(05/24/12) Over the last week, tightrope walker Nik Wallenda's been in Niagara Falls, practicing for his June 15th walk over the famous Falls.
The Innovation Trail's Daniel Robison joined hundreds of people at the scene and found Wallenda's presence inspired an eclectic, carnival atmosphere in the hard scrabble city of 50,000. more
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Outdoor Recreation
(05/24/12) The Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb will try a new twist on the "rubber duck race" on Saturday, using rubber loons instead. The event is part of the center's celebration of its first anniversary under the leadership of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Proceeds will support educational programs at the center.
The event will focus on the two most iconic symbols of human and natural history in the Adirondacks: logs and loons. Some 500 black-and-white rubber loons will be dropped into the Rich Lake outlet for a 425-yard floating race. Prizes will be awarded for those who sponsored the winners. Visitor's center program coordinator Paul Hai told Todd Moe that a California company, CelebriDucks, manufactured the rubber loons for the race.
(05/23/12) A new ruling by a state Supreme Court could force five counties in the North Country and the Hudson Valley to pay millions of dollars a year to help fund dam operations in the southern Adirondacks. The decision found that it is reasonable for counties to be charged for the benefits they receive in the form of flood protection from dams located on Great Sacandaga and Indian Lake.
As Brian Mann reports, county leaders in the North Country say footing the bill for dam operations would add new pressure on taxpayers at a time when budgets are already tight. more adirondacks ·
dams ·
economy ·
floods ·
great sacandaga reservoir ·
outdoor recreation ·
politics ·
power
(05/23/12) Governor Cuomo has taken the reins of the troubled New York Racing Association Board. As Karen DeWitt reports, the governor is saying he needs to "restore the public trust" in a rapidly changing, and expanding, gaming industry. more
(05/22/12) It's been an on-again, off-again sort of spring, but last weekend was picture perfect in the North Country, with sunshine and hot days. Brian Mann took advantage of the weather to make the eight-mile round trip hike to Tirrell Pond, a pristine lake in the Blue Mountain Wild Forest in the central Adirondacks. He sent back an audio postcard. more
(05/21/12) Every spring, a Department of Environmental Conservation biologist drives along north country highways at dawn or dusk, stopping every so often to pull over and listen. They're listening for the distinctive "peent" of the singing American woodcock, a brown speckled bird a little larger than a songbird with a long, narrow beak for pulling earthworms out of the ground.
The little game bird is under threat New York state, and the survey each year is meant to get a handle on what population trends are in this region. DEC regional spokesman Stephen Litwhiler is the happy host to several of the birds in his backyard in southern Jefferson County. He says the birds' appearance each year is his personal "harbinger of spring." For this Heard Up North, reporter Joanna Richards donned camouflage and hid behind the birds' favorite tree in Litwhiler's backyard to get a close-up look - and listen. more agriculture ·
birdwatching ·
conservation ·
education ·
environment ·
heard up north ·
outdoor recreation ·
science ·
tijf ·
wildlife ·
woodcock
(05/17/12) A crew from one of the country's most famous clothing companies has been at a historic Adirondack great camp this week to shoot photographs for its fall and winter 2012 catalog.
A crew of about 20 from L.L. Bean, based in Freeport, Maine, was at White Pine Camp on Osgood Pond on Monday and Tuesday. The rustic Great Camp was built in the early 1900s and served as the "Summer White House" for President Calvin Coolidge in 1926. Chris Morris dropped by the set. more
Dr. Aileen O'Donoghue
(05/15/12) St. Lawrence University physics professor Aileen O'Donoghue shared news of big events in the solar system in conversation with Martha Foley this morning. She explained how a solar eclipse can begin on May 21st and end on May 20th; Mars is on the move, and we'll have a once-in-a-century chance to see Venus "transit" in front of the Sun on June 5.
(05/15/12) The state Department of Transportation has modified its plan to repave the highway from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake this summer. The new design will widen the shoulders and accommodate cyclists a little better.
