irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $36KCONSERVATION ADVOCACY - RECOMMENDS PUBLIC POLICY POSITIONS TO THE BOD FOR ADOPTION,IMPLEMENTS A BROAD SPECTRUM OF POLICY INITIATIVES CENTERED AROUND THE NYS DEC'S MANAGEMENT AND ACQUISITION OF THE NYS FOREST PRESERVE, AND THE REGULATION OF PRIVATE LAND DEVELOPMENT.
- #2 $32KTHE ADIRONDACK RESEARCH LIBRARY MAINTAINS THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF ADIRONDACK INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS OUTSIDE OF THE PARK BOUNDARIES. IT HAS MAPS, PERIODICALS, TECHNICAL REPORTS, PHOTOS, SLIDES, VIDEO AND AUDIO TAPES AND ARCHIVAL MATERIALS FROM PROMINENT ADIRONDACK CONSERVATIONISTS OF THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP)
Volunteer-driven water quality monitoring program in partnership with Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute; collects long-term data on over 65 lakes and ponds to inform environmental policy and protect aquatic resources.
Adirondack Research Library
Maintains the largest collection of Adirondack informational materials outside the Park, including maps, technical reports, photos, and archival materials from prominent conservationists.
Conservation Advocacy
Policy initiative focused on influencing state management of the Forest Preserve and regulating private land development through research-based positions and public engagement.
NYCO Minerals Investigation
Investigative campaign exposing illegal state lobbying for a mining company's constitutional amendment to allow mineral exploration in protected Forest Preserve lands.
Rutted and Ruined: ATV Damage Investigation
Field investigation documenting environmental damage caused by illegal ATV use on Forest Preserve lands, leading to policy changes and road closures.
The Myth of Motor-Free Waters
Research and advocacy effort analyzing motorized use on Adirondack lakes to promote expansion of quiet, motor-free boating opportunities.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocating for protection and expansion of wilderness areas in the AdirondacksEngages in public advocacy, grassroots organizing, legal action, and policy oversight to protect and expand designated wilderness and primitive areas in the Adirondack Park, including successful efforts to expand the High Peaks Wilderness by over 25,000 acres, designate Boreas Ponds as motorless Wilderness, and oppose snowmobile trail expansions in protected areas.
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Lake and Watershed Monitoring & Assessment 1 activity
- Conducting long-term water quality monitoring in the Adirondack ParkOperates the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP), a citizen science initiative established in 1998 that engages over 200 volunteers to collect monthly water samples from more than 65 lakes and ponds during the summer, producing an annual report and a comprehensive database used to inform policy discussions on issues such as road salt pollution.
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Community Environmental Monitoring and Research 1 activity
- Conducting scientific research and publishing reports on environmental and economic trendsProduces original research and publishes landmark reports on topics including long-term economic and population trends in the Adirondacks compared to other rural regions, environmental damage from ATVs, road salt pollution impacts, and motor-free water access; uses field investigations and data analysis to support advocacy and policy change.
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Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 1 activity
- Managing a public repository for cougar sightings in the AdirondacksOperates Cougar Watch, a program that collects, verifies, and maps public reports of cougar (Puma concolor) sightings in and around the Adirondack Park; investigates credible reports using physical evidence and collaborates with experts to assess potential cougar presence, producing regular public summaries.
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Local History Archival Access 1 activity
- Operating a public research library on Adirondack conservationMaintains the Adirondack Research Library, the largest collection of Adirondack informational materials outside the park, including maps, periodicals, technical reports, photos, slides, and archival media from prominent 19th and 20th-century conservationists; partners with the Kelly Adirondack Center of Union College to preserve and manage this public resource.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$465K
Contributions & grants$403K86%
Program service revenue$23K5%
Investment income$39K8%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$550K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$367K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.63M
Cash$64K
Investments$917K
Liabilities$13K
Net assets$1.62M
Liquid reserves21.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +8.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAUDIA BRAYMER | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $138K |
board members · 24
- ANDY CONEY — DIRECTOR
- BARBARA ROTTIER — VICE CHAIR
- CHARLES CLUSEN — CHAIR
- CHARLIE OLSEN — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS WALSH — SECRETARY
- DALE JEFFERS — DIRECTOR
- DAVID M QUINN — TREASURER
- DEAN COOK — DIRECTOR
- EVELYN GREENE — DIRECTOR
- JAMES DAWSON — DIRECTOR
- JAMES LONG — VICE CHAIR
- JOHN NEMJO — DIRECTOR
- JOHN W CAFFRY — DIRECTOR
- JULIET COOK — DIRECOTR
- LORRAINE DUVALL — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL WILSON — DIRECTOR
- MICHALA HENDRICKSON — DIRECTOR
- NANCY BERNSTEIN — DIRECTOR
- PATTY MORRISON — DIRECTOR
- PETER O'SHEA — DIRECTOR
- PHIL TERRIE — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT C GLENNON — DIRECTOR
- ROGER GRAY — DIRECTOR
- SHEILA HUTT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- Adirondack Land Trust Partner — Collaborates on land protection efforts, as highlighted in coverage of land deals involving Whitney Park and Drake Mountain.
