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# 507 Fund for the Summit Stewardship Program
of the Adirondack High Peaks
#507 Fund was seeded in August 2014 for the sole purpose of supporting the Adirondack High Peaks Summit Stewardship Program (SSP), one of the most acclaimed hiker education programs in the Northeastern United States. The SSP is dedicated to preserving the last vestiges of New York State’s alpine vegetation, educating hikers on how to protect sensitive vegetation, trail maintenance and research. Much of its work is conducted on the summits of the tallest Adirondack High Peaks by trained stewards.
The creation of the SSP was inspired by the late Dr. Edwin Ketchledge (Forty-Sixer #507) to protect and restore Adirondack summit meadows, which he described as “islands of history’’ and “a 10,000 year-old-museum.” Founded in 1990, the SSP is administered by the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) in partnership with the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Why support the SSP?
Despite its stellar reputation the program remains underfunded. #507 Fund’s objective is to secure the program’s long-term future and expand its reach by supplementing the current annual funding arrangement with a perpetual annual income stream. To fulfil its mission, the SSP needs more funding in order to put stewards on the highest summits in the Adirondacks and to extend the number of days that stewards currently spend on the busiest peaks. The SSP engages in critical research about the ecology of the alpine zone and visitor behavior; the #507 Fund will allow the program to grow this component. In addition, the program’s education, trail maintenance and research efforts need to be expanded to encourage shoulder season and winter users to protect alpine plants by staying on solid rock or deep snow. With more funding visibility, the SSP would be able to plan over a longer horizon, and devote the considerable time and effort now required to secure financing each year towards achieving its mission.
Fund administration
#507 Fund is hosted and managed by the Adirondack Foundation of Lake Placid (https://www.adirondackfoundation.org/), an accredited community foundation, which receives all donations. Annual disbursements by #507 Fund to the SSP are determined by the policies of the Adirondack Foundation, as approved by its Board of Trustees, and are in compliance with relevant legislation.
Long-term goal
#507 Fund's goal is to reach $1 million. As of September 2022, it’s standing at $202,348. In 2016 the Fund was able to make its first yearly distribution, helping cover a portion of the salary for one summit steward. Five years later thanks to your continuous support the 2022 grant from #507 was $7,600!
Many individuals and organizations have helped get #507 Fund off to a promising start. Early donors include the Adirondack 46ers, the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, Adirondack Mountain Club, its chapters and members, Adirondack Council and others.
Thank you to all our donors.
* The Summit Stewardship Program READ MORE
