Several nonprofit organizations situated around the Adirondack Park, including the Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Co., Otter Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Saratoga PLAN, and the Saranac Lake Civic Center have recently announced a series of developments and accomplishments.
Saratoga PLAN Celebrates Conservation Milestones and Unveils Plans for New Trailhead at Graphite Range Community Forest
Saratoga Springs, NY – Local non-profit conservation organization, Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) held its fourth annual PLAN for the Future fundraising dinner on Thursday, Sept. 18. The event drew a sold-out crowd of environmentally minded supporters for an evening celebrating local conservation successes and raised nearly $100,000 for the organization.
The evening began with a welcome from Saratoga PLAN’s new Chair of the Board, Jessica Schwartzman, who highlighted the lasting significance of local conservation and the organization’s renewed mission, “Saratoga PLAN stewards and protects farms, forests, and waters of the Saratoga region and the southern Adirondack foothills – now and forever. Tonight is an investment into forever because that’s how long our work lasts. The opposite is also true though. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Thank you for being here, for believing in this work, and for being the reason PLAN can continue on.”
Kicking off the program, Executive Director Rob Davies announced PLAN’s latest land acquisition, the “Northern Gateway,” a 20-acre property in the Town of Greenfield that will expand Graphite Range Community Forest (GRCF) to the north. Opened in late 2023, GRCF is Saratoga County’s first federally recognized community forest and has already become a recreational hub, serving as a key access point to the envisioned 50-mile Sarah B. Foulke Friendship Trails Network (SBFFTN). Once completed, the SBFFTN will feature a core trail connecting the City of Saratoga Springs to the northernmost corner of Moreau Lake State Park.
In announcing the project, Davies expressed gratitude to those who made it possible: “Thank you to Ethan Winter, the former landowner, for your generosity, perseverance, and vision. Thank you as well to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and Town of Greenfield for supporting the project AND finally another big thank you to Rick Higgins, an Emeritus Board Member of PLAN for underwriting this acquisition.”
The vision for Northern Gateway is to offer a second trailhead featuring more accessible walking paths with gentler grades. Saratoga County will enter into a memorandum of agreement with Saratoga PLAN for the addition and development of the Northern Gateway parcels to the Graphite Range Community Forest. Once all improvements are completed, the ownership of the land will be transferred at no cost to the County with Saratoga PLAN as the designated land manager. Saratoga PLAN and the County routinely partner on conservation projects to permanently protect agricultural and open space lands including farmland, natural areas, wildlife habitats, preserves, and other important open spaces within Saratoga County.
The evening continued with Saratoga PLAN’s event honorees, who were recognized for their dedication and extraordinary contributions to local conservation.
This year’s honorees included:
Conservation Hero Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, Saratoga Lake Association, and Stewart’s Shops for their contributions in the permanent protection of Snake Hill, the iconic forested dome on the eastern side of Saratoga Lake;
Conservation Hero Barry Ostrager, who placed 280 acres of his Stillwater horse farm, Questroyal North, under protection, connecting more than 4,500 acres of protected lands near Saratoga Battlefield; and
Conservation Heroes Jan Kropp and Chuck Rowson, who protected their 81 acres of forestland in the Town of Moreau, creating a protected wooded buffer to Moreau Lake State Park;
Volunteers of the Year, Tom Nelson and Ann Henderson, who were recognized for their commitment to caring for the lands that PLAN protects. The duo has been actively volunteering for over 14 years after retiring in 2011 and collect all volunteer hours for the organization; and
Conservation Champion Awardee Jim Sevinsky. During Jim’s 40-year legal career with the NY Attorney General’s Office, he led the Environmental Protection Bureau in landmark cases including Love Canal cleanup, acid rain litigation in the Adirondacks, and advocacy to strengthen the Clean Air Act. A lifelong resident of the region, Jim has dedicated nine years to PLAN’s Board and continues to serve on the Emeritus Board.
Reflecting on the work ahead, Executive Director Robert Davies emphasized the ongoing challenges of land conservation in the region: “As many of you know, the work of land conservation is not easy… for every acre conserved in Saratoga County, 1.8 acres are converted and lost to development of some kind. We are losing almost twice as much as we are protecting.” He added, “We are working hard and making the changes necessary to enable PLAN to pick up the pace of land protection and trail connections for the benefit of all. But we can’t do it alone. So, please, let’s pull on our bootstraps starting tonight and work together as a community to protect the lands most important to us!”
For more information, call (518) 587-5554, or visit www.saratogaplan.org.