- Adirondack Park Agency Government — Co-defendant with the Department of Environmental Conservation in litigation over Class II snowmobile trail construction; involved in Forest Preserve planning and regulation.
- Adirondack Park Agency Government — Monitors and provides oversight of the Adirondack Park Agency's planning and regulatory activities in the Adirondack Park.
- Adirondack Park Agency Government — State agency subject to independent public oversight by Protect the Adirondacks
- Adirondack Watershed Institute at Paul Smith’s College Partner — Partnership to manage the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program
- Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks Coalition — Predecessor organization consolidated into PROTECT the Adirondacks in 2009
- Cougar Fund Partner — Provides informational resources on cougar identification used by the Cougar Watch project.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Monitors and provides oversight of the Department of Environmental Conservation's management of the Forest Preserve and environmental regulations.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Government — State agency involved in Forest Preserve management; subject of advocacy, investigations, and litigation by Protect the Adirondacks.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Government — State agency subject to independent public oversight by Protect the Adirondacks
- Guidestar Network — Has earned a “Gold” level transparency rating from Guidestar.
- Guidestar Network — Member organization with a "Gold" level transparency rating
- Kelly Adirondack Center Partner — Partner in maintaining the Adirondack Research Library at Union College.
- Kelly Adirondack Center of Union College Partner — Partnership to preserve and manage the Adirondack Research Library
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Partner — Source of educational materials on cougar identification used by the Cougar Watch project.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Engages with NYS DEC on management and acquisition policies for the New York State Forest Preserve.
- Olympic Regional Development Authority Government — Monitors and provides oversight of the Olympic Regional Development Authority's activities in the Adirondack Park.
- Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute Partner — Partner in the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP), a volunteer-driven water quality monitoring initiative.
- Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute Partner — Partner in the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP), collaborating on water quality monitoring and data collection.
- Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute Partner — Partnership to co-manage the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP)
- Residents’ Committee to Protect the Adirondacks Coalition — Predecessor organization consolidated into PROTECT the Adirondacks in 2009
- SUNY Oswego Government — Institution where Dr. John Laundre, whose research on cougar viability is profiled by PROTECT, is affiliated.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Constitutional and Legal Advocacy for "Forever Wild"methodology: constitutional_advocacyBy using litigation and policy advocacy to defend Article 14’s “Forever Wild” clause, the organization ensures permanent protection of public forest lands, because constitutional provisions provide a durable legal foundation that resists political or administrative rollback.
- Grassroots Membership with Legal and Policy Advocacymethodology: grassroots_advocacy_legal_actionBy combining grassroots membership engagement with legal action and policy advocacy, the organization amplifies public influence on environmental protection, because collective civic participation increases political accountability and strengthens enforcement of constitutional safeguards like the "Forever Wild" clause.
- Landscape-Scale Integrated Conservationmethodology: landscape-scale_conservationBy advocating for the integration of protected public wildlands with sustainably managed private lands and resilient rural communities, the organization maintains ecological integrity and supports local economies, because large, connected landscapes enhance biodiversity, recreation access, and long-term stewardship incentives.
- Public Transparency and Inclusive Decision-Makingmethodology: public_transparency_advocacyBy advocating for open, transparent forums in land management decisions, the organization ensures public accountability and informed policymaking, because inclusive processes reduce secrecy, build trust, and incorporate diverse community values into resource governance.
- Research-Based Advocacy with Independent Oversightmethodology: research-based_advocacyBy grounding advocacy in rigorous scientific and policy research and maintaining independent public oversight of agencies, the organization improves environmental decision-making, because evidence-informed scrutiny enhances transparency, accountability, and the quality of land management policies.