May 18, 2006 — For decades, development has been spreading into areas that were wild, or close to wild. There is growing concern about the loss of wildlife habitat. The government has set aside some parks and preserves, but biologists say many species of wildlife need much more space than public land can provide. The G-L-R-C's Lester Graham reports that's why more and more groups are approaching private landowners:  Go to full article

Mar 30, 2006 — The sprawling corporate landscape has become a defining feature of American culture, whether it's the Walmarts, Home Depots, and big boxes of the country or suburbs, or the Starbucks, Hiltons, and Hard Rock Cafes of the city. Veteran film director Jem Cohen calls it a "superlandscape." He's made a movie about it - part documentary, part fiction - called Chain. He'll show Chain and speak afterward Monday at 7:15 pm at the Roxy Theater in Potsdam. It's a part of the Cinema 10 film series. Cohen told David Sommerstein he's been collecting footage from malls and hotels and amusement parks all over the world for years.  Go to full article

Sep 29, 2004 — Plans for new or expanded Walmart stores are humming along in several parts of the North Country - in Massena, in Lowville, in Watertown, and outside Fort Drum - with little or no public opposition. That's not the case in Potsdam, where Walmart wants to build a 185,000 square foot Supercenter just south of the village on Route 11. Pro- and anti-Walmart groups are organizing letter-writing campaigns, inviting expert speakers, and arming themselves with studies to back their beliefs, as they prepare for a fight when the matter comes to a public hearing. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Dec 08, 2003 — Last week a coalition of environmental groups called on Governor Pataki and the state legislature to double New York's fund for environmental preservation. They point to a recent Cornell University study that found while Upstate's population has remained steady, urban sprawl is gobbling up more forest and farmland. But as David Sommerstein reports, the state faces a multibillion dollar deficit next year and the environmental fund helps fill out the budget.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2003 — We tend to associate the North Country landscape with rolling farmland and deep forests more than sprawling strip malls and subdivisions. But Wednesday evening at Jefferson Community College in Watertown, nationally-recognized landscape architect Peter Flinker will answer the question: are we planning for the sprawl of the future? Martha Foley talks with John Deans, former president of Jefferson Community College and the current mayor of Sackets Harbor about how North Country communities are preparing for growth and change.  Go to full article

Jul 03, 2002 — Even if you don't live in an upscale suburb in a sprawling metropolitan area, you're likely paying to support that suburb. Economists and urban planners find there are hidden costs that are not paid by the people who live in those suburbs. Instead, much of the costs are paid by the majority of us who don't live there. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Lester Graham reports.  Go to full article

Apr 16, 2002 — New York compares well against other Great Lakes states on environmental issues, according to a report released last week. But as David Sommerstein reports, the study says the region as a whole lags behind other parts of the country on environmental protections.  Go to full article

Jul 26, 2001 — Room for development and farming? In Part 2 of a two part series, the Great Lakes Radio Consortium looks at urban sprawl and farmland. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Julie Grant looks at a program that doesn't cost taxpayers money.  Go to full article

Jul 25, 2001 — This spring, 135 people from Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana took a trip to the east coast to get ideas about containing development and protecting farmland. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Julie Grant has this first report in a two-part series.  Go to full article

Feb 09, 2001 — For three decades, the Adirondack Park Agency has shaped and restricted use of private land in the Adirondacks. The Agency's regulations affect thousands of property owners and more than 3.5 million acres of land. They're viewed as a model by pro-environment groups, but some locals say the zoning plan has damaged small towns and villages. In this first of a two-part series, Brian Mann assesses the Act's impact on the region. Today, he looks at two types of development where the regulations have meant dramatic changes: rural sprawl and heavy industry.  Go to full article