This year Earth Day is going digital! I know — that doesn't exactly feel earthy, but that doesn't mean there aren’t great ways to celebrate the natural places we love (ahem, the Adirondacks) and fight for a better environmental future. The 2020 theme for Earth Day is climate action, and while that sounds like an enormous challenge, there are plenty of ways to make a difference this year, even while social distancing.
The Adirondack Hub truly is an outdoor lover's paradise. Comprised of four towns along the southern end of the High Peaks Region, the area is home to some of the more wild places within the Adirondacks. Whether you prefer remote canoe camping through the Essex Chain Lakes or hiking the High Peaks, horseback riding, or a day spent boating on Schroon Lake, there is an adventure for every outdoorsman. Now that I’ve teased you with a trip you can't take just yet, read on for 5 ways to celebrate Earth Day and the Adirondack Hub at home!
Plan Future Adventures in the Adirondack Hub
While it might not be time to visit, or even book an upcoming stay, you can start planning by learning more about the wild places surrounding the Schroon Lake region, and what you will need to enjoy them in the future. Our mountains are special, but they are also rugged and remote. It’s important to know your limits and find an adventure appropriate for you!
Sign the Love Your ADK Pledge
You found yourself here, so we already know you love the Adirondacks. Now it’s time to pledge to love these mountains a little more by taking actionable steps to recreate more responsibly. Find out more about signing the Love Your ADK pledge here.
Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace
Understanding the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace is a really great starting point for minimizing impacts when recreating, regardless of the activity. The best thing about education is that it is endless. Even those who are outdoor savvy can work toward being better stewards of the Adirondacks. These principles help.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect Wildlife
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Leave What You Find
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Host a Community Cleanup (For One)
Trash is everywhere and no one is above picking it up. If you live near a trail system or a safe road that could use some TLC, commit a day to cleaning up! Regularly-scheduled community clean ups may be cancelled this year due to necessary social distancing measures, so host one for yourself.
Join a CSA
We all have purchase power and we can use it to better our communities and ourselves. Joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm share, not only guarantees you fresh local vegetables or meat, but supports a farmer near you! Some even deliver right to your door, which means less trips to the grocery store. Double win!
However you choose to celebrate Earth Day, we thank you for caring about our wild places. We can't wait to have you back to adventuring in our region but in the meantime, keep learning more about how to keep the Adirondacks wild for generations to come!
