stories, events and personal experiences would be lost if not shared and passed down to the next generation.

Therefore, I thank all the individuals who still believe in this art and took the time to share their pieces of forgotten history.

The post The Art of Storytelling appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

On January 23^rd, The Wild Center, located in Tupper Lake, will provide everyone the opportunity to review, input or comment on the initial draft of the Sustainability Plan.

The ambitious plan has many key points that I think will bring stability in the North Country; especially when we face economic uncertainty. There are many individuals that are currently seeking viable employment and I hope this plan brings some economic growth into many towns that are seeing a rise in unemployment and a reduction in their annual census.

I read an article that stated the average age of individuals living in Hamilton County is 45 years of age. This means that many recent college graduates and families could not find work and were unable to settle in the very town they grew up in.

As I look around the North Country, I see that many colleges and communities have taken the initiative by beginning to integrate sustainable projects within their town and educational institution. Yet, I see that there many opportunities for so much more.

Therefore, I would love to hear from all of you as to what you think your town needs to be sustainable? Or perhaps your town has begun integrating sustainability projects and you would like to share what your town has done.

The post North Country Sustainability Plan appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

The recipe calls for 1 cup dark molasses, ½ cup of brown sugar and enough snow to fill two pie pans. In a pan, boil the molasses and sugar together until you made thick syrup. Then, pour the mixture on clean (not yellow) white snow to make little circles, curlicues or squiggledy things in the pie pans. The mixture will harden at once and make a tasty candy treat. You can break the candy into bite-sized pieces or keep the shape that you created. Remember, set aside a piece for the cooks and store the rest for later.

Voila! You are done. Enjoy!

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The post Merry Christmas appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

Another species that is not common in our area is the Pacific Loon. This Loon was spotted at Pillar Point in Jefferson County. Several bird nerds have spotted the species off South Shore Road. Therefore, if you are in that neck of the woods swing on by to Pillar Point with binoculars in hand to catch a glimpse of the Loon.

Many species come and go in our neck of the woods and I enjoy seeing old friends that return to the landscape year after year. So if you would like to participate in this wonderful program, contact your local Audubon society for their annual Christmas Bird Count.

May you all have a very merry Christmas!

The post Christmas Bird Count appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

I make my way about half way across the trail and find a fallen hemlock tree. I inch closer and take in its beautiful sweet smell. Luna jumps over the tree and stands guard a few feet ahead of me. Her ears are perked up with each new sound and I can only wish I had her exceptional hearing.

I take off my backpack, unzip the first pouch and begin to fill the pack with hemlock branches. There must be at least 101 uses for hemlock needles. Their sweet smell is contagious and I must think about what i should do with all these needles on my way home.

Over an hour has past, and Luna and I are finally home. Luna bolts into the door like a cannon and finds her place beneath the table. I shake off the pile of snow from my boots, and place my snowshoes in porch as I enter the cabin. I place the hemlock needles on the table and begin to ponder what I should make. Perhaps I will stuff the needles in fabric to make ornaments, or I will hang the boughs across the window. There are so many decisions and I am still left undecided.

Perhaps all of you can help me in deciding what I should make with hemlock branches. So what do you think I should I make?

The post The sweet smell of hemlock needles appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

This is the first year I was able to attend and I came away with not only many things to ponder about but also many great ideas I can implement in my classroom. The two-day conference was filled room to room with local and regional youth attending private and public educational institutions.
They had a wonderful chance to discuss, collaborate, innovate and network with one another to bring new ideas to their schools. Their energy was contagious as each school discussed what sustainable and energy efficient resources are currently implemented in their school; as well as what they hope to see implemented.

One of the many ideas I enjoyed listening to over and over again was how much each of their school’s faculty members and community members encourage them to seek new and fresh ideas to make their school and community a better place. While many of the strategies do require a large start up cost; there were many ideas that required little to none initial monetary funding. One of the ideas from a student was to have each roof, of her school’s buildings, absorb less heat energy from the sun. This would be accomplished by painting each roof a white color. Such as simple action would reduce their energy cost to each of the school’s buildings because the white paint would reflect, not absorb the heat from sun’s rays. Ideas such as these are simple and can be effectively implemented with little monetary funding.

