Jan 13, 2009 — Governor Paterson's administration has unveiled its new Open Space Plan for New York state. This is the document that shapes much of Albany's conservation agenda. The new draft plan aims to shift the focus away from major land purchases. The 2009 version puts more weight on climate change and healthy communities. The new document comes at a time when two landmark conservation deals are still being hammered out in the Adirondacks. They include the Follensby Pond tract near Tupper Lake and the massive Finch, Pruyn project--both spearheaded by the Adirondack Nature Conservancy. Adirondack bureau chief Brian Mann talked about the Open Space plan with Martha Foley.

Note: Public hearings on the Open Space plan will be held in the North Country this month, with sessions in Ray Brook and Watertown on January 22.  Go to full article

Dec 30, 2008 — New York state has purchased conservation easements on another huge swath of timberland in the northeastern Adirondacks. The $10.8 million deal was completed last week. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Dec 02, 2008 — As New York's fiscal crisis deepens, much of the debate in Albany has focused on schools and healthcare. But Governor David Paterson has also proposed using part of the Environmental Protection Fund, or EPF, to help close the budget gap. In the past, that money has been used to finance big conservation deals in the Adirondacks. Green groups want the state to buy tens of thousands of acres of forestland and add it to the Park's forest preserve. But as Brian Mann reports, a growing number of critics say land purchases should wait until New York's economy recovers.  Go to full article

Sep 19, 2008 — The Nature Conservancy announced yesterday that it has purchased another 14,000-acre parcel in the Adirondacks. The property, which lies on the outskirts of Tupper Lake, includes a pristine lake called Follensby Pond and more than ten miles of shoreline along the Raquette River. It is also the site of the fabled "Philosopher's Camp," visited by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the 1850s. The Conservancy will pay $16 million to the McCormick family, who live in Manchester, Vermont. As Brian Mann reports, green groups and outdoor recreation advocates have been chasing this deal for more than a decade.  Go to full article

Sep 19, 2008 — A deal for the Follensby Pond acquisition has been sought by environmental groups, paddlers and hikers for a long time. Martha Foley talked with Phil Brown, editor of the Adirondack Explorer magazine, about the significance of the purchase, and local reaction. He said local concerns focus on property tax revenue (which could increase) and public access.  Go to full article

Sep 18, 2008 — The Adirondack Nature Conservancy announced today that it has purchased 14,600 acres near Tupper Lake. The acreage includes the famous Follensby Pond, where Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Russell Lowell, and Louis Agassiz held their famous "Philosopher's Camp."

The 1,000-acre pond has been viewed by environmentalists and recreation enthusiasts as one of the last remaining gems that they hoped to preserve. For more on the deal, visit the Nature Conservancy's website.  Go to full article

Feb 15, 2008 — State environment officials and the Nature Conservancy say they've struck a deal that will protect more than 134,000 acres of timberland in the Adirondacks. The plan, unveiled late Thursday, was described as historic by DEC commissioner Pete Grannis. It will affect most of the former Finch, Pruyn lands, which the Nature Conservancy purchased last year for $110 million. 57,000 acres will be added to the state forest preserve. Another 73,000 acres will continue to be logged, but all other forms of development will be blocked by conservation easements. Most of the land lies in the towns of Newcomb, Minerva, Long Lake, Indian Lake, and North Hudson. State officials say it's not clear how much taxpayers will pay for the massive preservation deal. Local government leaders have raised concerns about the impact on local economies and the lack of public hearings for the project. But backers of the plan say it strikes a balance between the needs of local communities and the environment.

Brian Mann spoke with Mike Carr, head of the Adirondack Nature Conservancy, and with DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis.  Go to full article

Feb 15, 2008 — Martha Foley talks with NCPR Adirondack Bureau Chief Brian Mann a little more about the land deal unveiled yesterday.  Go to full article

Sep 21, 2007 — The Nature Conservancy is selling more than fifteen thousand acres of land in the central Adirondacks. The $1.8 million deal involves five lakes and ponds and a half-dozen small mountains in the towns of Long Lake and Webb. As Brian Mann reports, the Nature Conservancy says the property will still be protected from further development.

NOTE: Story corrected at 11:50 am.  Go to full article

Jul 30, 2007 — This week, North Country Public Radio will be reporting from Lake George. We'll hear an audio postcard from a paddle on Northwest Bay and we'll check in with Dr. Bill Brown, an expert on the Timber rattlesnakes that frequent the lake's shoreline. Today, Brian Mann profiles the Lake George Land Conservancy. At a time when development pressure along the shoreline is growing, the group has preserved more than 10,000 acres.

(We're back on Lake George tomorrow with a Heard Up North from rattlesnake expert Bill Brown. Also, a very cool recording of a Timber rattler encountered on the shore of the lake.)  Go to full article