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Protecting the Land that Protects the Lake since 1988

LGLC News for October 2022

The LGLC to Receive $350,000 for Wiawaka Uplands in New Grant Program

The LGLC has been awarded a grant of $350,000 to help fund the acquisition of a conservation easement on the Wiawaka Uplands property. This major announcement was made by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources Katie Petronis at a press conference hosted by the Wiawaka Center for Women on October 7th.

The LGLC is one of just four land trusts receiving funds from the Forest Conservation Easements for Land Trusts Program (FCELT), a competitive grant program that was launched in March of this year, and funded through by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund.

(Pictured, from left: DEC Region 5 Director Joe Zalewski, NYS Assemblyman Matt Simpson, Wiawaka Executive Director Doreen Kelly, NYS Senator Dan Stec, DEC Deputy Director of Natural Resources Katie Petronis, LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn, Agricultural Stewardship Association Executive Director Renee Bouplon, Land Trust Alliance New York Senior Program Manager Meme Hanley, and Town of Lake George Supervisor Dennis Dickinson on Oct. 7, 2022 at the Wiawaka Center for Women in Lake George.)

New LGLC President and Directors

The LGLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Brozyna as its new President of the Board of Directors. Jeff is taking over the role from past President Michael O’Reilly.

 Jeff joined the LGLC Board in 2011 and has served 10 years as Vice-President of Development. He also volunteered to lead the LGLC as Interim Executive Director from October through December 2022, while a search for a permanent executive director was underway.

We are grateful for the support and guidance from outgoing President Mike O’Reilly, and thank him for his 12 years of service on the Board. Mike joined the LGLC Board of Directors in 2010. He then served as Treasurer from 2011 to 2017, as well as Vice-President of Finance from 2014 to 2017, before taking on the role of President. During his tenure as President, the LGLC protected 1,379 acres of land and 3,123 feet of lake shoreline, through 5 donations and 13 purchases, a total investment of more than $7.7 million. Under his prudent leadership and guidance, Mike led the organization to its current, very strong financial condition. This is in part due to the establishment of an endowment for conservation efforts by Mike and his wife, Marie.

Other changes and additions to the LGLC Board of Directors include the election of Bernice McPhillips, Nancy Flacke Reuss, and Kealy Salomon to the Board; appointment of David Darrin and Mike O’Reilly as Directors Emeritus; and the appointment of Scott Arenholz, Tracey Clothier, and Mike O’Reilly to the Advisory Board. Paul Cummings completed a three-year term of service on the Board of Directors.

“I thank our outgoing directors for their incredible dedication to the LGLC and the protection of Lake George,” said LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn. “It is through their service and leadership that this organization has achieved so much for Lake George over the past 34 years. The Director Emeritus designation is well deserved by Mike O’Reilly and David Darrin, both of whom have made especially significant contributions to the LGLC."

HWA Work Continues on Dome Island with DEC and APIPP

In early October, LGLC staff Alex Novick and Monica Dore worked with the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) staff to monitor and treat hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) on Dome Island for the third consecutive year. The iconic island, owned by The Nature Conservancy and monitored by the LGLC, contains more than 2,600 hemlock trees on its 15 acres. These hemlocks hold the soils of the steep island in place, preventing sediment and nutrients from reaching the lake. A total of 480 trees were monitored and managed for HWA this year. Many of the trees on Dome Island are still in the early stages of their HWA infestations, when treatment can prevent tree die-off and slow the spread of HWA to other areas in the watershed.

The Results are in!

More than 50 competitors of ages 7-75, along with 16 volunteers and NextGen Committee members were part of another great Amy's Race for the Lake on October 1st.

Overall winner Zane Belden, who raced the course for the first time this year, finished in 36 minutes and 54 seconds. The female winner was also a first-timer, Alexandra Barbieri, who finished the race in 56 minutes and 49 seconds. Remaining top finishers were Volker Burkowski, Christopher Casella, Brian Dillenbeck, and Derek Morrison, who finished the 4.5 mile trail race in under 46 minutes.

After the race, participants, volunteers, and others gathered for an after party at the Bolton Landing Brewing Company. The brewery recently released a limited edition “Keep it Fresh” India pale ale, the proceeds of which are donated to the LGLC’s Wiawaka Uplands project.

Photos from the event as well as the complete list of competitors and their times can be seen at LGLC.org/amys-race or on social media at @HikeLakeGeorge.

Our thanks to this year's sponsors for making the event possible: the Wolgin Family, Sidekick Creative, Stewarts Shops, Bolton Landing Brewing Company, Tops Friendly Markets, along with partners Cedar Graphics and Underdog Race Timing. Prizes were donated by I Wear Local, Trout Lake Club, and Trailhead Pizza.

Post of the Month

Before and After's of Amy's Adventure Race for the Lake!... (video reel on Instagram) posted 10/01/22

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Back by popular demand! Join us for an evening walk at Amy's Park... posted 10/03/22