So this got me thinking, I wonder what else is occurring in the Adirondacks. Do you see the youth in your towns taking an initiative to be more involved in their school system? If so, what projects are occurring in your towns? I would love to hear what is happening in our neck of the woods.

The post Adirondack Youth Climate Summit appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

Warm weather has graced the landscape today. Jackets are optional and shorts are worn by many who are defiant against the upcoming season. I silently rejoice their stubbornness as I am cloaked in a warm jacket.
The upcoming cold season reminds me of the numerous ways in which animals “prepare” for the season. Many species migrate to a distant land, while others hibernate for the duration of the season; and others slumber in a dormant state within their dens. Black bears are one species that does not truly hibernate. They sleep in a state of dormancy and can be easily woken up during the winter season. During the summer and fall months, this species can eat roughly 34 pounds a day. This aids in their survival of the long winter season.

Yet, I am always reminded as to what humans have to do to survive the winter, especially when we migrate outdoors. The harsh cold temperatures and brutal winds are a combination that can lead to hypothermia. Proper clothing and knowing your surroundings before you venture deep into the woods can aid in your winter excursion. Enjoying the outdoors should be a enjoyable experience and not one filled with worry or fear.

Now, I would not usually provide information regarding an upcoming Winter Survival class but I think it is worth mentioning. Learning some basic “how to” skills can be acquired in this one-day class with licensed NYS outdoor guides.

For further information contact Kelly Stang from the NYSDEC at kjstang@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Lastly, Before I close this post, I hope everyone will be safe and sound with the upcoming hurricane. It seems this upcoming storm may bring high winds and torrential winds, depending on your location.

Therefore, please be careful everyone!

The post Winter Survival appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

First and foremost let me begin by apologizing for my delayed blog entries. I have recently begun teaching a college course and time allowance has ceased to exist.
However, quite a bit has happened in the Adirondacks since my last post. The autumn season has reached full peak and beautiful crimson colors have decorated our landscape. Corn mazes, farmer’s market and october festivals have reached every little Adirondack town.

Also, in the news a moose was shot and killed near Wilmington Notch by a state wildlife official.

The moose, now called Bruce the Moose, was at the bottom of the West Branch of the AuSable River. It seemed as though its hind legs were hurt and it did not move from its location for a couple of days.

The moose instantly became a celebrity, as most people have not seen a moose up close and personal.

The DEC wildlife official felt it was the best course of action to shoot and kill the animal, due to its dwindling health.

However, many people wish that the DEC wildlife official did take this course of action. They suggested that it should have been left to die from natural causes; albeit in the river or in the woods.

While I have mixed feelings upon this matter, I turn to you for an opinion.

What is your opinion on this matter? Should the DEC wildlife official intervened and put the moose out of its misery? Or should he have been left it to die naturally, without human interference?

The post Bruce the Moose appeared first on Start The Conservation: An Adirondack Environmental Blog.

The temperatures have begun to dip each night in the forties and thirties and I have found myself dusting off my cookbooks in search of a good tea recipe.
Piles and piles of books have spilled across my kitchen as I anxiously look for the ‘perfect’ recipe. Several hours later proved to be unresourceful and the perfect recipe was not found. Perhaps I was trying to hard or looking in the wrong books, but I felt like I needed something to match with the season.

I began sending out emails hoping someone would have that perfect recipe and was willing to part with it.

Then one day it came to me as I was walking in the woods. I came across a White Pine tree and remembered a lovely tea recipe that I fondly enjoyed.

It was easy to make and had a mild, yet refreshing taste to it. I was amazed at myself that I had completely forgotten all about it.

Therefore as I sit here and drink my second cup of tea for today I decided that I should share this recipe with all of you.

The recipe is as follows:

Pour one cup of boiling water over a “handful” of chopped pine needles and cover.

Use a jar or teapot with a lid and let steep for about 15-30 minutes.

Strain and sweeten to taste (I have found that honey tastes better than sugar.)

Enjoy and may all of you have a wonderful day!

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