Jun 21, 2007 — The Nature Conservancy's $110 million purchase of 160,000 acres of former Finch Pruyn timberlands in the Adirondack was breaking news this week. It overshadowed a public and private partnership that's awarding $400 thousand in grant monies to 30 different land trust organizations in the state. The Land Trust Alliance and the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced the list of projects Tuesday. It includes grants to the Lake George Land Trust, The Indian River Lakes Conservancy in Jefferson County, an Agricultural Land Trust in the Washington County community of Greenwich, the Queensbury Land Conservancy, the Ontario Bays Initiative in Chaumont, and The Thousand Islands Land Trust. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Jun 04, 2007 — An influential congressman from West Virginia could play a role in the North Country's growing wind industry. The Democrat who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee says the government should tighten regulations to protect birds, bats and other wildlife killed by the giant turbines. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Dec 19, 2006 — Winter sports like skiing and snowmobiling are big business in the North Country. For many people, they're also a passion and a way of life. Adirondack reporter Brian Mann chased skiable snow as storms hit parts of the region earlier this month. He sent this audio postcard from the Tug Hill.  Go to full article

Oct 24, 2006 — The race for the 122nd Assembly district is a rarity these days - no dueling polls, no mudslinging, and relatively small amounts of money. Republican DeDe Scozzafava is seeking a fifth term representing what's known as the "foothills" district. It's a heavily Republican area skirting the northwestern Adirondacks, encompassing parts of St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Oswego counties, and all of Lewis County. Karl Williams, a Democratic party activist from Henderson Harbor, is hoping to pull off an upset. The two face off in a debate tonight at 7 at Jefferson Community College in Watertown. David Sommerstein profiles the race.  Go to full article

Jun 05, 2006 — If you're looking for a unique hike in the North Country, try this. Tucked in the northwest corner of Jefferson County, just inland from Lake Ontario, there's an area that's more North Dakota prairie than northern New York forest. It's called the Chaumont Barrens. It's owned by the Nature Conservancy. It's the only "alvar" landscape in New York State. And best of all, its wildflowers are in full bloom right now. David Sommerstein took a nature walk and sent this audio postcard.  Go to full article

May 05, 2006 — Environmentalists, farmers and concerned parents have gotten together to demand stricter laws against the use of All Terrain Vehicles in New York State. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 20, 2006 — Schools across the North Country are trimming and tucking in anticipation of next month's budget votes. One district, however, is flush with money. Lowville Central Schools is awaiting a $445,000 check. It's the first of an annual tax payment from the 120-turbine Maple Ridge wind farm located nearby. The district expects another $2 million in January, and more than $3 million each following year. David Sommerstein spoke with Lowville superintendent Kenneth McAuliffe. He says the school board's developed an elaborate 15-year plan. It includes stabilizing the tax levy, saving for future capital costs, and reducing debt. Even after that, McAuliffe says there's $275,000 a year for other purchases.  Go to full article

Apr 12, 2006 — A number of North Country artists, studios, museums and farms are featured in a new book, Handmade in the Northern Forest. It also details a dozen regional driving tours - from the Tug Hill Plateau to Maine. Nadia Korths, Craft Programs Coordinator with the Adirondack North Country Association, helped put together the book. She spoke with Todd Moe.  Go to full article

Mar 03, 2006 — Maple Ridge wind farm on the Tug Hill Plateau is the biggest wind power producer east of the Mississippi. Its 120 turbines are set over 14 miles in 4 Lewis County towns. They can spin out up to 170 megawatts of electricity, enough to power most of Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Jefferson Counties. This summer, Maple Ridge will build another 90 turbines. The Tug Hill region is at the cutting edge of a wind energy boom. And it's benefiting economically, earning tens of millions of dollars in tax payments and land leases a year. That's the trade-off for a ridgeline that will never look the same. In part two of our series on wind farms, David Sommerstein visits the neighbors of the largest wind farm in the East.  Go to full article

Mar 03, 2006 — Yesterday David Sommerstein reported on some of the claims by those who oppose industrial-sized wind farms. One in particular caught him attention. He spoke with Martha Foley about a wind farm in Illinois.  Go to full article