Photo by Derek Rogers

In 1984, our founders saw a need for a private land-saving group focused on places that make the Adirondack Park function not just as an intact ecosystem but as a place that supports communities.

Since our beginning, the Adirondack Land Trust has worked to protect the farms, forests and other lands and waters that have the power to make people, communities and the planet healthier.

A few highlights from our history:

Milestones

Improving Hiking Access

woman on a mountain top
2020

Adirondack Land Trust works with community partners to improve hiking access to Cobble Hill, in Lake Placid.

Supporting Farmers

boy and cow
2020

Photo by Erika Bailey

A new position, farmand specialist, is created to support farmers and farming communities; 6,377 acres of agricultural lands protected to date, providing beef, milk, apples hay and other products.

Accreditation

Land Trust accreditation seal
2010

ALT achieves Land Trust Alliance accreditation, the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence.

Stewardship is Forever

Woman holding shovel
2010

Photo by Bill Brown

The Fred M. and Walker D. Kirby Land Stewardship Endowment is established to fund perpetual care of farms and forests under conservation easements.

Glenview Preserve Established

Field and mountain landscape
2010

Photo by Kathy Woughter/ALT

Glenview Preserve is established to protect a beloved view of the McKenzie Range between Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths

Punkeyville State Forest Created

Fox in the wild
2010

Photo by Larry Master

Punkeyville State Forest created in partnership with New York State and Tug Hill Tomorrow, and named by Forestport Elementary School students.

Living Shorelines

Upper St Regis-Spitfire Shoreline
2000

Photo by Patrick Bly

Wild shoreline protected on Lows Lake, Cranberry Lake, the St. Regis Lakes, Little Charley Pond and other waters.

Mike Carr Takes the Lead

Mike Carr
2000

Photo by Lisa Godfrey

Mike Carr becomes executive director, leading ALT’s growth into a force for land protection throughout the Adirondack Park.

50-km Trail Network

Cabin in the woods
1990

Photo by Jess Grant

ALT partners with Black River Environmental Improvement Association to ensure permanent protection of its community-oriented 50-km trail network.

Family-friendly Hiking

Family on a mountain top
1990

Photo by Doug Munro

Coon Mountain Preserve established in the town of Westport. Family-friendly hiking on a 378-acre sanctuary bursting with spring woodland wildflowers.

Land Protects Water

Sailboat on Lake George
1990

Photo by Jess Grant

ALT purchases a mile of wild shoreline on Lake George, the largest private Adirondack conservation investment to date, to protect the lake’s water quality.

Agricultural Conservation Award

Farmland and mountains
1990

Photo by Carl Heilman II

American Farmland Trust gives ALT an Agricultural Conservation Award for its work to protect Champlain Valley farmland.

Protecting Farmland

Farmland
1980

Photo by Bill Brown

ALT begins protecting farmland with conservation easements.

Relationships

Tim Barnett
1980

Photo by Ken Aaron

Tim Barnett becomes executive director, building relationships on unbounded enthusiasm for the Adirondacks and its people.

A Blueprint for Conservation

ALT employees outside meeting
1980

Photo by Kathy Woughter/ALT

Conservation planner George Davis and associate director Tom Duffus publish a blueprint to guide land trust work nationwide.

Private Forever Wild

Lake and trees
1980

Photo by Elizabeth McLanahan

Adirondack Land Trust creates one of the first private conservation easements in New York State, keeping a pond and surrounding forest forever wild.