LGLC News for November 2023

Pinks and yellows highlight the blue sky during a sunset on Lake George. Tall plants cover rocks in the foreground.

Sunset on Lake George from Shelving Rock. Photo by William Adamczak @wadamczakphoto

Thank You!

To the donors, volunteers, hikers, event goers, and followers, thank you for supporting the work of the LGLC. With your help, we've been able to do great things these past 35 years, including permanently protecting 12,190 acres of land that protects the water quality of Lake George.

Hundreds of volunteers give thousands of hours of their time to keep trails safe, manage invasives, teach about the land, make events happen, and lend invaluable advice and guidance. Tens of thousands of people hike our trails, learn about ecology along the way, and create life-long memories with friends and family. And we are honored that so many of you choose to donate financially, to provide critical support for efforts like the Wiawaka Uplands project that protect water quality and forests, and preserve historical and recreational resources. Thank you!

The LGLC relies on donations to keep all of our programs going. If you have not already given, please consider donating today to help protect the land that protects the lake!

New Merch Added!

The LGLC online store now has new items, new colors and sizes, and more inventory! Our sweatshirts, hats, books, and unique items make great gifts, plus proceeds go right back to protecting the land that protects the lake. Shop today at shop.lglc.org!

4 LGLC staff members pose for a selfie, each holding a container of Laricobius nigrinus beetles

LGLC Staff released Laricobius nigrinus beetles (in the containers) at the Clark Hollow Bay property. Left-Right: Executive Director Mike Horn, Land Stewardship Assistant Leah Smisloff, Conservation Project Manager Monica Dore, and Land Steward Alex Novick.

Beetle Release at Clark Hollow Bay

Under guidance of the New York State Hemlock Initiative, LGLC staff released 2,000 Laricobius nigrinus beetles at the LGLC's Clark Hollow Bay property in the Town of Putnam. This release is part of an effort to establish hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) biological control on the property, which is part of a long-term management plan.

Laricobius beetles are native to the Pacific Northwest, and are specialist predators, feeding exclusively on HWA throughout the fall and winter when HWA is in its adult form.

Though these beetles have been released at other protected lands in the Lake George watershed, this release is the first on LGLC-owned land, and the site is the northern most known HWA infestation. The LGLC will continue working with the Hemlock Initiative to monitor and manage the site.

Learn more about the Hemlock Initiative's Research on Laricobius beetles

Peggy's Work Progress

Work to improve accessibility at Peggy's Point is now complete, including crushed stone paths that lead to the Friendship Garden, gazebo, and waterfront. An accessible picnic table was also added, and the entrance gate widened. As one recent visitor said, "It was the perfect place to take my 81 year old mom for a walk." We'd say that's a sign of a successful project!

Final touches on landscaping and the gardens, including memorial plantings, will be completed next spring, at which point we will also install a new kiosk and educational signage.

This project is supported with funding from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program (NYSCPP) and New York's Environmental Protection Fund. The NYSCPP is administered by the Land Trust Alliance, in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

LGLC Welcomes Leah Smisloff

We are pleased to welcome Leah Smisloff to the LGLC team for the winter. As our Land Stewardship Assistant, Leah is helping our stewardship and conservation staff, including working on land management reports and assisting with HWA monitoring. Leah graduated from SUNY ESF with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Health, and recently completed seasonal work for APIPP as a Forest Pest Research Assistant. She also has previous summer experience with NYS DEC and the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation.

Welcome Leah!

Bluebird sitting on a branch, photo taken by Pat Demko during a past Christmas Bird Count

Events!

Be sure to visit our website, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get updates and posts about events as more are added. Registration is required for most events - visit lglc.org for more information and to register.

LGLC Events and Programs

Cedar Waxwing, photo taken by Pat Demko during a past Christmas Bird Count

Cedar Waxwing, by Pat Demko

December 16: Christmas Bird Count

All Day | Help count birds for this nation-wide Audubon program, organized locally by the LGLC. Our 15-mile circle includes Amy’s Park in Bolton south to Pilot Knob Preserve in Fort Ann, and the Schroon River in Warrensburg east to Sleeping Beauty and Black Mt in Dresden. Email us for more info and to sign up!

January 18: Open House @ LGLC

2 - 4 PM | Stop in and say hello during the LGLC's annual open house! Mete the staff, enjoy some tasty refreshments, and learn about conservation projects coming in 2024. No RSVP required.

February 3: Cross-Country Ski @ Cat and Thomas Mts Preserve

9:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Enjoy the snowy trails at Cat and Thomas Mts Preserve during this challenging/intermediate ~4-mile RT cross-country ski with leader David Thomas-Train. >More Info