Category: The Environment

The days and nights are getting cooler but the lake is as beautiful as ever.

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) welcomed friends, donors, and community members to help celebrate the completion of its new “Teresa M. and George E. Lawrence Memorial Gazebo” at the beloved Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob in Fort Ann, Tuesday, July 29.

After the LGLC purchased the Schumann Preserve in 2000, the gazebo served to provide a place of respite for tens of thousands of hikers each year. After so much use, the wooden structure needed more than repairs, and with the help of many generous donors the LGLC replaced the entire structure this spring, and made related trail improvements leading up to the gazebo. The new structure, designed and built by Tahawus Trails, keeps the look and feel of the previous iconic gazebo, with upgrades for safety and longevity.

LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn welcomed those in attendance and gave thanks to the many donors who made the new gazebo possible, particularly the Lawrence family, The Makowski Trust, Boats by George, Steve and Dee Haraden, Anne and George Morris, CDPHP, Adirondack Pub and Brewery, and many others.

The Teresa M. and George E. Lawrence Memorial Gazebo gives tribute to George and Teresa Lawrence, who began a tradition of vacations in Lake George in the 1960s, including annual treks to the Schumann Preserve gazebo, and continues to this day for their children and grandchildren. Their daughter Loretta Lawrence Keane and granddaughter Katy spoke on behalf of the family about the significance of the gazebo, and their history with the LGLC.

Loretta Lawrence Keane explained, “Our history with the Lake George Land Conservancy goes back to 2009, when we called their office because we wanted to make a gift in in our father’s memory. It was then the idea of dedicating the gazebo was offered—and it was perfect. And over these years our trips to the lake now included a trip to this special place.

“In 2023, we again began a conversation with the folks at the LGLC about renovating the gazebo and renaming it for both our parents. We were thrilled that there was interest in doing even more—the full replacement of the gazebo that we see here.”

“Today,” she continued, “the Teresa M. and George E. Lawrence Memorial Gazebo is being dedicated in recognition of the lifetime of memories our mother and father—grandmother and grandfather—created for their family and friends. This is now a place of their own, on their favorite mountains, overlooking their favorite lake, Lake George.”

The ribbon cutting was presided over by Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Mintzer and Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tricia Rogers, both of whom expressed their gratitude to the Lawrence family and other donors, and to the LGLC for providing such an important and popular destination for residents and tourists alike.

Photo credits: Ribbon Cutting photo by Janice Prichett; scenic photo by Monica Dore. (Click image to see larger version.)

Kayakers explored the area near the Homer Point Wetlands, shown here, during the LGLC’s 2024 Hike-A-Thon. Photo by Carl Heilman, II/Wild Visions, Inc. (Click image to see larger version.)

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has permanently protected 45 acres in Huddle Bay and along Homer Point Road in the Town of Bolton.

The protected land is nearly 90% wetlands, including emergent wetland that shares 2,500 feet of shoreline with Lake George. The wetlands preserve water quality by naturally filtering pollutants, sediments, and excess nutrients before they can enter the lake.

The wetlands on the property include several ecosystem types, including a black spruce-tamarack bog that is uncommon in the area. The conservation of this rare ecosystem provides critical habitat to a wide variety of animals for shelter, food, and breeding. Evidence of deer, black bear, bobcat, coyote, and small mammals has been observed on the property.

The LGLC purchased the land in a bargain sale from the Gillies family, who wished to see the sensitive land permanently protected from development.

“This natural land will forever protect the water quality of Lake George while providing important wildlife habitat and scenic enjoyment to residents and visitors alike,” said LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn. “We are grateful to the Gillies family for choosing to work with the LGLC and for their generous contribution towards this important project.”

“We are so excited to partner with the LGLC to make sure this sensitive wetland property is conserved in perpetuity,” said the Gillies family. “Our family has been enjoying Lake George for decades and we are pleased to be able to do our small part in protecting the lake. We would like to thank the LGLC for their efforts on this project and overall leadership to preserve important lands in the lake’s watershed.”

The protection of these 45 acres is made possible through a partial donation by the Gillies family, and through funding from a Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant, which is awarded and administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).