DEC Recognizes Adirondack Research for Innovations in Citizen Science

Adirondack Research and Larry Master recognized for Intervale Lowlands Preserve

Saranac Lake, N.Y. (November 17, 2015) ­– Adirondack Research, a Saranac Lake-based ecological research firm, has been awarded one of seven Environmental Excellence Awards by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This award recognizes organizations that demonstrate innovative programs and a commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic viability.

The award gives statewide recognition to Intervale Lowlands Preserve in Lake Placid, NY for outstanding innovative approaches to citizen science, energy efficient green construction, invasive species management, and climate change mitigation. As a privately owned preserve, Intervale Lowlands is unique in winning this award. “Most awardees are businesses and large organizations that have demonstrated cost-saving approaches to environmental sustainability – we [Intervale Lowlands and regional green groups] have demonstrated how private landowners can have a positive impact on the environment by taking advantage of current and cost-effective technologies,” said Ezra Schwartzberg, Director of Adirondack Research. “We have developed a technology-driven landowner management plan that reduces and mitigates the effects of climate change – this is novel”.

The Environmental Excellence award recognizes the cost and carbon savings of the energy efficient residential structures on the preserve. Torrance Construction of Lake Placid consulted with Black Mountain Design-Build of Saranac Lake to manage the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification of the main building, ultimately achieving LEED’s highest rating of LEED Platinum. Black Mountain Design-Build also demonstrated that energy efficient construction of a second residential structure on the preserve was less expensive than a comparable code-built alternative when considering the savings to heating and cooling costs in the Adirondacks. “I can’t say we were surprised, but it was quite striking how apparent the cost savings are when using the available technology and energy incentives offered in NY,” said Jesse Schwartzberg, Owner of Black Mountain Design-Build. “I like how the project turned out. Torrance Construction really leveraged their use of environmentally-friendly construction practices with everything from locally-sourced materials, to natural non-toxic finishes, to all native landscaping.”

The DEC offers this award to publicize and validate these sustainability efforts with hopes that more groups will create similar initiatives. To learn more, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/945.html

The Environmental Excellence Award ceremony took place at the Colleges of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany on November 17th, 2015.