Members of the Susquehanna chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). The group is celebrating the ADK’s centennial year with public outings and hikes throughout Otsego, Delaware, and Chenango counties. (Submitted photo)

ONEONTA – The Susquehanna Chapter of Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) is excited to join in a year of celebration in honor of the organization’s centennial anniversary.

Founded in 1922, ADK has played a pivotal role in protecting the Adirondack Park through education while building a statewide community of stewards, advocates, and recreators.

The Susquehanna Chapter was formed in 1977 to help further this mission through community engagement and outreach.

On December 5, 1921, a group gathered in the Log Cabin atop the Abercrombie & Fitch in New York City. Their goal: to create an organization that would help the state develop trails, share backcountry information, and educate the public about conservation and responsible recreation. The following spring, on April 25, 1922, the Adirondack Mountain Club was formed.

A century later, ADK has cemented itself as a crucial voice for New York’s public lands and waters. With over 30,000 members, 27 chapters, 50 full-time staff, and thousands of donors and volunteers, it provides many services that echo the vision of its founders. With ADK, people can learn backcountry skills, adopt and maintain trails, advocate for conservation issues, and much more. It is through these efforts that ADK’s greatest strength becomes apparent: community.

“ADK’s century of success has been driven by the actions of its supporters,” said Tom Andrews, ADK President. “Whether that be advocating for environmental protections in the state legislature or introducing the next generation to the outdoors through local hikes, we have an active community of land stewards that are always present on the frontline of these issues.”

The Susquehanna Chapter of ADK, based out of Oneonta, NY, will be participating in the centennial celebration by offering public outings throughout Otsego, Delaware and Chenango counties. The chapter will also be offering hikes included in ADK’s Fire Tower Challenge, which entails summiting current fire towers located within the Adirondack and Catskill State Parks.

“The Susquehanna chapter is excited to be celebrating ADK’s centennial anniversary” said Aleda Koehn, Co-Chair of the Susquehanna Chapter of ADK. “For 45 years, our chapter has been offering opportunities for individuals to learn about and protect the outdoors within our region and throughout the Adirondacks. Our chapter members are passionate about the outdoors, conservation and education, and we are always looking for new ways to introduce the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts to ADK.”

Learn more about ADK’s centennial celebration online at ADK.org. To get involved with Susquehanna chapter’s activities, go to www.susqadk.org.

– From the Susquehanna Chapter of Adirondack Mountain Club