The department will now aim to leave as much room as possible along the shoulders of state Route 86. DOT officials say the changes were made following input from local officials and cycling advocates. Chris Morris reports. more
(05/14/12) Boxes and pots offer a great chance for small-scale and perfectly located flower gardening. Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy has tips on how to assemble and maintain successful containers, including how to recycle potting mix from year to year. She talks with Martha Foley.
agriculture ·
container gardening ·
education ·
environment ·
garden ·
gardening ·
outdoor recreation ·
spring ·
weather
Blog posts tagged with "outdoor-recreation"A jump on SpringAmy Ivy and I talk today about satisfying that itch to rush the gardening season. It's always there, as the days...[more] Morning Read: Three NY groups trapped on drifting lake iceThis morning the Plattsburgh Press Republican is reporting that eight anglers were rescued from melting and broken ice...[more] Ice Sailing!Today's story about ice sailing was literally some of the most radio fun I've ever had. I met great characters, got to...[more] Painting winter with snowshoesSnow Circles from Beauregard, Steamboat Aerials on Vimeo.[more] In Adirondack news bureau, another day at the officeI report this morning on efforts to save the Santanoni Great Camp on the southern flank of the Adirondack High...[more] Morning Read: Holcomb, US bobsled triumph in Lake PlacidAs NCPR reported on Friday, the US bobsled team went into this weekend's World Championships in Lake Placid with a...[more] Nanu nanu from Saranac LakeSpace alien invasion indeed.
Yesterday I was having lunch at Blue Moon Cafe in Saranac Lake and Aggie Pelltieri dropped...[more] Morning Read: Snowmobile season "brutal"I've been touching bases with winter sports and tourism people the last week, just to see how they're doing,...[more] Winterlude, Empire Games openTwo notable events missing from our survey of wintry revelry Friday.
The entire length of the Rideau Skateway opened,...[more] Afternoon Read: So which will it be, Adirondacks? Rails or trails?The Albany Times-Union is wading into the debate over how legacy railroad lines should be used in the Adirondacks.
The...[more] Special ReportsFishing on the St. Lawrence Walleye and northern pike season opened the first Saturday in May. David Sommerstein spent a morning with two veteran guides. 90 Miles by Canoe in a Single Day The 90-mile Adirondack Canoe Classic takes paddlers from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. Race organizer Brian McDonnell paddled the entire course in a single daya journey he describes as the "90-mile cannonball." A Trek up Mt. Adams A land deal will add thousands of acres to the state forest preserve, but it will almost certainly mean the removal of an antique fire tower that sits on Mt. Adams, near the town of Newcomb. Brian Mann made the climb. Children's Camps in the Adirondacks The Adirondack Museum opens today for the summer season. A major new exhibition looks at the history of the region's summer camps. Inside Dark Island's Castle On the St. Lawrence River near Chippewa Bay, a representative for the buyers of Dark Island and its historic castle gave David Sommerstein a peek of what visitors could see as early as next summer. A Journey to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge In the US Senate debate over the country's energy plan, New York's senators oppose plans to drill for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Brian Mann spent a month in the Alaskan wilderness to research this half-hour documentary report. A Hike Up the Red Sandstone Trail David Sommerstein hikes a new trail under construction along the Raquette River near Potsdam. Winter Camping in the Adirondack High Peaks The Adirondacks' High Peaks can be a hard place to find peace and quiet during the busy summer months. Many people choose the winter to get their fix for solitude among New York's tallest mountains. Winter camping offers unique pleasures and sometimes, unexpected perils. Brian Mann and David Sommerstein got plenty of both on a late winter expedition to Lake Colden and Algonquin Peak. Snow Art in St. Regis Falls A team from Dickinson Center won the 2002 New York State Snow Sculpting Competition in St. Regis Falls yesterday. Jody Tosti, an NCPR Team sculptor, spoke with some of her rivals. Rock Climbing in the Adirondacks People climb looking for adventure and amazing viewsand a deeper connection to the mountains. Brian Mann climbed Hurricane Crag during the peak of this year's leaf season. Ellen in Canyonland NCPR Station Manager Ellen says there's nothing like fear to get her attention as she reports on what she did on her summer vacation. Lake Champlain Maritime History, pt. 1 Wreck diving off Burlington with Brian Mann. 37th Annual Clayton Antique Boat Show Thousands of people visited Clayton for the 37th annual Antique Boat show and auction—a chance to view St. Lawrence skiffs, launches and runabouts. Discovering Adirondack Old Growth Forest The Adirondacks are home to some of the East's largest Old Growth Forests. Martha Foley talks with a naturalist who spent part of this summer finding the towering trees. Adirondack News Fund Founding Supporters: Paul Smith's College, The College of the Adirondacks · Wildlife Conservation Society · Adirondack Medical Center Foundation · Adirondack Museum · Niagara Mohawk Foundation · Schumann Foundation · John A. Sellon Charitable Trust · several anonymous individual donors |















