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:

2020
Improving Hiking Access
woman on a mountain top

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

Supporting Farmers
boy and cow

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.

2010
Accreditation
Land Trust accreditation seal

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

Stewardship is Forever
Woman holding shovel

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

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

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.

2000
Living Shorelines
Upper St Regis-Spitfire Shoreline

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

Photo by Lisa Godfrey

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

1990
50-km Trail Network
Cabin in the woods

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

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

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

Photo by Carl Heilman II

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

1980
Protecting Farmland
Farmland

Photo by Bill Brown

ALT begins protecting farmland with conservation easements.

Relationships
Tim Barnett

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

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

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.