Exploring the Meaning of Wilderness

This summer, Adirondack Diversity Initiative Summer Fellow Jessy Hernandez took on a project that would introduce them to the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness, the Department of Conservation's Visitor User Management efforts and the work involved in survey-based research. In ANCA's latest What's Up North blog, Jessy reflects on the meaning of Wilderness among diverse visitors and how we can all foster an Adirondack Park that is welcoming and inclusive of all.

Bike the Barns is Almost Full

Bike the Barns is nearly full, but please sign up to be added to the waiting list!

This year's farm-by-bike tour will take riders to three Champlain Valley farms — Northern Orchard (pictured), Mace Chasm Farm and North Country Creamery — and the Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum in Peru, N.Y. The 25-mile recreational ride will end with a finish line celebration at Ausable Brewing Co. with local food, drink and live music. We hope to see you there!

Adirondack Harvest Festival

ANCA is proud to be a support sponsor for this year's Adirondack Harvest Festival — an annual celebration of agriculture in the Adirondack region.

The 2023 event will feature a large farmers’ market, local food trucks, a “Local Libations” tent, hands-on workshops, kids’ activities, draft horse and wagon rides, and more. 

Survey: Resident Energy Needs

The North Country Clean Energy Hub is conducting a survey to learn what residents need to make their homes more comfortable, affordable and energy efficient. Survey results will inform the Hub's programming for the people and communities it serves.

Free Solar Trainings

Do you have an existing solar system or would like to explore how solar works? Learn the basics about Photovoltaic Systems in a FREE five-part Solar Training course offered by SUNY Canton CREST in partnership with the North Country Clean Energy Hub.

Participants will learn about measuring electricity, safety concerns, and how different types of circuits affect panel performance. You will also have the chance to create a site plan, lay out panels on a mock roof and create a plan for your home.

Flower Shop Finds New Hope

Francine Burke, long-time owner of The Country Florist & Gifts in Ticonderoga has passed on her floral business to the next generation. Ticonderoga resident Miranda Holman will carry on the flower shop service and tradition with her new business My Hope Flower Farm. The name and location have changed, but the quality and consistent floral service will remain.

Thanks to Francine, Miranda and our CBIT partners at the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce for making this transition a success!

Passing on the Paddle at Canoe Outfitter's

Congrats to Dave and Rivka Cilley, who have found the right new owners for their outdoor recreation and paddling shop — and to Maeghan Farnham and Steve Cerri, who will carry on the legacy of St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake for years to come. The CBIT partnership is honored to support this and other North Country business transitions and watch the next generation of entrepreneurs take the reins at our beloved local establishments

Empower Yourself with Knowledge

What does it mean to to be an Ally? Allies show up every day and learn to show up for the people and causes that matter to them by listening, researching and gaining an understanding of the issues and challenges that affect them. Where do you start? 

The Adirondack Diversity Initiative provides a helpful resources page to support you in your allyship journey. Here you’ll find webinars and recommendations for reading, viewing and listening resources. You’ll find helpful tools like a gender term guide, diversity recruitment materials, and an 8-step guide to becoming an ally. Visit ADI's Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) pages to follow issues, local events and opportunities to engage in allyship. For questions or specific needs contact us at diversity@adirondack.org. 

Old Brook with a New Name

Join allies and advocates to celebrate the renaming of John Thomas Brook, which honors the life and legacy of an African American pioneer who escaped slavery to move to Vermontville, farm and raise a family there.

What: Unveiling of Commemorative Roadside Marker

When: Saturday, September 16 at noon

Where: Near Six Nations Iroquois Center, Onchiota, NY

Reception: The Station, Onchiota, NY

Earthbound Bread Makes Upgrades

Dedicated to producing artisan baked goods with locally and organically sourced milled grains, Earthbound Bread owner Christoff Bemis values quality and efficiency. So when he approached ANCA's Center for Pandemic Response (ANCA CPR) about energy efficiency upgrades for his Canton business, we were eager to help.

The bakery has been closed since 2021 as Christoff tackled a major renovation project with business partner and Pierrepont Cider owner Lee Van de Water. ANCA provided funding support for spray foam insulation upgrades for the building, and Christoff is now working with our team to explore logistics of installing air source heat pumps and securing federal grant funding for the project. Christoff and Lee plan to open their combined bakery and cidery this fall and are hosting an Open House on September 10.

Learn more about the Open House, which is part of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Local Food Weekend.

Grant Writing 102 Workshop

The ANCA CPR program will present a free workshop on grant writing to follow up our popular 101 Workshop that took place in December 2022. This session delves deeper into topics such as finding grants, budgeting, narrative building and more. A recording of Grant Writing 101 will be made available to all registrants.

• What: Grant Writing 102
• When: Thursday, September 21, noon-2:00 p.m.
• Where: Virtual via Zoom

Free Finance & Accounting Workshops

ANCA is happy to support Clarkson University's Shipley Center for Innovation and Point Positive and their series of free workshops focused on how to set up and manage your business finances, accounting, and fundraising. The four workshops will be held in-person on the following Wednesdays, 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register here.

• September 6 in Potsdam
• September 13 in Lowville

Best wishes Caitlin!

We at ANCA greatly miss Caitlin Wargo, our longtime Communications & Development Director, as she has moved on to pursue new opportunities. Caitlin has been an integral part of ANCA's strategic planning and development for over nine years, and a passionate, positive team member. Caitlin now serves as Associate Director of the Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, where she works to advance a broad array of housing services and affordable housing opportunities for North Country residents. We wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter!

Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:

• Director of Development: Adirondack Council 
• Financial Readiness Program Educator, Fort Drum: Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County
• Economic Recovery Corps Fellowship: Economic Recovery Corps
• Coordinator of Workforce Development and Continuing Education: North Country Community College
• Finance Manager: Cooperative Development Institute
• Cooperative Coach: Cooperative Fund of the Northeast

Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.