Assembly Resolution No. 593

BY: M. of A. Simpson

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of ADK
Mountain Club

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of
organizations and individuals who are committed to the preservation of
our natural environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the
distinctive features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being
of the areas in which they exist; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of ADK Mountain Club, to be recognized
with a myriad of events throughout the year, including a Centennial
Celebration, Fall Outing and the ADK Memorial Pathway; and

WHEREAS, Founded on April 17, 1922 and based out of the Adirondack
Park in New York State, Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is a leader in
outdoor education, offering dozens of programs each year ranging from
map and compass basics to rock-climbing skills and school-based
programs; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, ADK staffs and manages the Adirondack High
Peaks Summit Stewardship Program, which plays an integral role in
protecting fragile alpine plants and their ecosystems on the state's
highest peaks, such as Marcy, Colden, and Algonquin; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the organization has worked to
increase access to the backcountry by building trails, conserving
natural areas, and developing a stewardship community which supports the
ethical and safe use of New York's outdoor spaces; and

WHEREAS, A member, donor, and volunteer-supported organization, ADK
reaches across New York State through its 27 chapters to inspire people
to enjoy the outdoors ethically; and

WHEREAS, New York State's leader in modern, sustainable trail
design, ADK's professional and volunteer trail crews have the tools to
create a more sustainable future for all to explore the outdoors;
additionally, its definitive guidebooks and maps, written and designed
by accomplished outdoorsmen, help visitors find their way along just
about any trail in the Adirondacks and Catskills; and

WHEREAS, From collaborating with state and local groups to alleviate
the impact of high use on the most popular trails, to combatting
invasive pests such as hemlock wooly adelgid, ADK's advocacy team works
tirelessly to conserve wild lands and waters and promote its mission;
and

WHEREAS, For a century, ADK has played a pivotal role in protecting
the Adirondack Park through education while building a statewide
community of stewards, advocates, and recreators; landmark achievements

for this vital organization include building the 138-mile
Northville-Placid Trail in 1924, publishing the first guidebook for the
Adirondacks in 1934, consistently defending constitutional protections
for the Forest Preserve between the 1940s and 1960s, founding the Ridge
Runner Program in 1974, co-founding the Adirondack High Peaks Summit
Stewardship Program in 1989, developing a successful school outreach
program in 2003, and more; and

WHEREAS, Today, with more than 30,000 members, 50 full-time staff,
and thousands of donors and volunteers, ADK has truly cemented itself as
a crucial voice for New York's public land and waters; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, ADK works to protect New
York State wild lands and waters by promoting responsible outdoor
recreation and building a statewide constituency of land stewardship
advocates; and

WHEREAS, The success of ADK is in direct correlation to the efforts
of its volunteer Board of Directors and dedicated staff, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as ADK which work tirelessly on behalf
of protecting our natural surroundings for the benefit of present and
future generations of New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of ADK Mountain Club; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ADK Mountain Club.