LOCALadk Magazine

Local ADK Fall 2018

LOCALadk Magazine

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30 Fall 2018 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Trailhead Stewards at the base of Cascade mountain. The Stewards collaborate with the Department of Environmen- tal Conser vation (DEC) and the Adirondack Mountain Club to provide education regarding conser vation and proper prac- tices to the general hiking public. Influential photographers in the region and marketing companies are helping to educate hikers and promote other areas in the Park, too. "I do take care not to post photographs online of out-of-the-way locations that could be easily tram- pled," Adirondack Photographer Carl Heilman II said. "Or I leave off the ID of places that people are already traveling to but have noticeable, current overuse issues." The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), a marketing organization based in Lake Placid, has worked with the DEC and outdoor companies in the past to tack- le the issue. But it's always a challenge to divert attention away from the High Peaks region. "The 46 High Peaks have a sense of allure to them and are a well-recognized brand," said ROOST's Director of Marketing, Michelle Clement. "If someone were to ask you to name a beach in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach or Hilton head may be top of mind; however, there are many beautiful, yet less well-known beaches along 180 -miles of South Carolina coastline. The Adirondacks are similar in that there are hundreds of miles of wonderful trails beyond the High Peaks." So how can we realistically manage the overcrowding is- sue? In May 2018, the DEC released an amendment to the existing 1999 High Peaks Wilderness Complex Unit Manage- ment Plan (UMP) in an effort to promote sustainable tourism and address public safety in the Adirondacks. However, the UMP is at risk even before being instituted. Scott Van Laer, a Forest Ranger for 19 years in the High Peaks district and delegate of the union that represents the forest ranger of NYS said, " We, the [rangers], support the DEC's UMP Amend- ments for the High Peaks, but it can't be implemented with- out staffing increases." Brendan Wiltse, Adirondack photographer and Adirondack Wilderness Advocate co-founder, shared similar sentiments. "The state needs to make investments in DEC staff and re- sources, so they can staff the forest ranger force to a lev- el that allows them to return to [one of their main roles] as educators." He was referring to the fact that forest rangers are now more than ever a reactionar y force for incidents and searches, rather than a stewardship and police force. An increasing number of people are flocking to the 46 each year, meaning there are more people now than ever who would be willing to consciously take action to protect the places they've grown to love. More hikers in the High Peaks region means more people realizing their beauty and poten- tially understanding that these mountains need protecting. After some time in the High Peaks, new users hopefully will become the new summit stewards, forest rangers, trail crew members, conser vation photographers … new voices for the mountains.

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