Adaptive Management for Adirondack Park

Establishing the Adirondack Park as a role model for conservation of natural resources

Adirondack Park is perhaps the best place to employ adaptive management because of its size, the integrity of its natural ecosystems, the intense pressure for development, and rich history of scientific study. At 6 million acres, Adirondack Park is among the largest parks in North America. Its public and private land ownership in a 50:50 mixture is different from great parks such as Yellowstone or Everglades, but similar to remaining wilderness ecosystems in the third world.

Now is an ideal time for implementing AMAP because stakeholders are motivated to work together. Biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, sustainable forestry and smart development are the guiding lights for future of the Adirondacks. Yet, all stakeholders struggle in their attempts to applying these concepts. Economic conditions are causing many stakeholders to reconsider their investment in the region. Social conditions are changing with aging demographic characteristics of park residents and environmental activists. Business, government and environmental organizations have witnessed the gridlock created by similar dynamics in the West and are eager to avoid this experience in the