Photo by Eric Adsit

About The VIC Forestlands Conservation Project

The Adirondack Land Trust and Paul Smith’s College worked together to protect 2,800 acres in the northern Adirondacks.  This large, forested property is home to the college’s Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC), a hub for education and outdoor recreation. From the 2,488-foot summit of Jenkins Mountain to the lowland boreal habitat of Heron Marsh, the land features an array of intact forests, freshwater ponds and streams, plants, and wildlife. Black Pond and Long Pond provide habitat for a population of self-sustaining heritage strain brook trout.

In addition to providing outdoor classroom space and sustainable forestry study plots for hands-on learning, the land hosts 25 miles of public trails for hiking and Nordic skiing, as well as segments of the long-distance Jackrabbit Ski Trail.

A permanent conservation easement held by the Adirondack Land Trust limits development and other land uses to ensure that the VIC forestlands remain forests forever. Additionally, the VIC Forestlands adjoin nearly 100,000 acres of state Forest Preserve and other conservation easement–protected private lands. Together, these unfragmented forest systems sustain ecological processes, increase climate resilience, and support the regional economy.

The immeasurable benefits of conserving this land today will carry forward to future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Adirondack Land Trust has long identified the VIC forestlands as important to conserve because of the extent, condition, and variety of habitat types featured there, as well as proximity to protected lands. When Paul Smith’s College leaders expressed interest in working together to conserve the land, we jumped at the opportunity. Along the way, we have learned how much this property is a source of pride for the college. Securing permanent protection clearly reaffirms their commitment to the land itself, the students who learn from it, and the 35,000 people who enjoy the VIC trails annually.

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Yes, Paul Smith’s College continues to operate the VIC and surrounding land for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation, and education. Learn more here.

A common way to describe a conservation easement is through a “bundle of sticks” analogy, with each stick representing a right associated with owning land. For example, individual sticks in the bundle may include the right to harvest timber, extract minerals, subdivide, build a home, lease to a third party, farm, etc.

A landowner gives up some of these rights or “sticks” through a conservation easement to protect important ecological attributes that also have broad public benefit, such as water quality, forest health, and wildlife habitat.

With the VIC Forestlands Conservation Easement, Paul Smith’s College still owns the land while the Adirondack Land Trust holds some of the sticks in the bundle. For example, timber harvest rights and additional trail building rights require review and approval by the land trust, and development is restricted to specific areas.

A conservation easement is recorded with a property’s deed and binds all current and future owners of the property to the agreed upon terms.

No. The Paul Smiths Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC), established by the Adirondak Park Agency in 1989, was built on land in Franklin County owned by Paul Smith’s College. When the APA ceased operating this facility in 2010, Paul Smith’s College took over operations to keep it open for public enjoyment and educational programming. (Similarly, the Newcomb VIC, established by the APA in 1990 on private land in Essex County, is now operated by SUNY ESF and called the Adirondack Interpretive Center.)

The Barkeater Disc Golf Course on the opposite side of State Route 30 from the visitor center is maintained by volunteers in cooperation with the college. The conservation easement allows for continued use.