The 72,508-acre Lake George Wild Forest is located in the southeastern portion of the Adirondack Park and is part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. It is one of the most popular areas of the Adirondacks because of the numerous and varied outdoor recreational opportunities and the proximity to large population centers and Lake George. Parts of the wild forest sit on both sides of the lake. The 5,550-acre Hudson River Special Management Area, also known as the Hudson River Recreation Area, or sometimes simply Buttermilk, is located on the eastern shore of the Hudson River in the Lake George Wild Forest. The unit had hiking trails and hand launches.
The Morgan Duke Conservation Society was founded in 2013 by James Sullivan, inspired by his experiences camping with his family in the undeveloped, dense forests of the Lake George Wild Forest in the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Over the years, James witnessed significant environmental damage, including vandalism and vegetation destruction caused by visitors. The Hudson River Recreation Area in the Lake George Wild Forest motivated James to establish the Society, and in 2014, he signed the first Volunteer Stewardship Agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to protect this vital ecosystem.
The organization began with a small group of volunteers, including James’ family members, who dedicated their weekends to activities such as litter collection, outhouse maintenance, and tree planting for reforestation. These efforts were crucial in restoring the land, once owned by a utility company that logged the area for utility poles. As the appointed Volunteer Steward through the DEC, James witnessed various challenges, including underage drinking, reckless vehicle use, and other disruptive behaviors.
In response to the increasing environmental pressures, particularly after the onset of COVID-19, James decided to expand the organization’s efforts beyond New York. The Morgan Duke Conservation Society now operates in additional states, including Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and other locations within New York State, such as the Adirondack Forest Preserve and Catskill Park.
Environmental Challenges:
The Hudson River Special Management Area has become very popular over the years, leading to environmental challenges facing this area. These challenges include littering, people stepping on vegetation and damaging it, and setting up campsites along the Hudson River, which damages the vegetation that protects the Hudson River water.
What is Morgan Duke Conservation Society doing?
Since 2013, the Morgan Duke Conservation Society has had a DEC Volunteer Stewardship Agreement and Operations Plan to help protect the ecosystem, environment, and natural resources in the Hudson River Special Management Area. There are about 13+ Conservation Volunteers who are residents that walk along the trails and campsites throughout the area a few times a week in spring and summer, conducting litter patrol to pick up litter. Conservation Volunteers also document the type of garbage they pick up and how many pounds for the Morgan Duke Conservation Society’s environmental conservation reports.
Volunteer Steward James Sullivan, along with the volunteers, organizes community clean-up events at the Hudson River Special Management Area in Lake Luzerne, New York a few times a year. At the same time, they educate the public about the “leave no trace” principles.
Morgan Duke Conservation Society DEC Volunteer Stewardship Agreement (PDF)
Buttermilk & Bear Slides Facebook
