named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Bartlett Carry Dam Reconstruction
Rebuilt the failing privately-owned dam in 1993/1994 to prevent a three-foot drop in lake levels; project completed on time and on budget using community-raised funds
Fish Hatchery Pollution Reduction
Successfully sued New York State Department of Environmental Conservation leading to 90% reduction in nutrient pollution from the Lake Clear Fish Hatchery into Upper Saranac Lake’s inlet
Land Use and Development Monitoring
Monitors construction and land use activities around the lake to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and promote smart growth principles
Milfoil Control Program
Three-year, $1.5 million invasive species management project completed on time and on budget to dramatically reduce Eurasian water milfoil; now maintains annual harvest operations to prevent uncontrolled regrowth and spread
Septic System Compliance Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring of residential and commercial septic systems to ensure compliance with New York State environmental regulations and protect water quality
Water Quality Monitoring
Scientific monitoring of lake water quality including sample collection, testing, and analysis; maintains one of the most comprehensive long-term water quality databases in the Adirondacks
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Lake and Watershed Monitoring & Assessment 2 activities
- Monitors and reports on lake water quality through scientific data collectionConducts water quality monitoring, testing, and assessment in partnership with the Adirondack Watershed Institute, maintains a long-term water quality database, and publishes annual reports including State of the Lake and water quality updates from 2013 to 2025.
- Publishes research and management reports on watershed and invasive species issuesReleases annual and periodic reports including the Aquatic Invasive Species Management Report, Watershed Stewardship Program Report, and findings from the Volunteer Asian Clam Survey to inform management and public awareness.
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocates for pollution reduction through legal action and compliance monitoringSuccessfully litigated against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Fish Hatchery, resulting in a 90% reduction in phosphorus discharges, and conducts ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with court-ordered pollution controls.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funds and supports invasive species prevention and lake stewardship programsProvides funding for the development and implementation of invasive species prevention plans, the Lake Steward Program, and community-led legal actions to protect the lake ecosystem.
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Lake Invasive Species Management 1 activity
- Manages aquatic invasive species (AIS) on Upper Saranac Lake and connected waterbodiesOperates an ongoing program to prevent, monitor, and control aquatic invasive species including Eurasian Water Milfoil and Asian Clams, using hand-harvesting, boat inspections, decontamination services, and early detection surveys across Upper Saranac Lake, Follensby Clear Pond, and the Fish Creek watershed.
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 1 activity
- Protects water quality and ecosystems of the Upper Saranac watershedImplements programs to preserve water quality, protect aquatic ecosystems, and maintain the natural character of the Upper Saranac Lake region and connected Adirondack waterways through monitoring, stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Inspects, maintains, and certifies the Bartlett Carry DamPerforms routine safety inspections, maintenance, engineering record-keeping, and annual emergency action plan updates for the Bartlett Carry Dam; ensures compliance with NYS DEC standards and certification through an approved Inspection and Maintenance Protocol.
- Preserves and restores natural areas for public recreationAcquired Tommy's Rock island in 1991, removed existing structures, restored the site to its natural state, and maintains it for public use with restrictions to protect ecological integrity.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$604K
Contributions & grants$484K80%
Program service revenue$35K6%
Investment income$85K14%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$450K
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$282K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.74M
Cash$466K
Investments$1.18M
Liabilities$6K
Net assets$3.74M
Liquid reserves43.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -53.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 14
- ALEXANDER PACKARD — DIRECTOR
- BARRY WOLFE — DIRECTOR
- ERIC KUHN — TREASURER AND DIRECTOR
- JAMES A SCHOFF — DIRECTOR
- JIM BODNAR — SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR
- LEE BAILEY — DIRECTOR
- LYNNE PERRY — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL SHORT — DIRECTOR
- PAM WERNER — DIRECTOR
- PAUL N LEITNER — DIRECTOR
- RAYMOND L MOATS — DIRECTOR
- ROSS S WHALEY — DIRECTOR
- TERRY BIRDSONG — DIRECTOR
- TOM SWAYNE — PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- Adirondack Aquatic Institute (AAI) Partner — Contracted to identify the source of algae blooms and manage early milfoil harvesting efforts.
- Adirondack Land Trust Partner — Joint board service by foundation members reflects an institutional connection supporting land conservation in the region.
- Adirondack Watershed Institute Partner — Collaborates on providing access to free boat wash stations in the Adirondacks as part of invasive species prevention efforts.
