Nature Stewardship

Emerging Stewards Initiative

Developing new generations of Adirondack stewards from marginalized communities throughout New York State, fostering a deep investment in the long-term health of the Park, and spreading the powerful impact of nature. The Initiative runs several programs, including Alternative Spring Break and Claiming Space below.

The Reschovsky Scholarships for Students

Scholarships for children from underserved and historically marginalized communities to attend overnight summer camps in the Adirondacks: experiences and learning opportunities that may not otherwise be available to them.

Alternative Spring Break

College students from BIPOC communities spend their spring break exploring and engaging with the natural world, stepping off campus to discover landscapes they may not have had the chance to experience, or felt confident exploring on their own.

Claiming Space

For outdoor enthusiasts or novices of all ages. ADI welcomes excursion and tourism groups from marginalized communities, introducing participants to the Adirondacks in safe ways that affirm and promote belonging, and inviting them to share what they found within their own networks.

Visitor Use Management Initiative

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is developing a Visitor Use Management plan for the High Peaks. ADI works to ensure the study incorporates both ecological and human protections, that the data addresses safety and inclusion for all visitors and is examined for bias — and aims to survey people who do not visit the Park, to understand what keeps them away.

Land Trust Alliance Initiative

Local land trusts want more people to use their properties. ADI works with them to be intentional about inviting diverse groups to experience and enjoy their lands, so more people from diverse backgrounds benefit from the natural world.