ADK Hosts Centennial Celebration

September 26, 2022 — Hauge, NY — ADK (Adirondack Mountain Club) celebrated its centennial anniversary this past weekend at Silver Bay in Hauge, New York. The three-day event included live music by Dan Berggren and the Jamcrackers, remarks by keynote speaker and climate activist Bill McKibben, and over 50 guided outings. During an address on Saturday, ADK executive director Michael Barrett spoke to the organization’s century-long impact.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the Adirondack Park as we know it would not exist without ADK,” Barrett said during the address. “Everywhere you look, you can see the indelible impact that this organization has had over the last century: alpine meadows restored by summit stewards, trails built to withstand use and weather by our crews, wilderness areas protected for future generations to enjoy, and so much more.”

Throughout the event, ADK’s numerous achievements were highlighted, including the completion of the 138-mile Northville-Placid Trail in 1924, publishing of the Adirondack Park’s first guidebook in 1934, consistent defense of constitutional protections for the Forest Preserve between the 1940s and 1960s, founding of the Ridge Runner Program in 1974 (the precursor to the NYSDEC’s Assistant Forest Ranger position), co-founding of the Adirondack High Peaks Summit Stewardship Program in 1989, development of a successful school outreach program in 2003, and more.

“ADK’s century of success has been driven by the actions of its supporters. Whether that be advocating for environmental protections in the state legislature or educating hikers at trailheads, we have an active community of land stewards that are always present on the frontline of these issues,” said ADK President Tom Andrews during the event. “As we look toward our second century, I am excited about all that ADK can and will accomplish on behalf of New York’s public lands and waters.”