Nature Stewardship

Visitor Use Management Initiative

A hiking group celebrating with arms raised on a bare Adirondack summit, mountains behind

Preserving the Adirondack Park is central to our mission, and truly effective stewards are formed through physically visiting and experiencing the park’s natural wonder and beauty. We must ensure that the park attracts a diverse range of visitors, implements any restrictions with caution, and makes all visitors feel welcome and safe throughout their stay. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is developing a Visitor Use Management (VUM) Plan for the High Peaks region. The VUM is designed to enhance sustainable visitor experiences, employing data-driven strategies to create adaptive plans for high-use areas. ADI is committed to ensuring that the study comprehensively incorporates ecological and human protections, that the data collected addresses safety and inclusion for all visitors, and that the data is examined for potential bias. Additionally, we aim to survey individuals who do not visit the park to identify and understand the barriers preventing them from visiting.