- Adirondack Watershed Institute Partner — Collaborates with the Upper Saranac Foundation on the Watershed Stewardship Program.
- Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) Partner — Engaged to develop invasive species control programs, implement stream monitoring, digitize water quality data, and co-host educational workshops.
- Adirondack Watershed Institute at Paul Smiths College Partner — Conducts water sampling and analysis for the Upper Saranac Foundation's water quality monitoring program.
- AdkAction.org Partner — Collaborates with the Upper Saranac Foundation through shared involvement of board members committed to Adirondack region initiatives.
- Appalachian Mountain Club Partner — Former treasurer role by a board member indicates organizational ties to regional outdoor and conservation networks.
- DONALDSON’S CAMPGROUND Partner — Participating partner in the AIS Prevention Partnership Program, implementing Clean, Drained, and Dry watercraft launching guidelines.
- EAGLE ISLAND Partner — Participating partner in the AIS Prevention Partnership Program, implementing Clean, Drained, and Dry watercraft launching guidelines.
- FISH CREEK PARK ASSOCIATION Partner — Participating partner in the AIS Prevention Partnership Program, implementing Clean, Drained, and Dry watercraft launching guidelines.
- Facebook Partner — Follows on Facebook for outreach and updates
- Fish Creek Aquatic Invasive Species Management Partner — Collaborates on aquatic invasive species management in the Fish Creek watershed.
- Guy Middleton Partner — Lake Manager and Volunteer Asian Clam Survey Coordinator who organizes and supports volunteer survey efforts.
- Instagram Partner — Follows on Instagram for outreach and updates
- NYSDEC Government — Regulatory agency with which the Foundation complies regarding dam safety standards and certification.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Subject of legal action by the Foundation, resulting in a court-enforced 90% reduction in pollution from the state fish hatchery; ongoing compliance monitored by the Foundation.
- Pendragon Theatre Partner — Shared regional engagement through board member participation in Adirondack cultural organizations.
- SARANAC SHORES ASSOCIATION Partner — Participating partner in the AIS Prevention Partnership Program, implementing Clean, Drained, and Dry watercraft launching guidelines.
- SEKON ASSOCIATION Partner — Participating partner in the AIS Prevention Partnership Program, implementing Clean, Drained, and Dry watercraft launching guidelines.
- Saranac Inn Partner — Former owner of Tommy's Rock island before it was auctioned in the 1960s.
- The Nature Conservancy Partner — Board member involvement with The Nature Conservancy’s Adirondack Chapter suggests alignment and potential collaboration on conservation efforts.
- The Wild Center Partner — Shared board membership indicates a collaborative relationship focused on environmental and regional stewardship in the Adirondacks.
- UPPER SARANAC LAKE MARINA Partner — Participating partner in the AIS Prevention Partnership Program, implementing Clean, Drained, and Dry watercraft launching guidelines.
- Upper Saranac Lake Association Partner — Cooperates with the Foundation on lake protection initiatives; the Foundation provides funding for the Lake Steward Program and other ad-hoc issues at its request.
- Upper Saranac Lake Association (USLA) Partner — Founded by members of USLA; maintains close working relationship while operating independently as a charitable organization.
- YouTube Partner — Uses YouTube channel to share educational and program content
strategies · 4
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.
- Clean, Drain, Dry Prevention Standardmethodology: clean_drain_dryBy implementing the Clean, Drain, Dry protocol at boat launches, the organization reduces the spread of aquatic invasive species because decontaminating watercraft interrupts the primary vector of species transfer between water bodies.
- Community Science for Early Detectionmethodology: community_scienceBy training and equipping volunteers to conduct standardized surveys, the organization enables early detection of invasive species because community participation expands monitoring capacity across a broad geographic area, increasing the likelihood of timely intervention.
- Science-Based Watershed Stewardshipmethodology: science_based_stewardshipBy integrating scientific monitoring, data analysis, and evidence-based interventions, the organization protects water quality and ecological health because empirical data guides effective, targeted conservation actions that respond to real-time environmental conditions.
- Sustained Manual Invasive Species Controlmethodology: sustained_manual_controlBy employing long-term, labor-intensive removal of invasive aquatic plants, the organization manages persistent ecological threats because continuous physical intervention prevents reinfestation and maintains ecosystem balance where eradication is not feasible.