05/30/2026
Send an Email by June 1 to Stand up for Adirondack Wilderness Values!
In April, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a draft Visitor Use Management (VUM) report for parts of the High Peaks Wilderness in the Adirondacks. This report represents a meaningful step toward protecting the environment and visitor experience by better managing the increasing use at some of New York’s most popular outdoor destinations.
Popular destinations like Cascade Mountain and other High Peaks summits continue to experience high levels of use, contributing to significant ecological damage and diminishing visitor experiences. The VUM framework, developed and implemented across National Parks and other federal lands facing similar challenges, holds great potential for the Adirondacks. Without thoughtful, science-based management, these impacts will only intensify over time. The draft VUM report provides DEC with foundational tools to respond, but meaningful public input will be essential to advancing this work.
How You Can Help
Please email the DEC by June 1 to affirm that this draft report is a step in the right direction, and tell them to:
Hold additional public meetings – both in person across the state and virtually.
Commit to future studies that include biological, physical, and social impacts.
Invest in solutions for education and visitor information, transportation and parking, management, and ongoing monitoring.
Identify funding needs to implement management actions and long‑term monitoring.
Use permit systems only as a last resort, after other techniques have proven unsuccessful.
DEC officials need to hear from you! Please send your email by June 1. You may submit your email as-is or personalize it to your liking: https://adirondackcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/161429/
