CAP-21 is collaborating with Adirondack environmental scientists, design firms and the Central Adirondack Arts and Science Advocacy group (CAASA), to develop ecotourism in conjunction with research and education in the Town of Webb.
Over thirty people attended an April 10 public meeting hosted by CAP-21 at the Old Forge Library, where they had an opportunity to hear and offer ideas on the project.
The meeting featured presentations by both Phinney Design and ELAN Planning & Design of Saratoga Springs.
Also present at the meeting were representatives of CAASA, authors of the proposed Central Adirondacks Laboratory for Environmental Studies (CALES) project.
The CALES project first received funding from the State Department of New York in 2009, according to CAP-21 Director Nick Rose.
The initial plan proposed development of a residential research center, to be based in the old Arts Center building. When that plan proved unfeasible, research and discussion began on how to proceed.
The establishment an environmental trail was discussed. This would potentially connect the Town of Webb with other Adirondack locations, such as The Wild Center in Tupper Lake and the Environmental School of Forestry in Newcomb. And it would require collaboration with other organizations.
Both design companies spoke of a cultural trail called The Crooked Road, which was established in Virginia.
This trail connects nine communities based on a common interest in bluegrass and rural Appalachian music. It has become a huge generator of tourism for that region, according to CAP-21’s Rose.
Components of environmental education for school kids, research, health and wellness are being considered for an Adirondack trail, according to Rose.
“It will take people who are committed to those kinds of approaches,” he said.
Planners believe that a program which contains various other aspects, such as education and wellness emphases, may also be able to support a research component. They would like to see research conducted on a range of topics related to Adirondack flora and fauna.
“With ecotourism, I believe there’s an untapped market here,” Rose said. “We’ve got so many people here who know so much. There were three people with PhD’s in Environmental Science at the meeting. There is untapped talent in the area. There are people who know how to lead river tours and put together events.”
“We really need some of those people to start coming together and figuring some of this out. Our CAP-21 role would be to find resources for people to do this, but we’re not the experts in environmental sciences,” Rose said.
People who attended the April 10 meeting were asked to give their feedback on the presentation made that evening. A final report will be written up thereafter.
Once completed, the report will be accessible at www.CAP-21.org.
CAP-21 welcomes input from anyone with ideas for the project. Those can be shared by sending them to Nick Rose at info@CAP-21.org or nrose@CAP-21.org.