Saranac Lake Civic Center Upgrades Dasher Boards Ahead of 2025-26 Ice Season
Saranac Lake, NY – The Saranac Lake Civic Center reopened for the 2025-26 ice season on Sunday, Sept. 28, with a safety and infrastructure upgrade in place: a replacement of its nearly 25-year-old dasher board facing.
Dasher boards—also known as hockey boards—form the lower perimeter of an ice rink and play a crucial role in both safety and game play. Over the summer, the Civic Center undertook a significant renovation, replacing aging and deteriorated components with new ½-inch HDPE (high-density polyethylene) panels. This durable material is renowned for its high impact resistance, smooth finish, moisture resistance, and low maintenance requirements.
“The dasher board system was installed in 2001 and the facing was coming to the end of its 20-25-year lifespan,” said Matt Wolter, Operations Manager at the Civic Center. “We’ve made ongoing repairs over the years, but replacement of the facing was overdue. This project will support safe and enjoyable play for another two decades or more.”
Dasher boards and rink shielding systems are essential to protecting both players and spectators during hockey and other on-ice events. Without the entire system in optimal condition, the risk of injury increases significantly.
The upgrade was completed during the summer months between regular events like roller skating, the Saranac Lake High School graduation, and the popular Antique Show. By replacing only the facing and kickplates with HDPE panels while preserving the existing structural frames, the Civic Center was able to avoid the high cost of a full system replacement. This approach was key for the nonprofit organization.
“The Civic Center staff worked hard to complete the project in time for the new season,” said Marnie Crane, a Civic Center representative. “We’re excited to show the community the improvements.”
Learn more about the Saranac Lake Civic Center, here.
Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Company awarded $142,400 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program:
The Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. announced that it has been awarded $142,400 in federal funding through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With the required 5% local match of $7,120, this brings the total approved budget to $149,520.
Caroga Lake is in the southern Adirondack Mountains of Fulton County, New York. Known for its forests, lakes, and year-round outdoor recreation, the community is home to just over 1,200 residents. Like many rural towns across upstate New York, Caroga Lake relies heavily on its volunteer fire company to provide essential emergency services across a wide geographic area.
This critical funding will be used to purchase 24 complete sets of new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)/Turnout Gear, ensuring the safety of firefighters while responding to emergencies. Each set includes a jacket, pants, suspenders, two hoods, structural gloves, helmet, and boots. All equipment will meet or exceed NFPA 1971 standards, providing enhanced protection against heat, flames, and hazardous conditions.
Treasurer Brian McIntosh emphasized the importance of this award for the department and community:
“This grant is a tremendous benefit to our rural community,” said McIntosh. “With challenging budgets and the rising cost of living for our residents, the ability to secure this funding means we can properly equip our firefighters without placing an additional burden on local taxpayers. This equipment will directly improve firefighter safety and operational readiness. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our local community for your continued support. Your trust and encouragement fuel our dedication every day.”
The Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Company extends its gratitude to Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for her continued support of the department and the AFG program, as well as to Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for their advocacy in ensuring fire departments across New York have access to this vital federal funding. The grant application was written collaboratively by Julie A. Burline of MJ Burben Inc. and Treasurer Brian McIntosh of the Caroga Lake Volunteer Fire Company.
About the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program: The FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program provides direct financial assistance to fire departments, state fire training academies, and nonaffiliated EMS organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and first responders against fire and related hazards.
For more information on FEMA’s AFG program, click here.
The Otter Lake Volunteer Fire Department receives $64,214.98 through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program:
The Otter Lake Volunteer Fire Department recently announced that the Fire Company has been awarded $64,214.98 in Federal funding through the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.
This funding will enable the fire department to purchase brand-new supply and attack hoses, including 68 lengths of 1 ¾” hose and 5″ supply hose, ensuring firefighters have the safest and most reliable equipment to protect the community.
“This grant doesn’t just benefit the Otter Lake community; it strengthens our entire region,” said Otter Lake Volunteer Fire Chief Eisenhart. “By upgrading our equipment, we’re ensuring safer and more effective responses not only here at home, but also for our mutual aid partners in the Town of Forestport and the Town of Webb. Together, we’re all better protected.”
This marks the department’s third FEMA AFG award since FEMA helped fund the construction of the new Otter Lake fire station. The department gave special thanks to President Tom Abrial and Julie A. Burline of MJ Burben Inc. for writing this successful grant, noting that their efforts directly impact the safety of the community.