The Adirondack Land Trust is raising the $4.1 million needed to finalize the purchase of a conservation easement by Dec. 31. By limiting development and other land uses, the conservation easement will ensure that the VIC forest lands remain forests forever.

This northern Adirondack property ranges in elevation from 1,596 feet above sea level at the outlet of an unnamed pond along Keese Mills Road to 2,488 feet at the summit of Jenkins Mountain and borders more than 100,000 acres of protected lands. It provides habitat for black-backed woodpecker, boreal chickadee, bobcat, moose, and other wildlife.

Visited by an estimated 35,000 visitors per year, the VIC forest lands offer outstanding outdoor recreation and nature appreciation opportunities and contribute to the college’s annual economic impact of $56 million.

The natural features protected by the easement include:

– Mixed northern hardwood forests

– 15 water bodies, including Long and Black ponds, which provide habitat for a self-sustaining population of heritage-strain brook trout

– 9 miles of natural shoreline, including a half-mile on Osgood Pond

– Lowland boreal habitat where white-fringed orchids grow and deep peatlands store carbon

“The countless ‘firsts’ that happen on the VIC forest lands — a kid’s first diagonal stride on cross-country skis, a birder’s first scarlet tanager sighting, a student’s introduction to Adirondack ecosystems — tell a powerful story,” said Adirondack Land Trust Executive Director Mike Carr. “That’s the real magic of connecting with place. Now, thanks to the college’s foresight and deep commitment, everyone who loves this land can be a part of securing its lasting conservation.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Adirondack Land Trust for making it possible to extend the College’s long-standing commitment to land stewardship through this conservation easement. For decades, Paul Smith’s College has cared for these lands as a living classroom for our students and as a treasured resource for the broader community. This partnership ensures that our students, faculty, visitors, and neighbors will continue to explore, study, and enjoy these forests and waters–now with the added assurance that they will be protected forever,” said Paul Smith’s College President Dr. Dan Kelting.

Paul Smith’s College continues to own the land. Under the conservation easement, the Adirondack Land Trust has a legal responsibility to uphold the ecological objectives of the easement to ensure that natural systems are protected.

Going forward, the VIC forest lands can continue to provide educational and community benefits, including:

– Serving as a living forestry and ecological classroom for students

– Hosting 25 miles of trail available to the public for hiking, birdwatching, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing, including the western anchor of the 30-mile Paul Smiths-to-Keene Jackrabbit Ski Trail

– Operating a visitor center, which also provides event space for activities such as the Great Adirondack Birding Celebration

– Providing native brook trout broodstock for New York State’s stocking program

– Managing a Forest Inventory and Analysis plot that contributes to a national data set on forest health

“At Paul Smith’s, we teach that conservation is about more than preserving land–it’s about ensuring its continued value to people and place. The Adirondack Land Trust is an exceptional partner in that work. Together, we’re protecting these forests so they can keep serving students, scientists, and the broader community for generations, “ said Paul Smith’s College Dean of the Faculty Dr. Brett McLeod.

To learn more about the VIC Forestlands Conservation Project and the Adirondack Land Trust’s work more broadly, join them for a free event at the Paul Smith’s College VIC on Thursday, July 10, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. or the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake on July 31.